What are the chances of a midwife givng me a sweep tomorrow at 38 weeks?or at least checking how things are going up there?

[DisenchantedPlusBump]

Bloody awful pregnancy, still have morning sickness, bad SPD, have been ill for the past few days blah, blah blah ... my usual sob story , but in reality I've just had enough.

I have been having pains for a few days at night and during the day but never amount to anything.

Do you think she would do this??

I know you have to be 'favourable' to have a sweep so do you think she would at least examine me so that if Im not dialted at all and cervix is still thick I can at least get a few nights rest knowing that these pains arent doing anything and Im not going to go into labour so I rest!?

is that a '0%' chance then?

I don't even have an appointment am just so fed up Im going to barge in

Seriously, is it worth even trying?

Not really.

Very doubtful at 38 weeks.

I was given one at 38 weeks with DS2 but think I was very lucky with that lady!

i don't think so, not at 38 weeks. you can always request an examination though, to put your mind at rest about pains.

suppose i could try sex.... tried everything else!

Doubt you'll get a sweep at 38 weeks. Sorry.

Sex sex sex.

Uhrggh, can barely move though, DH will feel like hes bonking a barrell!

they normally don't sweep until 40+5 where I am.

Hi I have an appointment for a sweep at 39+4 only because its a convieninet time and if i go over i'll probably have to have section because i had emergency one with ds1 and because of that they won't induce me. Its worth asking they might consider it at 39 weeks.

I am in the exact same position as you, Dis, 38 weeks, SPD, etc etc etc...had a check-up yesterday and she did examine me internally - and I am 3 cm dilated. I had been having pains in my cervix, feeling lots of pressure so would've been astonished if I wasn't just a bit dilated!!!

Doubt she'll give you a sweep, but I'm sure she'd check your cervix for you...worth asking...

good luck!

Someone posted on a thread of mine this morning saying that their MW had given a sweep at 38 weeks. I was quite surprised as they won't do one here until 41 weeks.

You do know a sweep won't do anything unless you are going to go into labour within 48 hours anyway? I had a sweep with DS but I wouldn't bother with this baby as it was a lot of discomfort for not a lot of result. Having my show today though so maybe that is why I am feeling extra blase!

can I ask a probably stupid question?

If I am 3cm dilated, does that mean I have already had a show? This is pg3 and I didn't have a show in the 1st two, so I don't know what to expect!

cumin tea.

i swear to god it will work

i drank a cup before bed at 38 weeks with ds and woke up in labour.

just put a spoon of cumin seeds or powder in hot water, sweeten a bit and down it. it's not too horrible, just tastes like dirty water and if you're in any way close to labour it should tip you over the edge and get things going.

also when you do get pains do some frantic nipple twiddling to keep them going for longer and make them stronger

if you clean your hands thouroughly you could check your cervix yourself you know.... at least then you'd have an idea as to whether anything at all is happening yet.

How do you check it yourself??

What would I look for?

Am still having pains, and baby is fully engaged but midwife found a 'trace' of protein in wee so says this is all down to a UTI, so she wouldn't examine me, i just want to know if anythings actually going on

What difference will it make Disenchanted? Seriously, what would you do differently? We have a consultant in our hosp who books women for induction at 38 weeks for SPD, feeling fed up etc. Mind you they usually end up with long, painful labours, instrumental deliveries etc simply because neither mum or baby is ready yet. You could try the acupressure point on your hand I suppose, or nipple twiddling. It might take you mind of it if nothing else! I'd advise against checking your own cervix simply because it will probably leave you none the wiser! It's harder than it appears to estimate cervical dilatation. Anyway, some women go from 4cm to fully in an hour and some stay at 3cm for days so there is no way of knowing! Hang on in there!

The difference would be that if i knew i WASN'T dialated at all then i do have a UTI and all these pains are just from that, so I need to grit and bear it and get over it.

If I am progressing slowly then Im in labour and don't have to think of possibly being in this situation of pain and no sleep, plus a fully engaged head dropping out of my lady bits for another 3 weeks!!

Batternburg cake did it for me!

Don't push your body prematurely. It has enough to do without doing it whilst not completely ready.

but i'm not

Im not pushing it to do anything!

I'd be quite happy to sit here for another few weeks but its my body thats giving me pains everyfew minutes, my hips that have given out, the babys head is hanging out! midwife couldnt even feel it, it was that far in the pelvis!!

It seems like all these things should be making something happen but I just don't know if it is or not.

I would go with UTI, unless you have a history of pre-term birth.
The last 3 weeks are def the hardest & longest (or 9 weeks in my case ), but s/he won't come until they are ready.

Try to forget about it, presume you are not in labour and carry on as normal.

As has been mentioned your cervix could go from fully shut to 3cm overnight without you knowing, but it doesn't necessarily mean you'll labour straightaway, could still be another week or 2.

Your m/w is sensible to not interfere/exam you, until you are at least overdue.

I had one at 38 weeks with ds1 because I thought my waters had broken, (I think I had just wet myself ) just went to the maternity ward at my hospital on a Sunday lunch time and ds1 was born at 3.45pm on the Monday.
I think it only works though if the baby's 'ready' or so I've been told.

Good luck

Don't pin your hopes on a sweep. I had 3 (!) when I was 3 cms dilated and lovely DD2 still took another 2 and a bit weeks to turn up (dead on 42 weeks late). She's a stubborn mule though and arrived in her waters too. There is no rushing her!