Cervix check

Once you are past your due date they will offer a membrane sweep, and from this they can judge how open the cervix is, but it’s not something I was ever offered during a routine midwife appointment prior to my due date with my first.

I think in UK they do sweeps closer to due date and check the cervix then but Ive not had any mention of a specific check on cervix. Ive got an appt next week when Ill be 36 weeks but as far as I know there is no check then, I think Ill have my sweeps around 38/39 weeks x

They don’t do checks generally until you’re in labour however, you can request them to check closer to your due date. You can be offered sweeps from 39 weeks but don’t have to have these x

No they don't check this as standard. I only had checks when I was in labour and even then you can refuse them. You can have a sweep if you want to but I think this is from 40 weeks.

No they don’t check and actually it is a risk for infection and not really that helpful because you can be zero dilated and not effaced and hours later go into labour so it’s not a very helpful assessment and doesn’t tell you/mean much. You can request a sweep which can only be successful if you are dilated so they will first need to check the cervix. Depends on the midwife/hospital trust but some may do this as 38 weeks. Some may not check or suggest until after your due date. With my girl, I wasn’t offered until 41 weeks. They couldn’t do the sweep as was completely closed. I started an induction at 41+5 and at 42 weeks had a sweep after prostaglandins had opened the cervix and that did help to get labour going. You also don’t have to have cervical checks or sweeps if you don’t want them.