If given a sweep, how long before it works if it's gonna?

[Twiga]

Looks like I'll be making my mw appt tomorrow at 40+2 - she mentioned a fortnight ago doing a sweep at this point if I'd not had baby. DH has surgical board meeting in Edinburgh tommorrow - two and half hours travel by train from Aberdeen which is where we stay. My appt is at 3pm - if a sweep is done and is effective roughly how long before things kick in? Dh doesn't need to attend the meeting but don't want him sitting around all day if he could have gone so he's got train booked - just wandering if he would then have time to get home if things started - it's our first and neither of us want him to miss it. Realise not an exact science but if anyone can give us a rough idea?! Thanks

[spacecadet]

never had a sweep, but hopefully this might help give you an idea.

[Twiga]

Thanks spacecadet

[KateF]

Had sweep on due date at 11am. Felt crampy on way home. Woke at 1am with mega contractions-baby delivered 3.44am!

[rubles]

40+2 seems very early to be considering a sweep, is there a health reason that she wants to do it at this time?

[Twiga]

Rubles, not that she's mentioned although she is very keen to avoid a c-section for me - seems to think induction at 40+10 (which is what the consultant has put in notes) may increase the need for one. Have exsisting stomach muscle weakness and scarring from an op I had at birth, so I guess she's trying to avoid adding to that?!

[Twiga]

KateF looks like dh would realistically make it back before anything much happened then?!

[KateF]

Yes - I should think you would realise things had started. I knew I was in early labour all afternoon just kept it to myself. Woke dh at 2am to say going to hospital now. Rang at 6.30 to say you have new daughter!

[tassis]

I guess it's your decision and you have to do what you guys think is best. I definately wouldn't have wanted dh to be so far away past my due date.

Things happened pretty fast for me - I knew I was in labour around 1.30pm and ds was born just before 5pm so, yes, dh would have made it home, but I'd have hated to have gone through those 3 hours without him. I couldn't even bear him to leave me to go to the loo, but that's just me!!!

[madmarchhare]

A couple of days I think. They dont offer them until at least +7 here. Could you not hang on until your next weekly check as youd get another one in before they concidered induction.

[frannyf]

I had a sweep with my first baby and labour started early the next day. Maybe you could leave it a couple more days as it will be more likely to work if you are nearly ready anyway? And what else are they going to do between now and 40 + 10, I mean if this is their final intervention before induction I would think they may as well wait till nearer the time...

[Rachey1969]

I don't think I'd be happy for dp to be so far away at this stage. As it is your first he could have plenty of time but who knows? It's more likely you would be calling him back on a false alarm! I had a sweep when my waters went (no contractions) 40+10 with ds1. It took about 24 hrs for me to even go into labour (I don't think I was ready) but you can get a lot of false (ie useless!) pains. Good luck!

[KateF]

Oh yes didn't see that it's your first. It was my third and I got quicker with each labour.

[hockeymum]

Hi I had 5 sweeps with my dd. The first at 39 weeks and then every few days or so until 42 weeks, when the final one (very painful one done by male consultant) actually did the trick. I went into labour about 5 hours after it.

Basically, I think it is like all other things (curry, sex, castor oil etc) if you are about to go into labour in the next few days it might speed it along that day but if you are still a fair way from natural labour it wont do too much.

It is very unlikely that you will go into immediate labour so don't worry too much about the distance. With your first labour it is likely to be several hours long anyway. maybe consider having a standby friend to help you with the early niggles while your DH gets the train back to you.

[mummy23]

I had a sweep with DS2 and went for a 2 hour walk after and then contarctions kicked in about 3 hours later and DS2 was born about 12 hours later! Hope it all goes ok for you!