Membrane sweep offered at 39 weeks

[Coop0404]

Hi

I’m currently 38 weeks+2 and a FTM, I had my usual antenatal appointment today and my midwife offered a sweep at my next appointment when I’ll be 39 weeks+1. Has anyone else had a sweep at 39 weeks? I thought you would have to wait until 40 weeks so was surprised when she mentioned it. It’s not for any medical reasons as I have had a very straightforward pregnancy, just curious to see if anyone else has had one before 40 weeks and it worked?

God I'd take it. Anything to avoid going over dates and needing induction!

I’m definitely considering it! I’m ready to have this baby haha

@Coop0404 I too have been offered a sweep at 39 weeks, which is next week! This is my second and I had a spontaneous labour at 39 weeks first time round. So unsure if I want to get one next week or wait until I'm 40 weeks!

The thing is that a sweep won’t work unless the baby is pretty much ready to come anyway - it just nudges things along a bit. I’d take it OP!

Pros - can help move things along a bit if your cervix is already favourable (which means that your body is getting ready anyway so what is the point of a sweep?)
Cons - not a big risk, but could cause your waters to break which would put you on the countdown to induction.

For those reasons I’ve decided that I’ll only accept a sweep if getting close to 42 weeks and so induction looking likely anyway. Otherwise, I’m happy to just let my body do it’s own thing.

Had one at 39, I was already 2cm and had been from 36 weeks so she could do a good stretch to 4cm baby born the following day

I had one 2 days before 39 weeks. No particular reason, first pregnancy, and all fine. I had another one which was more "aggressive" at 40 weeks, and that defo started something down there, although DD didn't emerge for another four days, only hours before the induction was due.
I'm pregnant again and will be pushing to have another one (which I didn't last time - midwife just randomly suggested it), when I'm approaching 39 weeks.