would you have a sweep tomorrow? (40+2)

[aroha77]

Midwife has offered it and I'm not sure.
My sister thinks I should go for it but she is pro-intervention cos she's a Dr! Also wants me to have it this week as she's on holiday next week!
My gut instinct is it feels a bit early? Don't want to start things off if body not ready. On other hand definitely want to avoid induction in hospital.
Can't find much evidence on pros vs cons.
Any opinions?
Thanks:)

I think a sweep will only work if your body is ready anyway? If you're not sure then don't do it, I had 2 and went into labour the night of the second one. Not convinced the sweep had anything to do with it though!

I don't think there's any evidence that sweeps start labour off, but the midwife could get an idea about whether you're anywhere near or still a way off.

I think you should just go for it, you never know she might not even be able to do it due to your cervix not been dilated enough. A sweep will not make it happen it just gives you a helping hand, push in the right direction although your heading that way anyway. It's slightly uncomfortable but I'd much prefer to have that than be induced. Good luck, whatever you decide!

If you get as far as 40+12 are you going to agree to being induced? If so then I'd have the sweep and fingers crossed it gets things moving.

I wouldn't. They can hurt like hell if attempted too early. And I hate all that poking around they do. Had minimal intrusion in second pregnancy and felt much happier for t.

Personally I wouldn't! Always believed my DC will come when they want to so I refused a sweep despite the nurse practically demanding I have one.

I personally wouldn't. I left DS, but then he was so overdue that they had to induce me as they were worried about the levels of amniotic fluid.

They're just going to poke you around, it'll hurt, and isn't medically necessary.

No way.

Would you have had one at 37+2?

Both gestations are full term :)

If you were post term (42+) I might say yes

Get on that birthing ball!

And you avoid induction by declining induction your body, your birth, your choice.

If concerned about baby request active monitoring

I had a multitude of sweeps with my incredibly overdue DCs, but the only one that 'worked' was with DD at 40+10 and tbh I'd imagine she would have come anyway. They don't work unless your body is ready - if you don't want one, don't have one. I used to go along with them because they never hurt me (I get that they are uncomfortable for some people) and they diverted attention from the induction issue. I had an induction with DS2 due to a failing placenta and it's not something I wanted to do again unless absolutely necessary.

I had a sweep at 40+3 weeks. It was painful, (I felt like a stuffed turkey!) and nothing happenned until about 3 days later. I had the feeling he was going to make an appearance there and then anyway!

Up to you. If you don't mind internal exams too much and you want baby out then go for it.
My ex swears it was the nutmeg chickpea and potato curry that go things moving in the end though!

I turned one down at 40+3 and went into labour naturally just hours later!

I think I would have had one post 41 weeks to try and avoid induction at 42 weeks, but wanted to give my body that bit more time first

One of the risks of sweeps is starting a long latent labour. While that isn't a bad thing for the baby it can mean when labour starts you are already tired from several days of contractions which means you might be quite and fed up.

No. The evidence for sweeps making any difference is patchy at best (and that's being quite charitable).

I had two and still went to 42 weeks and needed induced. It's not exactly pleasant but neither is smear test or labour. Personal choice!

Personally no, I wouldn't. This time round I declined a sweep at 41 weeks. I would have declined at my next appointment at 41+5, but I'd already had two days of patchy contractions and thought it might be worth ago to see if it could nudge things along. If there weren't signs things were gearing up, I'd have said no then too.

It's possible that is why you had a long latent labour mine was closer to ten days. After having mine I've read more and more about latent labour being linked with sweeps and the fact it often isn't mentioned as a risk before it is performed.

For some people having a long latent labour is fine but I think it depends on your head space because latent labour takes a lot out of you emotionally. I coped Ok with mine but mainly because they seamed to stop at night so I was getting some ok sleep.

Thanks so much for all your replies! Decided to wait till next week in the end (particularly after reading this -onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000451.pub2/full)

Keeping my fingers crossed! Xx