Stretch and sweep at 38+5

[Impatient6227]

I has a sweep this morning at 38+5 and the midwifes words were 2cm dilated, cervix is paper thin and she could feel bulging membranes. She also said she thinks baby would be here today or tomorrow. Before i get overly excited, anyone else been in a similar position and can bring me back down to earth? I'm finding it impossible to concentrate on anything else!

Unfortunately I was like that at about the same gestation with my 2nd and gave birth at 41+2 🤦‍♀️ every midwife appointment I had she kept saying 'I'm so surprised you're still pregnant' and assured me I would be seeing her in a few days with a baby...

Having said that though, your midwife absolutely could be right so just try to relax and keep busy with things that make you feel good. Keep that oxytocin flowing and you never know, baby could be here by tomorrow! If not though, try not to be disappointed. I spent so much time trying to do every old wives tale to get labour going that I exhausted myself and I wish I just took in the last few weeks of having just one child a bit more!

Thanks @Nursemumma92 you're so right, I'm going to try and forget about it and get out for a dog walk 🙂

Mucus plug has just appeared I think!

Exciting, well I hope it is your time for baby to come. Good to keep active in the day but do rest when you feel you need to as well. Good luck 😊

Why did she do a sweep at 38 weeks?

How's it going?!

Is it your first baby?
They generally take longer.

Anyone can request a sweep at 38 weeks (not before) I asked for one and she agreed 🙂

Nothing more from today disappointingly, just a more heavy feeling than normal and a bit of back ache, nothing that feels like a contraction though 😕 fingers crossed through the night something more dramatic happens!

Second baby, first is nearly 18months. Last time I had a sweep at 38 weeks and baby arrived 4 days later. No idea if the sweep did anything or not that time!

I read they don't do anything unless you're part way there yourself and do more harm than good if you have them before you're ready as they irritate the cervix.

Yes I've heard the same (minus the doing more harm than good part) luckily for me it sounds like I am part way there if I am fully effaced

@Impatient6227 not harm to you/baby sorry... just as it can discourage things from moving along.

Hi, just a quick update, I think it worked. Started contractions at 11 and baby was out by 2!

Congratulations ❤️ 🎊 👣 hope you and your baby are doing well.

Awww congratulations, that's amazing!

Congratulations 🎊

Many congratulations!

Had a sweep at 40 weeks on a Thursday and even let the student have a shot. They said similar 2 or 3 fingers. They then booked me in to have my waters broken 4 days later. But ended up going into labour on the Thursday night /Fri morning 3am. So worked a dream.

Congratulations!