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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Why On Earth Are Midwives Doing This?!

34 replies

midori1999 · 26/02/2010 19:34

I have noticed on another forum I use that quite a lot of Mum's are being given sweeps any time from 37 weeks onwards or being told by their midwwives to 'have lots of sex to try and encourage baby out'...

My youngest child is 6 and this just didn't happen when I had my children. You would only be likely to get a sweep if you were very overdue, and certainly not at 37 weeks. Why are the health profession so keen to get babies out?!

OP posts:

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nickytwotimes · 26/02/2010 19:35

Never ehard this.

Wisenheimer · 26/02/2010 19:37

I've never been offered a sweep before 10 days overdue, both in different health care regions, pregnant with my third and I've been told they'll sweep at 10 days overdue again IF I want it.

Lulumaam · 26/02/2010 19:37

the trust i am familiar with don't offer sweeps as a rule until 41 weeks.

37 weeks is deemed full term, but majority of women will deliver sometime around 41 weeks IIRC.

sex won't do anything to induce labour unless hte body is ready anyway, but sex/nipple stim/orgasm can help to ripen the cervix and strenthen contractions

a sweep at 37 weeks seems early though

i don't think it is offered this early as a general rule, certainly not policy or NICE guidelines afaik.

Wisenheimer · 26/02/2010 19:38

would a sweep at 37 weeks even be possible? Thought the cervix had to be 'ripe' or something?

Lulumaam · 26/02/2010 19:48

if the cervix is posterior and not soft /ripe or short, a sweep is impossible.

and it just becomes an unecessary internal

mummyof2byapril · 26/02/2010 22:28

Why not have a sweep or be given advice on how to speed things up?
None of above will work unless baby is ready to come anyway.

ohnelly · 27/02/2010 08:53

My friend is due with her first baby on monday & she told me they are going to give her a sweep on monday! WTF??? I asked why is it a big baby? she says no. Im 4 weeks off my due date & will only want to be started off if im more than a week or two overdue. I dont get this at all! I will ask my midwife next time I see her.

Lulumaam · 27/02/2010 09:14

a sweep can only get things going if the woman is ready BUT a sweep too early can be painful and disheartening for the woman

also, if the waters are accidentally broken, then the woman is on a countdown to induction of labour within 24 hours.. which at 37 weeks, is not always ideal

MamaChris · 28/02/2010 12:27

I had sweeps from 38 weeks. I was hoping for a homebirth, and it wouldn't have been possible if I went too late. The first was /really/ painful; I think the cervix was just not ready at all. But the others were ok, and seemed to trigger braxton hicks (the only time I had them were after sweeps). In the had, ds born at home at 40+6. Didn't realise there was a negative to early sweeps.

TwentiethCenturyHeffa · 28/02/2010 12:39

I was given a sweep at 38 weeks with DD because I had high blood pressure and I think they were hoping it might get things going without needing to induce me. In the end I was induced at 39 weeks.

I'm 28 weeks with DC2 atm and I was talking to the doctor about being uncertain whether to go for a elcs or not and she said I could have regular sweeps from 37 weeks if that would help. I'm not sure how this would help or why it was being offered. I would have asked but the appointment was getting a bit strange so I didn't.

pointysayhiphip · 28/02/2010 12:42

N Wales automatically give a sweep on your due date, I believe

mummyrex · 28/02/2010 12:51

I've had 6 children, 2 were over 10 days late, others were a few days after due date and I have never been offered a sweep. But, then I was never one complaining to the midwife, wishing it all to be over. I imagine women that are having a hard time and practically begging for the end may be offered this. Or perhaps women whose partners are due to go away soon?

TabithaSmith · 28/02/2010 12:53

I was given a sweep bang on my due date with my first child (five years ago). Looking back, I do think it was misguided and can't see what the bloody hurry was!

thumbwitch · 28/02/2010 12:56

I didn't get one or offered one until I went in for induction at 42w. Thank goodness. And even then it wasn't pleasant; nothing was "ready".

lovechoc · 28/02/2010 13:56

I was nearly 42 weeks when I had my sweep, so never even heard of this before OP. what a strange thing to be said to women from 37 weeks!

Morloth · 28/02/2010 13:59

Maybe the mum's are keen to get the babies out and the MWs are responding with ways that can be brought about?

I am pretty bloody keen to get the baby out now at 37+3, but am also not going to allow any interventions unless for a good medical reason (or I get to 42 weeks, at which point I will be out of my mind and they can do whatever the hell they like to get him out).

Pingpong · 28/02/2010 14:24

I had a sweep yesterday at 40+2 as I have either induction or ELCS booked for 40+5 although the current plan is for VBAC so I am keen to get things moving before further intervention is necessary. I have been offered a second sweep on Monday. MW arrived at my door and her first question was what was my due date as they are not allowed to give sweeps before 40w - her exact words.
I have never heard of women routinely being offered a sweep at 37w.

MumNWLondon · 28/02/2010 14:26

I had to beg for a sweep on my due date with DS, as they said only usually did sweeps after 40+7. She tried to talk me out of it but did agree. DS born 48 hours later.

pointysayhiphip · 28/02/2010 17:26

I don't think it is necessarily down to the mums. As I said, all pregnant women in N Wales are given a sweep on their due date (according to a new mum I know in N wales)

TheCrackFox · 28/02/2010 17:29

You can refuse any medical procedure if you do not want it.

globalmummy · 01/03/2010 06:09

I am 40 years old and 37 weeks pg. First consultant obs I saw insisted on induction at 40+0 weeks on the grounds of age. I refused. Second consultant obs, on hearing my views about waiting and seeing, suggested a stretch and sweep at 38 weeks. I'm fed up with them trying to get this baby out!

DD was born in her own good time at 42 weeks (the waiting drove me mad but it was absolutely the right thing to do).

This pregnancy is problem free. The only reason they have giving is that I'm 'old'. Both consultants told me if I lose this baby I will be too old to conceive another one...

ohnelly · 01/03/2010 10:37

Im in north Wales and am due in 4 weeks but no one is giving me a sweep unless there is a good reason. This must be new as I went 4 days over with DS1 and started naturally, but that was 4 years ago now

heather1980 · 01/03/2010 12:52

i had a sweep at 40+1 with ds but only because i had booked in a hb and was desparate to avoid the hospital, he was born at 40+5, but then incidently dd was born at 40+5 as well and i didn't have a sweep with her.

Heathcliffscathy · 01/03/2010 12:54

globalmummy that is outrageous!

AllieW · 01/03/2010 12:56

My midwife put me down for a sweep at 38 weeks last pregnancy only to be told in no uncertain terms that I didn't want it. My baby was going to come out when she was ready and I didn't want anyone rushing things. I'm not convinced it's good for them. It's like someone yanking you out of a nice warm bed when you want a bit more sleep, IMHO.

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