37 week cervical sweep

[ByVividKoala]

I’ve been suggested to have the cervical sweep at 37 weeks by my consultant. I was wondering what other people’s experience has been like at this stage? Any success in star of labour at this point or not? Tia

To add, This is my 3rd child. I was induced with my 1st at 37 weeks and my 2nd came on his own at 40+3

Have they said why they think you should have a sweep?

I had one as part of my induction and it was extremely painful, but I’ve heard other people find them fine! I can’t say if it made much of a different either!

They haven’t said why or anything. He seems so be growing well and healthy after having growth scans throughout pregnancy.

I didn’t even know they offered it at 37 weeks unless there was a reason to.

I always refused them. They’re completely unnecessary and not without risk.

I would avoid then @ByVividKoala
It doesn’t sound like there’s a reason and the NHS do seem to push these and induction these days, absolutely your choice but as @LoremIpsumCici says not without risk of
infection etc.

Tbh op they only really work if your body is already heating up for labour. I had one with dd1 and "it worked" but i was already 1 cm dilated so I assume I'd have gone into labour anyway. At 37 weeks you're likely to try and it'll be painful and your cervix is likely tightly closed and high up as really your 3 weeks early. I wouldn't say they're so awful not to try but I can't see at 37 weeks it doing that much tbh good luck 😁

I meant gearing up not heating up but then maybe heating up for labour is a good explanation 😂😂

I wouldn't go for one if they haven't said why.

I did have one at 39 1 and 39 3 and baby came at 39 5. They're most effective if 2 are done within 48hrs (if I remember correctly). It wasn't painful for me, but I've heard for others it's painful.

I had one at just gone 38 weeks to try and avoid induction (for medical reasons which meant I needed baby out sooner rather than later!)

It hurt like hell and did absolutely nothing because my body just wasn’t ready. I had the induction a few days after the attempted sweep, which also didn’t work (six days of various different induction methods with intense contractions the whole time, it was horrific 🫣) and ended up with an emergency section at 40+3.

For a sweep to work, you need to already be in the early stages of labour.

Thanks everyone, I think I’m going to speak to my midwife and see what her thoughts are on it and if there’s any reasons which the consultant may not have mentioned to me at the time. Trying to weigh out the pros and cons without overthinking it haha