Stretch and sweep

Last week, I had an overnight stay in hospital due to borderline high blood pressure and given a date of induction. I really don’t want to go through the stress of an induction. I am due to have a stretch and sweep at the midwife this week, at 38 weeks and can have another if unsuccessful before the induction date. This is my first baby. When researching, the odds of success seem fairly high but this appears to be from 39 weeks onwards… Does anyone have any experience of a sweep at 38 weeks? Was it successful? Is there anything I can do to help it be successful?
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Hi Gemma. I honestly will advise you not to do that. I was admitted for induction due to high blood pressure developing just recently 38plus 5 days. They didn't explain me that process correctly and I would never agree if I would know. I was admitted on Sunday and only on Saturday after 6 days they had staff to break my water and deliver baby. Emergencies and active labour Is always priority and planned inductions are push back. I threatened to leave hospital of they will not book me asap. My induction failed and after 3attemps I was ready to break my water .

From what I see it's a lottery . Every body reacts different and ladies after first attempt got contracted and go in to laber others sent have that success

I was 1CM on Thursday medium soft and 3cm long successful sweep but nothing apart from bad bleeding so went to hospital and they induced me by giving me a pessary. I had that put in Friday morning and had it taken out Saturday morning and I was 3cm I’m now still waiting for a bed to get my waters broken and they checked me again just now and I was 3cm very soft very elastic cervix still waiting for a bed. Honestly go to your midwife appointment nice a calm get her to have a good rummage you might be surprised!

@Karolina hi, yes this was what I’ve discovered. They have said it would take up to a week to get a place on the labour ward to break waters once induction is successful. I’ve also been warned I’ll be the bottom of the list as it really is borderline high and other than that, a healthy pregnancy. To be fair to all staff, they’ve been fully honest with me and all are in agreement that a natural birth would be much more preferable. Really hoping stretch and sweep is a success to trigger fully natural birth 🤞.

Yes I would go for a swap and see how your body react. Good luck 👍

@Sophie thank you, this is good to know. I’m hoping it will be successful, baby has been engaged for weeks and I’ve had other signs. I just don’t want to get my hopes up and it not be successful. Good luck!

@Karolina and to you!

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