To Sweep or Not to Sweep - WWYD?

[MotherOfGlob]

I'm 40+4 and due to see the midwife tomorrow. She will offer me a sweep again (I declined on due date) and I'm in 2 minds for a couple of reasons.

When I had a sweep with DS1 at 40+3 it was the start of a very painful 4 day slow labour which may or may not have been caused by the sweep. I'm scared of this happening again.

Plus, it's DS1's birthday in 2 days and I'd rather not be in labour then if possible!
If still no signs I'd be induced at 40+12. Would you wait for this or have the sweep?

TIA

Bump

I've no experience as such I was offered one at term as was measuring big but declined as I'd heard they quite often don't work anyway, baby came of his own accord the following day

I had a couple, I think they helped. If I go overdue again I'd have them again. Low risk, not totally pleasent, but worth a shot to avoid induction

I would not have the sweep, personally. I had one once and it was horrendous. I'd rather be induced. Good luck whatever happens!

I had a sweep at 39+4 to try and avoid my planned induction on my due date (ds was measuring small). I found it incredibly uncomfortable and it didn't work. That said, if I wanted to get on with things then I'd have it done again.

It sounds like you're in no rush, so there doesn't seem much point for you right now. You could maybe give it a go after your ds's bd?

I'd avoid induction if poss (some people don't mind them, but mine took 4 days and was pretty painful so I'm not a fan!)

Thanks All.

That's what I'm thinking shhhhSleeping , I'd probably rather be at home for days with a slow labour than stuck in hospital being monitored with not much happening. But sweeps really are bloody uncomfortable!

That's great info sixinabed , was going to ask more about induction being super painful. Think I will go for the sweep tomorrow.

Thanks All

Just had sweep. Not painful at all this time! Fingers crossed

I ha a sweep on my second baby's due date (first was born on time).

I wasn't prepared for how excruciatingly painful it would be.

In my case it worked though - I went into labour the next afternoon.

If you would prefer to wait until after your son's birthday maybe skip it this time around?

I'm refusing them as my baby still high and from past experience it was therefore pointless and difficult.

I had one, was surprised how uncomfortable I found it (smears, miscarriage treatments, etc previously never physically bothered me. The sweep felt very invasive, if not exactly painful. I was going to be induced the following day anyway so thought it worth a go. Induction went ahead but I only needed the gels, not the drip. I don't think the sweep had any bearing on this.

As far as I know, the evidence on them is not hugely strong so it isn't a compelling case but perhaps ask your doctor chances of success? I personally would be hugely nervous though about leaving induction to 40+12 - seems very late to me considering induction can take another while to work. So perhaps yes delay a little if your daughter's birthday is that significant but maybe consider a sweep or induction a bit earlier than +12. I personally don't know if I'd bother with a sweep again or not, I found induction itself on balance fine.

I assume an earlier poster who said "ended up with an induction at 44+4" had a typo - otherwise that is utterly horrifyingly risky in my view.

Thanks all.

Update! Henry George was born on 13th June after a 2.5hr labour and was nearly born in the car

sixinabed photo attached

Glad your sweep worked for you! Congrats!

I had one yesterday at 40+1, wasn't painful in the slightest, she managed to 'walk it forward', was 1cm and stretchy but still a little long.

Had some aches and pains yesterday but all gone away today.... Zzzzzzzzz....

Booked in for a second one next week.

Good luck mellmumma!