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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

To sweep or not to sweep!

15 replies

Gilmartin89 · 20/03/2021 11:53

Hi ladies; hoping for some advice. I am 38 weeks tomorrow and have been offered a sweep at 39+1 (seemed a little early to me/ also my birthday -not a great gift)
I also had gbs picked up in a swab a while back and although my last swab was clear I still will be having antibiotics when I go into Labour.
It’s my first baby so new to all this but my questions I guess are is 39 weeks early to try bring on Labour and unnecessary intervention. Also they couldn’t confirm risk of sweep making gbs more risky and likely to spread just said should be fine!! Any advice would be wonderful xx

OP posts:

SunnySideUp2020 · 20/03/2021 12:03

I am not in the UK but here they dont offer sweeps if you had a gbs positive. But since your last test was negative i wonder why they would still give you antibiotics,!
Mine was negative last week and i will take the sweep which will probably be around 39w3.

RagzReturnsRebooted · 20/03/2021 12:04

I wouldn't do it before full term and to honest I'm not sure there's any point. Mine never worked!

Aquamarine1029 · 20/03/2021 12:06

I wouldn't do it. Totally unnecessary at this stage.

thismeansnothing · 20/03/2021 12:09

I wouldn't bother..only From my previous experience. I had 3 all when I was overdue..the first 2 couldn't be done as i was 'unfavourable' (think that's the word they used) and the third when I was 14 days overdue was absolute bloody agony! I'm dubious that even worked cos went into labour 3 days later.

SnooperTrooper12345 · 20/03/2021 12:13

I've had 5 in previous pregnancies, all when over due. And none worked.

I believe there's only a 20% chance of it working if your body is ready.
And at 39 weeks with your first, it's unlikely your body will be ready so will probably be a waste of time

Original poster

Gilmartin89 · 20/03/2021 12:19

They said that basically if you carry it you can have it one day not have it the next then have it again the day after. And that unless they tested when you went into Labour they can’t guarantee you don’t have it again!

OP posts:

Original poster

Gilmartin89 · 20/03/2021 12:21

Thanks ladies; your all confirming what I was thinking that it seems super unnecessary!!! I also wasn’t keen on the ‘I’ve booked you in’ attitude.
I’m fairly sure it’s meant to be fully informed consent for anything; and asked rather than just assuming I’ll do it!

OP posts:

Amelia49 · 20/03/2021 12:25

I'm booked in for one this Tuesday, I'll be 39+5 weeks so I'm going to just go for it I think. Was really unsure as well and wasn't sure if there was much point if I've technically not reached or went over my due date, but for the sake of 2 days I think I'll just give it a go! Already dreading it.

SnooperTrooper12345 · 20/03/2021 12:55

@Amelia49

It's not always painful for people. I've had 5 previously and havent really felt them!

physicskate · 20/03/2021 13:00

I'm next seeing mw at 40+1 and she said she would offer a sweep then. I'll see how desperate I feel to have the baby, but I'm not likely to take it (currently 38+3).

Last pregnancy, I had four. The last one 'worked' but I was already in prodromol labour (had been for three days at that point and was almost totally immobile from pgp so was desperate to get her out). The fourth caused my waters to break within minutes. That was at 40+5. Still had to have pitocin after that as labour wasn't really progressing. She was born by forceps less than 12 hours later (had all sorts of other issues not relevant).

Amelia49 · 20/03/2021 13:22

Aw that’s really good to know, thank you

mhood11 · 20/03/2021 13:29

I had a sweep at 37+6 with my first, and had baby 2 days later 38+1.
Not actually sure why I was offered one so early but I was very uncomfortable and glad at the time.
I would do the same again.

Amichelle84 · 20/03/2021 13:33

I personally wouldn't if you and baby are ok. Don't get why hospitals offer it before due date if everything is ok.

disneymad85 · 20/03/2021 13:38

I had a sweep before a planned induction at 39 weeks and it did work (and didn't need to be induced). I was already slightly dilated which I think helped.

This is a weird one but I also had reflexology that day to bring on labour. I am not usually into alternative therapies but I believe it worked and saved me being induced.

MeadowHay · 20/03/2021 13:53

I had one at 39+6 but I was already 2cm dilated and had been having increasingly painful and frequent contractions for over 5 hours by that point. No idea if it helped or not as I was still only 3cm when I went into hospital at 10pm despite awful pain and frequent contractions by then.

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