41 weeks, sweep planned, cervix closed as of 2 days ago. What can I do..

[Narlat]

Hello all.
I'm now 40+6. MW is coming tomorrow to attempt a sweep. On friday she examined me and cervix was open at bottom by 1 cm but she could not get through it. I've had no show either.
I have a water birth planned and I dont do well with change. So at the moment the water birth is not looking like it will happen.
Me and the OH walked around our local zoo yesturday for a good 4 hours and baby is definitely in a better position now where as before she was more to the left she now feels much more central, back to tummy.

Now my sister , who's mouth runs befor she thinks, has already told me to decline a sweep as it 'f*ing hurts' which sent me into a spiral.
So please do not comment about the sweep, if I can have one I'm going to and I dont need to be worrying about other peoples experience.

My question is what more can I do to shove labour, and more so cervix dilation on.

I've done everything to help move it on, EVERYTHING!!!.

Thanks in advance for any comments , just looking for a bit of hope xxx

Have sex! Worked for me at your stage twice (I also had sweeps- they were fine, but not successful)

Evening primrose oil. I took the capsules orally but you can break one and stick it up your foof if you like, might work faster (took a couple of days for me).

Both times I went into labour I had eaten nearly a whole pineapple and had a long walk the night before. With DS1 he wasn't even engaged at that point and he was born within 24 hours.

I had a sweep with DS2 but was already a couple of cm at that point, it wasn't the most fun I've had but it's not agony or anything and it's over quickly. I wouldn't refuse one at your point.

Ignore your sister I had 2 sweeps a little uncomfortable yes but not really painful. They didn’t work for me however I tried everything and my little one arrived 14 days late after induction. I had also hoped for a water birth which obviously didn’t happen but over all it was ok even though the induction took 3 days to work. Try not to get to stressed about it what will be will be. I’m now 39 weeks with my second And id like to have a water birth but If it doesn’t happen it’s ok I know il get through it. I was so stressed about it not going how I wanted the first time so I know how you feel

Thank you all.
Its reassuring to know that others go through this. I'm just gonna try to chill and not worry to much.
Thank you

As suggested above midwife suggested sex is best option. A nice relaxing evening where you are relaxed and feel safe and secure might do wonders!

I've had sweeps and they were truly fine. Uncomfortable yes but fine... And would definitely do again in your position.

Hey! I had a sweep this afternoon, I’m 41 weeks today with first babe. Sweep didn’t take long at all! I’ve tried every old wife’s tale in the book and nothing so far so really hoping this works as she managed to do it properly and I was 1-2cm dilated. Trying not to get my hopes up but trying to stay relaxed and calm as I know sweeps don’t always work! Distraction is the only thing we can do at this stage if that’s at all possible! Good luck to you 😘 xx

I’m 41+1 today and feel the same as you. Also feel like I’ve tried everything!
Going to try a sweep tomorrow with the midwife, mainly to see if things are moving along.
Don’t fancy sex as feel SO huge but it’s the last thing I need to try so may give it a go tomorrow.
Good luck!

Ah. Again thank you ladies. Sex is too much effort, but I've done all the old words tales just like you. Good luck with your sweeps fingers crossed for all of us x

I had a failed sweep at 40 weeks - cervix was too high and firmly shut to actually do it - and waters broke spontaneously 3days later! Things can change quickly! Fingers crossed you get the birth you want.

I was against having sweeps until I got to 12 days overdue and thought why not. They actually aren't that bad, I was really nervous but it was fine. I ended up having 5 actually haha. I think putting evening primrose capsules up my foof helped soften my cervix but I went 17 days over so little man deffo just came when he was ready.

Try not to stress, keep going for walks and just chill as much as possible. Baby will make an appearance soon!

Had a sweep. It told me that things had started moving in the right direction. Contractions on and off over Monday, no sign Tuesday, then they kicked in very well in the evening. Baby arrived this morning. Hope it goes well for the rest of you

Basically don't worry about the sweep yes it's uncomfortable however your about to attempt labour!!!
Baby will come hun
Only thing I would say is I can see you have anxieties etc I wish for the water birth however I would say 99/100 births don't go to plan so try and prepared yourself to be a bit more flexible

Hi all.
Sweep not done as cervix still closed. Booked for an induction on sunday. However I've given up trying to get her out now . What will be will be

@Narlat sorry to hear the sweep didn't work out, BUT, how exciting!! Only days til you meet your little one. Hope everything goes smoothly for you!

Have you tried clary sage oil? It's sometimes used to help women deliver the after birth, I used it in my baths at 36 weeks as I was getting induced at 37 and when I went in I was already 3cm.

Have a search online, it convinced that's what worked for me, a few (maybe more than a few ) drops daily in your bath. They tell pregnant midwives to stay well away as it's powerful stuff, you can also mix with a massage oil and massage into bump xx

Hi. Yh tried that.
I've done pineapple, spicey food, labour cookies, sex, orgasum, bouncing, walking, nipple stimulation, clary sage in bath in carrier oil and in burners. Raspberry leaf tea, dark chocolate, being with baby animals, the lot.
I'm now convinced that none of them work unless your about to go into labour and from then on it's more a coincidence.
Xxx thank you for all your input tho. I'm now resigned to induction on sunday xxx