Sweeps and inductions

[moomin35]

Please can someone tell me/explain in what instances sweeps and inductions are offered? thanks

I'm sure there are much more knowledgeable people about but I just wanted to bump this for you.

I had a sweep and subsequently an induction with my DS because I had cholestasis. I was being monitored every day but they wanted him out.

Only had one child, one sweep and no induction so am not much use... But my understanding is sweeps are usually offered when a mother hits term or overdue. Sometimes 2 or 3 may be offered before resorting to induction.
Inductions are usually booked for no later than 2 weeks overdue but sometimes sooner if mother is really fed up, baby is measuring quite large or there are other complications (diabetes, pre-eclampsia, age etc).
Not quite sure where you're at so hard to know what info you're looking for!

If you have any problems in pregnancy like pgp or something they may offer a sweep once you've hit 37 weeks before they'll resort to induction.

If you're very fed up with being pregnant and you have a sympathetic midwife, they may give you a sweep if you ask nicely. It'll only work if your body is ready and the baby is playing his or her part too though.

I was offered a sweep when i went past my due date, which i declined. I then had to be induced as my waters broke without going into labour, leaving the baby vulnerable to infection (did leave it for a week but needed daily monitoring at hospital to make sure everything was ok).

Do you mean because of pregnancy complications, or just because you're interested in what happens when on dates?

Thanks justinepants

My due date is 31st May but this is based on 40 weeks. I have had no complications to date (36 weeks) but just wondered if I might be offered a sweep or induction after 37 weeks (just clinging onto hope that I don't have to "suffer" pregnancy for too much longer!!)

No, they won't offer you anything until at least 40 weeks unless there are reasons to be concerned about you or your baby.

In my area second/subsequent pregnancies you get offered a sweep at 41 weeks. Not sure if it's 40 or 41 for first timers. And they don't offer induction until +14.

I know the end of pregnancy can be grim, but trying to force them out before they are ready can be pretty counterproductive for everyone.

Sorry, not disagreeing with previous posts. The first para should also say 'in my area'.

With no complications they won't induce till about 12-14 days over. You can ask for a sweep from about 39 weeks and see what they say... As others have mentioned a sweep won't work anyway unless you're already on the way yourself.

ok thanks guys that's good to know

I was induced at 37w for high BP and protein (wasn't pre eclampsia yet but they thought it was likely to develop). Was also given a sweep but it was half an hour before they started the induction, just to try and give things a helping hand rather than to try and prevent me needing induction.

I would've been induced at 40 weeks anyway for complications with my body. Normal practice in my area is sweeps from 40 weeks, induction at no later than term + 10 days, if the pregnancy is complication free.