Is there any point in having a stretch and sweep at 39+4 wks?

[Jojay]

I've got a midwife's appt tomorrow and I'm debating whether to ask for one.

My reasons for having one are to give me a clue as to the state of my cervix, and therefore whether anything is likely to happen in the next day or two or not.

It's my second baby, DS was 6 days late. I'm in no particular rush to hurry things along, I just want a clue as to how long it may be.

Any views?

IIRC, my midwife wouldn't give me a S&S until I was 40+ wks.

I asked the midwife at my last appt and she said she would.

hi i had a sweep on my due date with my dd and the midwife told me i was 2-3 cm so i thought it was all going to start happening but i actually only went into labour 11 days later after a further 2 sweeps. so even though they may say your cervix is ready and soft etc it can still take ages to start!
saying that im due on thursday with my 2nd and ive asked the midwife to give me a sweep on my due date but she only will if the heads engaged?
anythings worth a try to get it moving at this stage!!

I had 2 sweeps with DS1 and 2 with DS2 and they weren't done til I was overdue.
I thought they didn't do them until you were past your due date, as they aren't likely to work.
With DS1 I had the second one the day before my induction, I was 9 days over by then, it worked thank goodness.

If she does do one, she should be able to tell if it's likely to work though, so that'll give you an idea if nothing else.

That's what I want really, an idea of whether it's likely to happen soon or not. Maybe I should just ask for an examination.

I had a show last night and still have a bit of a discharge today so it looks like things may be starting anyway. No contractions yet though.

Thanks for your comments

For both my darling D's Iat 39 weeks I wanted them out, so I ate a bad boy pot noodle, with an added extra of hot pepper sauce for my 2nd DD, then me and DH had sex with me on top (both times) and hey presto! contractions started for both within 2 hours....good luck x

Midwife couldn't even find my cervix at 41 weeks!

Sweep at 39+1 and DD2 arrived bang on her due date. DD1 was induced at 40+10 co-incidence maybe
I didn't ask tho' consultant offered.

I think no.
What will you gain ?
Your cervix will be 1-2 cms anyway as youve already had a baby so no surprises there. You risk infection and risk of unplanned rupture of your membranes which in turn could lead to further intervention /failed induction . The procedure itself isnt is uncomfortable.
Research suggests a sweep is most effective at about term plus a week.
I think a sweep prior to this is negotiable in certain circumstances only - very individual-maybe for example if the consultant asks for this intervention due to a medical concern ect, but sometimes its better to stand back and let nature take its course -tempting as it may be !

Get dp into bed for some love instead ?