IF a sweep is going to have an effect, when is it likely to work by?

[MrsDandOllie]

I am overdue with baby no 2. Consultant did sweep this afternoon and said that my cervix is still very high, baby not engaged yet, but my cervix was open 2-3 cm and overall things look fairly favourable.
No signs of anything happening yet though - its been about 6 hours - does this mean the sweep hasnt worked to start things off? or can it take longer than that to have an effect??

I've not been in this position before as my first baby was early!

[S1ur]

within 48 hours.

Mine happened next evening.

[S1ur]

to clarify

Mine happened about 24 hours later

[soph28]

with my 1st pg I had a sweep on wednesday morning (about 11ish). On Thursday evening I had a show. When I woke up on Friday morning I felt my 1st contraction in shower about 9am. DS was born at 6pm that day.

[soph28]

I should add though that I had a sweep with 2nd pg and then had show so was convinced it would go same way as 1st time but nothing else happened and I was induced a week later!

[sdr]

One sweep took 1 hour to work and another took 2 1/2 days. The Dr who did the one that took 1 hour said probably wouldn't work and still a few days. The one that took 2 1/2 days said within 24 hours. Great that you're 2-3cm already. Was a good tip on Mumsnet recently which said book something to do for each overdue day. Like coffee with friends, movie. Will either give you something to do or tempt fate. Good luck.