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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

40 week sweep

31 replies

Lemondrop99 · 30/09/2017 11:06

So it's my due date today and I expected to be offered a sweep, given that the NHS website says first time mums should be offered sweeps at 40 and 41 weeks.

I'm not entirely clear about the reasons why it wasn't offered as the midwife had a strong accent and I couldn't catch everything she was saying. What I think she said was that midwives can only do sweeps once the 40th week has started, and she couldn't do one because I was exactly 40 weeks today?

If that's the case, I'll be really annoyed. My appointments are normally on a Monday (week + 2), so had I stuck to my normal schedule, I'd have been seen on Monday at 40+2 and presumably could have got a sweep. Howrverat my last appointment, my midwife specifically wanted it bang on my due date so it got bought forward to a Saturday. I don't understand why she would do this if I meant I wouldn't be able to be offered a sweep?

So now I won't be offered a sweep until next Saturday, when I'll be exactly 41 weeks. They also want to talk about induction next week, when I haven't even had a sweep yet. Feeling cheated and miserable Sad

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PastaSauceHoarder · 30/09/2017 12:41

Oh Lemondrop, you poor thing! Is your baby maybe too high up still? I was supposed to have a sweep at 40+1 when I was pregnant but apparently my little girl was too high and it wouldn't have had any affect (thats what the midwife said anyways) so I was refused it. I felt like you, I went home and cried afterwards!

Original poster
Lemondrop99 · 30/09/2017 15:03

Thanks for the reply Pasta Smile I'm feeling a lot better now but I did sit and cry in the hospital car park!

I don't think it was anything to do with the position of the baby, from what I understood it seemed to literally be because I was there a day too early according to their policy (which frustrated me because it was the last midwife who moved my appointment forward!).

To be honest, I don't think baby is ready yet and I expect the sweep would have been unsuccessful, but I was still really upset that it wasn't an option. So I have no idea what state my cervix is in because they didn't even have a look.

It's a full moon on 5 October, and this was baby's original due date before the scan moved it forward. I have a gut feeling maybe that's the day?!

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PastaSauceHoarder · 30/09/2017 16:57

Well I'm a strong believer in 'mothers instinct' so maybe it will be the 5th! I'll have my fingers crossed for you. Do you have another sweep booked in?

Original poster
Lemondrop99 · 30/09/2017 21:12

Not yet (although I've been in a few times for reduced movements and if I go in again, they'll induce). They said they'll talk to me about booking an induction date at my 41 week appointment next week. Hoping I won't need that appointment though!

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PastaSauceHoarder · 02/10/2017 02:04

Ah well fingers crossed your little one makes an appearance soon!!

DandySeaLioness · 02/10/2017 02:40

ah OP, don’t feel cheated, I had 4 sweeps and they didn’t do anything but hurt like heck. Good luck, it won’t be long now Flowers

Original poster
Lemondrop99 · 02/10/2017 13:18

Well I rang my normal midwife today to see if she could explain what happened e.g. if there was a 40+1 policy or something. She didn't know what the problem was and said due date was fine, offered to check my records and speak with the midwife who saw me.

The other midwife then called me back, said it must have been crossed wires and she thought I didn't want one Hmm I think she's a big fibber as I literally cannot see how she possibly got that out of our conversation. I asked when can I have a sweep, and she mumbled something about midwives only being able to do it on certain days and I'd get one at my next (41 week) appointment. Hmmmmm.....

Anyway, she's offered to do one this afternoon. I was on the fence about it. It sounds uncomfortable an I don't really expect it to work. But I'm really keen to avoid induction so at least I'll know I tried.

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Starfish83 · 02/10/2017 13:42

Sorry to hear about the poor communication, Lemondrop. I'd be interested to know how your stretch and sweep goes (and in anyone else's experiences of them) - I've been offered one on Wednesday when I'll be 40 weeks and haven't yet decided whether to go for it or not. x

GinUnicorn · 02/10/2017 13:53

Good luck! I had one and gave birth the next day. Fingers crossed x

Original poster
Lemondrop99 · 02/10/2017 13:56

Thanks Gin!

I'll report back later Starfish. I'm feeling nervous now and half regretting my decision to chase it up! (I'm such a wimp, god knows how I'll get through labour)

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GinUnicorn · 02/10/2017 14:23

I thought the same Lemondrop! You will! We are capable of more than we realise. Let us know any news? X

PastaSauceHoarder · 02/10/2017 14:23

Starfish, don't be scared of the sweep! I had one when I went overdue and it was just a little uncomfortable - but I did go into labour that night!!

Original poster
Lemondrop99 · 02/10/2017 14:27

Had you any indications that you were ready for labour before hand? I've had absolutely nothing. I'm convinced my cervix will be rock solid and sealed shut (which makes me think it's more likely to hurt if the midwife attempts anything).

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isambardo · 02/10/2017 14:28

Good luck op, a sweep brought on labour for me in both my pregnancies (I was more overdue than you are through). Will keep my fingers crossed for you.

GinUnicorn · 02/10/2017 15:51

Lemondrop I was feeling pretty nauseous a few days before and lost my mucus plug then had a bloody show that scared the crap out of me!

I also bulk cooked and froze lots of meals which I guess was nesting. My little one is only 12 days old so remember vividly how frustrating the waiting game was! Are you on mat leave? X

MrsMyreton · 02/10/2017 16:14

Hi OP,

I had a one off high blood pressure reading at a midwife appointment when I was 39+2, and when I went to the hospital that day for a follow up blood pressure reading they gave me a sweep. Turns out I was already 2cm dilated and apparently they can hurt a wee bit if you're already in early labour (I'll admit, I did feel it lol). It really helped me along though and I had my daughter within 48 hours Smile

How are you getting along?

mummabubs · 02/10/2017 17:05

Hope your sweep doesn't hurt and does help to get things going @Lemondrop99. I'm in a similarly frustrating position- I have my fortnightly midwife appointments on "+6" days so I've had one at 38+6 but now won't have another until 40+6 (I'm 39+2 today). I asked my midwife if there was any chance I could have an interim appointment at my due date stage to save me going too far over as I really want to avoid induction and she just said "you don't need a stretch and sweep now" (wasn't asking for one now!) "the earliest you can have one is 40+5". I also cried on the way home!!!!

Original poster
Lemondrop99 · 02/10/2017 17:06

Thanks all. Well I've been and it's all over. Actually it was absolutely fine. Bit weird, very very mildly uncomfortable but certainly didn't hurt at all. My cervix is midway and 1cm dilated, so my body is half thinking about possibly going into labour Grin

Starfish, I don't know how yours will be but mine wasn't anywhere near the trauma I was expecting! I told my midwife I was worried about it hurting and she was very gentle and said she would stop at any point if I wanted her too, so do tell your midwife how you're feeling. She also told me to relax the best I can and tilt my hips up, which may have helped.

I'm not really expecting it to kick start labour, but we'll see. You never know! If not I have a 41 week appointment on Saturday where they will do another sweep if I want and talk about induction dates.

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Original poster
Lemondrop99 · 02/10/2017 17:08

Awww mummabubs, just saw your message and we cross posted. That sounds really frustrating for you Sad. It seems silly to make you wait until your 40th week is almost over.

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Original poster
Lemondrop99 · 02/10/2017 17:14

Twelve days old, aahhhh how sweet Gin! How are you getting on? Have you recovered from labour yet?

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GinUnicorn · 02/10/2017 17:39

@mummabubs sending hugs! I was so fed up of being pregnant and had an induction booked but she showed up before. Will be crossing fingers for you! Xx

mummabubs · 02/10/2017 17:42

Thank you lemon and gin (Suddenly finding myself longing for a G&T!) 😂

I really hope it doesn't come to induction as I'd love to stay midwife led and be able to have a water birth, which I can't if it comes to being induced. I think the fact that I was over 2 weeks late and my mum had to be induced isn't reassuring me!! 🙈

TheLionQueen1 · 02/10/2017 17:43

I'm due next Tuesday and my MW has changed my appointment date to actual due date and has said they will do a sweep then so fingers crossed they actually stick to it and do! Hope all goes well @Lemondrop99 fingers crossed for a baby tonight/tomorrow for you!

GinUnicorn · 02/10/2017 17:43

@lemondrop99 I don't feel too bad now and on the road to recovery! I felt really sore for a few days after labour but luckily avoided stitches just grazed. It hurts to pee for a few days but passes quickly.

If you have time I recommend researching some mum and baby groups near you. My dp went back to work Friday and have found it really isolating. Should have made more effort to make mum friends near me earlier.

Good luck with it all Flowers

Starfish83 · 03/10/2017 10:23

Thank you for the update, Lemondrop - glad to hear that the S&S a wasn't too uncomfortable for you. Fingers crossed that things start to progress soon! Hope that everyone else is doing OK x