Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Childbirth

Had a sweep - what are the chances it will work?

15 replies

Sprogstersmum · 09/10/2008 19:56

Had a sweep today and just wondered how successful it's been for others? Did it work? How long till labour started? Am booked in for another sweep next Thurs and then Dr is going to break my waters the following Tues if still no luck - how painful is having your waters broken? (For those wondering why no induction, had c-section last time so can't be induced). Thanks.

OP posts:

Report

maidamess · 09/10/2008 20:03

I had a sweep on a Saturday lunchtime. Went to Sainsburys afterwards.It felt weird, like there was no 'plug' holding the baby in!

I woke up the next day as my waters were breaking. I had had ds by 2 that afternoon.

liahgen · 09/10/2008 20:14

A sweep is a form of induction, albeit a natural one if you like.

Breaking waters is definately a form of induction. And if you want a vbac then it can bring on ctx quite forcefully. x

In answer to you original question, ususlly works within 24 hrs if it's going to.

When are you due?

lulumama · 09/10/2008 20:16

what liaghen said !
best chance of a succesful VBAC is a spontaneous start to labour

you can go to 42 weeks , you know, before you are overdue.. and chances are, you will go into labour

once your waters are broken you are on a countdown to deliver

also, if your baby is in a less than optimum position, the waters being broken is not that helpful

i would leave well alone, ask for expectant management, and look at things again at 42 weeks.

Anglepoise · 09/10/2008 20:40

I had a sweep at term+2 which did nothing except make me dilated to 1 cm, but my cervix was very unfavourable at the time. I then had another one at term+9 and my waters broke the following morning (though it still took nearly 48 hours to go into labour) - not sure whether the two were related or whether it was just time!

greenlawn · 10/10/2008 14:44

Don't want to frighten you, but mine was too effective. I was already 3 cms when I had it done (at term) - waters broke almost immediately, labour progressed very fast but ended in a crash cs. The only explanation I've been given so far is that some babies don't react well to sweeps/fast labour. Wish I'd left well alone!

NappiesLaGore · 10/10/2008 14:45

50:50 ime

Nbg · 10/10/2008 14:48

I had a sweep 7 days over with my second baby and I went into labour 4 days later.

With my 3rd, I had the sweep at 8 days over, MW said I wasn't favourable, I had the baby that tea time

I think keeping as active as possible afterwards, helps alot

shootfromthehip · 10/10/2008 15:07

Had 2 sweeps with DD and no joy. Had one with DS and had him the next day. I concur with 50/50

Lib76 · 10/10/2008 17:50

i had sweep term plus 7 and started within 48 hrs

BEAUTlFUL · 10/10/2008 18:05

I had FOUR sweeps with DS1, nothing.

Worst feeling in the world, was gripping on to the bed-rail, writhing in pain! Eeek.

Fingers crossed for you! x

MrsMattie · 10/10/2008 18:07

Oooh, it's anyone's guess. Two sweeps and 4 doses of prostin didn't do a damn thing to my (rock 'ard!) cervix

BuwchBywiog · 10/10/2008 18:08

I had two and nothing, induction didn't work for me either though so he was a very stubborn one, really hope it works for you xx

GColdtimer · 10/10/2008 18:09

I think it depends on how ready you already are. I had two sweeps and they didn't do a thing, but then the midwife said she didn't think they would because my cervix didn't feel ready and I wasn't dilated at all. A friend had one and her baby was born 10 hours later. So, I think if you are ready they can give things a helping hand, if not, then probably not very effective.

I also had my waters broken because I was induced. It is just like having a smear test (but one where you then wet yourself . They do it with something that looks a bit like a crochet hook. Or is that tmi?

Good luck!

Sprogstersmum · 10/10/2008 20:14

Thanks for all the comments. Was induced with DD1 and ended up with c-section (due to undiagnosed breech)and would really like to at least try and have a natural birth this time round but feel like I fail at first hurdle as I don't go into labour without intervention. Nothing so far so looks like sweep didn't work - just have to hope labour will start naturally in next 10 days before date for c-section.

OP posts:

barnsleybelle · 10/10/2008 20:29

I had a sweep in the morning, waters broke at tea time and dd was born at midnight.

Flip

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.