Midwife has no appointments to offer a stretch and sweep

[32Hannah]

I was told I could have a stretch and sweep booked for next week, at my midwife appointment today. She said she would find an appointment and call me once it’s booked.

My midwife then called me this afternoon to say there is no space to see me for one, and that I can have one if i still want one at my next routine Midwife appointment in 2 weeks time. When i’ll be over 40 weeks.

I plan to have an induction around my due date (with agreement from my consultant too) if baby doesn’t come before, due to a few worries we’ve had through my pregnancy.

Can I insist I have a stretch and sweep before my due date? Or is it really a case of tough luck as they can’t fit me in.

I had one when I was 40+2 (I think) and my cervix was closed. So technically I didn't have one.
Labour started 40+3 (had baby 41+0)

From what I remember reading some trusts don't even offer them as they're not believed to work so I wouldn't stress and just have one at your next app. Good luck x

All 3 of my children were at least 10 days over my ‘due date’

I had sweeps with the 1st. Did absolutely nothing. The induction took forever too.

Didn’t have sweeps with the other 2. They came eventually. I wouldn’t put myself thru the horrible extra Braxton hicks you get with sweeps. So no I wouldn’t insist on having one.

I would push for one OP. I had one at the hospital day unit and not with my own midwife so I'm sure someone can squeeze you in? Could you ring your local day unit and ask? Whether it works or not, it's worth a go if you're going to be induced anyway (IMO)! Good luck ☺️

My community midwife wouldn't do a sweep until I was over 41 weeks so she only did one with dc1. Dc2 I had one when I was in early Labour to try to speed things up a bit. Dc3 and dc5 I had one at the start of my inductions and dc4 was an elcs.

I had 2 when pregnant with dd and neither worked. Seemed like a waste of time tbh

Some evidence says they do more harm than good as irritate your cervix

They don't offer them here as they say there's very scant evidence of benefit.

They don’t work unless you were close to going in to labour anyway, especially if it’s your first. That’s why they usually are booked for after 40 weeks.

They aren't normally done before your due date

It's not usual for them to be done before your due date so I don't think you'd have much luck "insisting". They're also not considered best practice these days as there's little evidence that they actually work.

Lots of incorrect info here. It's now routine in most places to offer sweeps at 39 weeks. And there is evidence of benefit, though not strong. It worked for me twice!

OP can you ask your midwife if you can be booked into another clinic? Or seen at the hospital day unit for a sweep? I'd be nicely pushy about this.

Just wanted to add too - as per NICE guidelines sweeps can be requested from 39 weeks, even in uncomplicated pregnancies. OP I totally understand why you feel so disappointed and would call back and ask where else can accommodate you, they have to try at least!

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng207/documents/supporting-documentation#:~:text=Uncomplicated%20pregnancy&text=Offer%20membrane%20sweeps%20at%20antenatal%20visits%20from%2039%2B0%20weeks.&text=Offer%20additional%20membrane%20sweeps%20if%20labour%20does%20not%20start%20naturally.&text=Offer%20induction%20at%2041%2B0,relief%20(see%20box%201).