Sweep at 38 weeks?

[Dannii1996]

Did anyone manage to get a sweep at 38 weeks? I’m 38+1 today and have midwife at 2! I suppose it’s different rules for different practices but no harm in asking for experiences on here🙈 (it’s 5th baby aswell so hoping if I do get one it won’t be long🤞🏼)

I had one at 40 weeks with dc5 and it was horrific i would wait it out unless medical reason to need baby out now

Oh no sorry to hear that🙁 I’m usually induced at 37 weeks due to normally having cholestasis but luckily don’t have it this time! So this is all new territory to me🙈 just at that fed up impatient stage I suppose haha

Maybe speak to your MW about options and pros and cons. I think they can only do it if the cervix is already partially open and getting ready for labour and you might need it more than once. I get the impression it can be pretty painful as well, although different for different women.

They can only do it if your body is ready.
And will only do it if there's a reason for it.
As it's much more beneficial to baby to stay in longer

In my trust sweeps have been cancelled because of covid anyway

I had one at 38+1 and 38 + 3 (trying to avoid induction at 39) Baby arrived 38+6

And is now one week old

I'm a midwife and sweeps are contradicted before 40 weeks usually unless there is a medical reason or there is clear documentation from an obstetrician that you can have one early. It's more likely that your cervix wouldn't be favourable enough for a sweep to work at 38 weeks.

In my trust midwives will only do them at 40 weeks unless a consultant has agreed for earlier sweeps

As PP have said, my area is 40w+ only

I'm not in UK and had sweeps with both pregnancies, first at 37+ 5 and baby arrived same day.
Second was at 38 weeks baby arrived 2 days later.

Both were very painful, in fact my first sweep was more uncomfortable than labor itself and I didn't have pain relief. But my body was ready and in my experience a good OBGYN or midwife will only perform one if you're already dilated and having regular BH contractions or early labor signs.

Good luck!

DD1 was 10 days overdue and I was induced, failed to progress and emcs eventually next day.

DD2 m/w appt for other reasons at 39+1 and she asked me if I wanted her to check progress, said I was good candidate for sweep once she examined me. Totally my choice, it wasn’t pleasant not gonna lie but spontaneous labour on EDD and successful vbac albeit needed forceps.

Good luck!