Sweep - when should I?

[Cat99]

I am due on 22nd May. My midwife said that if I'm still waiting by my next appointment (24th May) she'd offer me a sweep. I said no thanks, but maybe the week after if nothing has happened. Are there any disadvantages?

thanks

[ShonaM]

Hi Cat, i'm actually due on the same date and was offered the sweep for the 23rd but have decided just to wait. My midwife said that the only real disadvantage of the Sweep is that its not guarenteed to get things started. Iv read on other forums where some mums-to-be have went in to labour within 48hrs of having it and some woman having went into labour themselves like a week later.

good luck for the 22nd

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

The only disadvantage is that it may not work and it may hurt.

So, if you cervix is favourable/ripe I would say go for it, if it's not I'd ask the MW to hold off and reasses in a few days.

[Klaw]

There ARE Disadvantages to sweeps:

Discomfort or actual PAIN

Mw might not even be able to reach cervix to perform it, which leads to severe demoralisation (I've got the T-shirt)

Mw might accidently break waters which sets the clock ticking, if baby is not ready to arrive yet labour might not kick in and so you end up on the intervention slippery path

Bacteria can be taken up from vagina to cervix and increase risk of infection

not to mention the indignity, the having to trek to mw to get it done when you could be relaxing at home....

Sweeps are only supposed to work if you were going to go into labour anyway so why put yourself through it?

Far better to enjoy the twilight of your pg, relax, get a massage from dh, enjoy a nice soak in bath or shower, use lavender and other nice smellies, enjoy some comfort food, have a little glass of wine before bed, get early nights, drink plenty of fluids, take gentle excercise, swimming is great for relaxing the heavily pg body... lunch with your mates, book some manicure/pedicures...

Certainly, I wouldn't recommend attempting one till at least 41 wks, closer to 42

[Snaf]

Two days after your due date is pretty pointless, imo. I'm surprised she offered it; in my Trust the mws never sweep until 41 weeks because all the reasons Klaw gives go double if it's too early.

A good stretch and sweep will only tip you into labour if you're pretty much ready to go anyway - it won't do much from a 'standing start', iyswim!

You are wise to leave it for another week - hopefully you won't need it anyway

[IwantYourNickname]

I had one and i don't think it made a difference but at 41 wks I was desperate to give birth so I thought it was worth trying.

[ShonaM]

Thanks for agreeing with my choice not to have it next week ladies. My NHS Trust offer it from 40 weeks onwards and my midwife was quite eager for me to have it this week.

In my opinion my baby aint in any hurry to go anywhere so im quite happy to wait.