Sweep before induction

[Mummytobe22LO]

I have been to see a consultant today and booked to be induced next Thursday at 37+6 due to reduced movements and other things. I have been rang just by my midwife to say on Friday to go get a sweep done. I'll only be 37 weeks, anyone had any success stories? Or info regarding this. First baby as curious to know more

The jury is out on how useful sweeps actually are, but if you’re booked for an induction then it’s a good idea to have a sweep just to see if it helps you along

At 37 weeks I’d be surprised if your body is starting to go in to labour naturally though so it may be uncomfortable if your cervix is high, tight and closed. I’d also check with the midwife how it is because that will determine how quickly the induction works too

I was meant to be induced at 37+3 for reduced movement and reduced weight gain. I had a sweep when I got to the induction ward where the midwife was able to break my waters. Baby was born less than two hours later

I went over my due date with my second and had an induction booked for the Monday morning but had a sweep on the Thursday the week before. Went into labour in the early hours of Friday. Good luck!

I had my first sweep at 36+6 and another one sometime before 38+1 when DD2 was born. I bounced on a birthing ball for hours, had reflexology and used by breast pump.

I had a failed sweep at 37+6. The midwife couldn’t reach my cervix to undertake the sweep as it was still facing back and high. She did say it was thinner than they would expect for my gestation though.

I had the induction at 38+1 and it was generally a good induction. It took 19 hours for the pessary to start my contractions but once the contractions they were regular straightaway. I asked for the pessary to be taken out 2hrs after contractions started and my cervix was still back and they couldn’t tell if I was dilated but waters broke an hour later and had the baby 9hrs after that - less than 12 hrs from first contraction to baby. So a failed sweep doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t have a good induction.

The midwife told me that there is some evidence that supports labour starting after two sweeps 48hours apart. Also with your induction, you can set yourself a point that you don’t want to go past if you think it’s not working and ask for a c-section instead, if you would prefer it.

I had one at 38+1. DS was born less than 24 hours later. Midwife did say I was very favourable though, I was already 3-4cm dilated, head was fixed down and waters were bulging.

I've been offered one at 39 weeks and a bit on the fence.

I think if you are close to natural labour they help but not so much if not. But the way it was framed to me is it would give me an indication of how close I am to labour and an extra bit of info to decide on induction.