Do I have to have a sweep?

[SpongeCake23]

I’m 32+4 and really don’t want a sweep when the time comes, do I have to have one?

No, you don't have to have one. They may offer you one but you can say no. They don't tend to put pressure on you either.

No

No, I said I wasn't bothered and they left it

It's your body and you can say Yes or no to any procedure/test that you want. The main thing is to weigh it up and take in all the information to make an informed decision. My midwife gave me a leaflet about sweeps and other interventions and I made my decisions from there.

No, of course not. I declined.

No. You don’t have to have anything done that you don’t want to.

No you don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with. I had one recently with DS and it did nothing to help me along, they offered me a second one and I refused. If I have another child I will be saying no to any at all.
Your body your choice.

No. You might not need one. I didnt with my first two. I did with my last one as was overdue and the possibility of induction frightened me. As a first time mum they'd offer you one at 40 weeks, should be 41 weeks if not a first time mum. You don't have to say yes to anything, but might be worth thinking about if it looks like induction is on the cards

No, they will ask you if you want one and you can decline.

It may mean you're more likely to need induction but that is a decision you are entitled to make yourself.

I’m currently doing an online Hypnobirthing course where the tutor talks about refusing internal examinations during labour. She says that many women think they can’t refuse, but since when is it ok for somebody to put their hand in your vagina without asking!?! Obviously the same applies to sweeps.

I’m in Germany and for what it’s worth they don’t seem to offer sweeps over here. I take the view that a baby will come when it’s ready.

I had sweeps early (pre 40 weeks) in my first preg due to polyhydramnios, I found them pretty degrading tbh and nothing happened afterwards. You can refuse them, it's no big deal.

You don't have to do anything. The Positive Birth book has an acronym to keep in mind with every intervention that is offered:

B - benefits of the intervention
R - risks of the intervention
A - what alternatives are there
I - what is your intuition telling you
N - what if you do nothing