Sweep at 38 weeks

[Samantha003]

Hi, just wondering if anyone can offer their experience of a sweep at 38 weeks. Did it bring any joy ?

Also I had a sweep only no stretch - why would that be ??

Thanks xo

Hi, I had a sweep at 38+2 as I was booked in for an induction for 5 days time and they told me a sweep would help ripen cervix/possibly make induction easier.

Sweep Thursday late afternoon,
Mucous plug went Friday evening,
Waters went Sunday afternoon but contractions didn't start so induced a day earlier than planned 24 hours after waters went, baby out in 4 and a half hours from pessary going in.

So I would say my sweep was successful. I did have two sweeps in my first pregnancy when I was overdue and they did naff all though!

Not sure about the sweep/stretch, I thought they see the same thing and they do both at the same time.

I posted similar post a couple of weeks ago when I got a sweep at 37 weeks as I was convinced it was too early to do anything useful. I was correct! Had a sweep at 38 weeks too which also did nothing and was then induced at 38+2, so it didn't work for me, but I'll bet for some others it will have done the trick. Good luck OP!

I had a sweep yesterday at 38+1, and today have lost my plug but nothing else yet. Hoping things will happen soon before I'm induced next Monday!

Thanks for reply. Yeah I'm a bit confused about the sweep not stretch. From what I've read on google, you have a stretch if they can't sweep as cervix not ready ? But I thought they came as a pair myself ?!

Why did you have the sweep so early?

Just had an internal and Ob said if I was favourable she could perform a sweep if I wanted. So as I was, I agreed. She said I was favourable but cervix still long. Hoping sweep kick starts further effacing ...

Ahhh ok, in my trust they won't perform one before 40 weeks so was just curious :)

I had a sweep, no stretch at 38wks with DC2, as I'd been strapped up to the monitor for reduced movements and discovered I was actually having regular contractions!

It didn't do anything though, DS was born at 40+5