Why On Earth Are Midwives Doing This?!

[midori1999]

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?!

I was offered one at 38 weeks (or was it 39?) but declined.

globalmummy I wish someone had told me because I'm expecting on 24/3 and I'm 42. Must be a clerical error. What an outrageous thing to say!

Personally I wouldn't have a sweep unless it was medically necessary. In the end it's someone's finger being inserted through the cervix and there has to be a non-zero chance of introducing infection. YMMV.

On a pregnancy forum I use, they talk about giving themselves sweeps, and tell each other how to do it!

My consultant wasn't at al keen on sweeps - don't think he really thought they did much good. mws were more keen. I wasn't!

...cant see how you could reach yourself though!

And global, I'm 38 - after having ds (now 5 mo), I went to the EPU with cards and present for lovely staff. they said, "if you ever need another scan, give us a call" - I said "oh, no no no, this is my last one; if I have another it will be a complete accident". MW nodded sagely and said "oh, we've had lots of menopause babies through here..."

My midwife told me that the only study into efficacy of sweeps related to women over 41 weeks. So there is no research showing that having one sooner will do any good.

With DD1 one MW offered me a sweep when I was sent to the DAU with high blood pressure at 37 weeks. I declined, and in fact the only time I had one was when I was already in labour which was done without my consent (i.e. it was a very vigarous exam and afterwards she said "I've given you a big sweep"). I really don't understand why some people seem so keen to put their hands up there when it may not do any good and in fact might introduce infection or be uncomfortable.

How very bizarre. Surely if the baby/ mother/ placenta are all fine, there's no need to hurry the onset of labour? Sorry, what a stupid question. Let me rephrase it.

Surely if hospital protocol demands it, the baby and the woman's body should comply?

Thanks for your supportive comments . Makes me feel a bit more confident about saying no to these 'professionals'. I'm not naturally a confrontational person, but this situation has been quite an eye-opener. DD was born in the USA with great midwives and no doctors till the final stages (that's another story), so I'm not used to how things are done over here.

Off to find a 'how to pass the time till labour starts' thread....