Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

3 days overdue, shall I accept a sweep?

145 replies

SheWillBeLoved · 21/07/2009 12:59

Title says it all really! Was due on the 18th by my scan dates with my first (due 11th by my LMP)

Midwife said last week that if I still hadn't made any progress by tomorrow, then they would offer me a sweep. I don't know if I want it though - part of me wants to let her come when she's ready to, and part of me is wondering whether I should go by my LMP dates which would make me almost 2 weeks overdue, and take the sweep.

Help Genuinely at a loss as to what to do. No real signs of labour starting, just feeling like I've been given a good kick in my pubic bone

Experiences of sweeps/being overdue/getting things going much appreciated

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
MakkaPakkasWilly · 21/07/2009 19:55

I found induction not that bad either!

But, TBH, from what I have read, every birth, labour, experience is different.

But sod off with yer sweeps, the only thing you'll be sweeping love is my sodding patio

LittleDoe · 21/07/2009 19:58

I had a sweep yesterday (at 40+6) but don't think it has had any effect, unfortunately! It was okay though - a bit uncomfortable and made me bleed a bit but totally bearable. I would give it a try if I was you as it does apparently work for about 50% of women and is nothing to be fearful of.

I'm a firm believer that babies come when they are ready and there's not that much you can do to coax them along (other than full-on induction obviously). Whilst this is just my first, my mum had three pregnancies that went to 42 weeks (and was induced with all 3) so I am kind of expecting I'll be the same.

As someone else said above, I have also stopped thinking of myself as "overdue", rather just that I am having a longer pregnancy than other people! Helps me to not get too demented....

oneopinionatedmother · 21/07/2009 20:07

laughing at your name makkapakkaswilly

SwissCheese · 21/07/2009 20:08

I had acupuncture - they said it would start it within 24hrs and I did go into labour 18hrs later.

Depends on whether you believe it was acupuncture or co-incidence. But it was recommended by several midwives.

allegin · 21/07/2009 20:41

You are only three days over - don't have a sweep!

I would go with the scan dates as you can't be sure exactly when you conceived from your LMP alone.

I was due on 13th Jan going from my LMP and 19th Jan going from my scan. I gave birth on 23rd Jan.

I was offered a sweep when I was a couple of days overdue but didn't want one. Being heavily pregnant I wasn't up for arguing about it but luckily my midwife had a few days off so let me postpone it and then I went into labour on my own at 40wks+6 (or +10 going from LMP).

Normal pregnancy duration is 37 to 42 weeks - the due date is just an estimate - so personally I wouldn't be keen to have any interventions until I'd gone 14 days over but obviously it depends on your individual circumstances - health, age etc.

Good luck

mosschops30 · 21/07/2009 20:44

I wouldnt bother having a sweep at 3 days over.
I had 3 sweeps and none of them worked.
I ended up being induced at 40+15

aristocat · 21/07/2009 20:48

had a sweep with DD at 40wk+2 at 2.30pm and she arrived quickly at 7pm.
midwife was fabulous and would definitely consider another sweep.
worked well for me

MinnieMummy · 21/07/2009 21:01

Had a sweep with DD (second baby) when a week overdue and yes it worked but it meant a very slow (50 hr) labour. Wouldn't do it again, plus it was bloomin painful.

sleeplessinstretford · 21/07/2009 21:01

I've had 2 sweeps,first one at 42 weeks,baby born the next day (after full induction i must add,gel,drips,ARM the lot!)and 2nd one at 40weeks plus ten days and baby born 24hours later.
Nobody can know what would've happened if i'd not but we did sex/curry/pineapples/yoga and nipple tweaking too just to make absolutely sure i didn't end up with an induction again.

crankytwanky · 21/07/2009 21:05

Go by your scan date; 'tis more accurate.

I had 2 attempted sweeps with dc2. Neither worked, as the MWs couldn't reach my cervix. Was 16 days late with that little fellow. (Induced eventually.) DC1 was 2 weeks late too.

With DC3, I am just telling myself I'm due in early March. It'snot a precise science. Only 5% or so of babies are born on their due date.

If you feel uncomfortable, don't do it.

roary · 21/07/2009 21:11

I was desperate to have my baby and managed to persuade various MWs to attempt to sweep 3 times. NO dice: was not at all ready to go and cervix couldn't be reached. My own great MW refused to do it a 4th time, so I burst into tears, and she said I'd had too many attempts and was running the risk of an infection, and it wouldn't work anyway. Had the baby after full on induction at 42+2. Had infection and spent 5 days in hospital when baby was 8 days old!

roary · 21/07/2009 21:14

Also: tried everything else, acupuncture, pineapple, curry, sex, nipple stimulation....and even the induction took 24 hours to start labour! Have decided I have a longer than normal gestation period.

Jossiejump · 21/07/2009 21:20

For a variety of reasons, my obstetrician agreed to give me a sweep the day before my due date.
After he carried it out he told me that it wasn't going to work as everything was still to high up. I then went for a walk around a shopping centre for an hour, and during this time I stsrted getting niggling twinges. I then started labour later that day, and my DS3 was born 24 hours after the sweep!!
I think the walk following the sweep helped with its success!

zosmith · 21/07/2009 21:29

I had 3 and ended up being induced which failed and led to a c section. So in my experience being 'swept' is very little medical intervention!!! baby was OP and not fully engaged so i was willing to try anything rather than think about what was possibly going to happen! It is uncomfy but nothing compared to post op pain, or i imagine post delivery pain!

I tried every old (and new) wives tail to try to get things going- more than once!

Good luck!

tracie369 · 21/07/2009 21:30

I had 2 sweeps with my youngest and neither worked - the second was done on the day I was supposed to be induced but they didnt have enuf staff on duty so sent me home!! (v upset about that at the time!!)
With both of mine, after inducement labour still took 8/10 hours to get started, I also tried reflexology, reiki and aromatherapy, along with the usual recommended stuff and nothing worked (didn't try acupuncture as not keen on needles!)
I don't mean to sound negative but I think alot of it is down to genetics, my mum had to be induced with all 3 of us and I think mine were both far too comfy in there! I'm not planning any more babies now, but I do believe that what will be will be and if you are overdue there are specific reasons for it; fate works in its own way and your baby will be fine and healthy when it arrives - in it's own time and space of course!!!
Lots of love and best wishes xxx

monkeytrousers · 21/07/2009 21:36

A 'sweep'? Isn't that a euphamism for 'fiddle about'. Just get your OH to have a go. Right up to the elbow!

(It is better you know this now)

kirstybabe100 · 21/07/2009 21:50

i had a stretch and sweep with mine and i went into labour the next day. not only that the main reason i didnt mind having the sweep was because it would tell me whether anything was starting to happen anyway. i found out that i was 4 cms dilated already n my waters were very close to breaking. turns out the next day my waters broke and i had already done nearly half of the dilating without even knowing. so yes i think its worth it, even if you dont go into labour, the midwife can tell you whether your body is getting ready for it or not!

des · 21/07/2009 23:07

Yes - in my experience. My doula advised me to get as many as I could as I really didn't want to be induced and was a few days over. Had 2 in the end. Went into labour a day or so after the 2nd - think I was about 10 or 12 days over at the time. Weigh up your options - some hospitals don't like you going more than a week over some allow 2 weeks (although nobody can force you to do anything of course and even if you're booked in for induction and don't want it you can always phone and cancel saying you think you might be going in to labour). either way I opted for the sweep as I felt it was a less invasive option. Good luck with it all - I'm sure you;ll make the right choice for you. Cx

auntilin · 21/07/2009 23:10

no, don't do it..
leave well alone, or have sex!

monkeytrousers · 21/07/2009 23:47

"a stretch and sweep"

Shudder. For a first time mother, I know these are just a taster of the 'discomfort' to come, but there is really mo reason why this has to be from a fooking stranger??

Drayford · 21/07/2009 23:51

Going back a bit, but I was 14 days overdue with DS, but had contracted Chicken Pox from DD! so nobody wanted to induce me! Long yompy walk with DD and dog and a very heavy meal kicked me into labour at 19 days OD. Was offered a sweep at 16 days by GP but midwife (home birth) advised against it! She had delivered hundreds of babes and felt that nature was best - 4 hour labour & all was fine!!!!

However, labour for DD was very different - 30 hrs and nothing much happening, Gynae did a sweep (1 cm dilated) and DD was born 1 hr later (although with huge huge huge huge and painful contractions!)

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Drayford · 21/07/2009 23:52

PS to last post - DD was also 14 days overdue! Due Dates are averages!!!

Original poster
SheWillBeLoved · 22/07/2009 00:00

Monkeytrouser

I'll have no luck getting DP to give me any sort of stretch, since finding out she had engaged he's been a bit freaked out by just how 'close' to the entrance she is..! Men eh

Been for a few long walks today which were agony, feel so heavy and bruised down below! According to my mum who's popped 7 kids out, that's a good sign..!

OP posts:
amy2507 · 22/07/2009 00:37

sounds like ur nearly there although i had a sweep at 40wks and was told i was 2cm dilated. MW said the usuals, walks, warm baths etc and anticipated delivery over the next 24hr or so....

10 days later more like!!!!

i was in the same sort of pain u have described. best thing you can do is relax and be reasured that there is only one way out for that baby!!!

and of course baby will come soon,has to so put your feet up and enjoy some quiet time coz its gunna get noisey

to be fair, easier ssaid than done i know, i tried everything to bring on my labour, im only 5ft and was not massive but felt like a stuffed chicken.. turns out my DS was 9lb which explained the massive sensation of preasure i was feeling"down below"

always remeber every one is different and no labour is the same so try to keep calm and relax/x

tryingherbest · 22/07/2009 06:01

I was offered sweep by my gp based midwife - I declined and my GP also advised against in my case - she felt it better to have it done in a hospital environment. At my 1 week overdue appointment they persuaded me to have one and I can't say it was a great experience. Had no affect and I was at admitted at 2 weeks overdue and they kept giving me bloody things. Still didn't work and I was then induced with oxytocin (is that what it's called).

You're nearly there - good luck!