membrane sweeps

[strawberrycrumble]

Hi everyone, last time I saw my midwife she said they would do a membrane sweep at 41 weeks, on the actual day of the appointment I would be 41+1 as my clinic is only 1 day per week. I am seeing her next when I am 40+1 and considering asking for one then instead, or at least for her to check if I am 'favourable' to have one.
Any reason why she would refuse me, or does it vary on different health authorites policies?

There's no reason why she should refuse you seeing as you are full term. It may be that your cervix is unfavourable- mine was on 2 attempts at a sweep! DD born at 42 weeks. I hope you don't go that far over. You shouldn't have a problem getting a sweep though. Good luck! xxx

Should be alright, I had mine at 40+3 with the desired effect

I had two the first was very unsuccessful and at 40+4 but then my actual midwife gave me one at 40+5 and goodness that worked and I could tell the difference between who had the most experience of giving them-the first was uncomfortable the second was very uncomfortable but it only lasted a few seconds and it worked within a few hours labour started. I bet she wont refuse if she has the time, my midwife was all for giving it me asap. Good Luck, x

I had mine at 39 weeks! Obviously impatient! It did the trick too

I'm now 41+ weeks, and was really keen to have one a few days ago. But, I saw the MW this afternoon and decided to wait until Sunday. I don't want to start things up if they aren't really ready. Having a sweep too early can lead to a longer labour... but not always of course. It depends on how ready your body is.

I could also have just chickened out this afternoon and am now trying to rationalise why!

Hi everyone...

I'm 40 weeks now with my first baby, due date was Tuesday just gone. I went to my midwife today and we discussed me having a sweep as I wanted to give myself as much time as possible to have a natural labour, and avoid being induced. Anyway...as she did the sweep it turned out that I have a 'narrow pubic arch' and couldn't reach the cervix.
As this happened to anyone else?

At the time, this threw me into major panic as she said it may make a 'natural birth' tricky? Hadn't even given C-section a thought up until now, but maybe we need to??

Would be nice to hear some positive stories from people in similar situations...

Liz...