To sweep or not to sweep

[coneywonder]

Hi ladies,

Just wanted to get your opinion about having a sweep, my midwife said she would do one at my next appointment if I wanted which is on my due date on Wednesday.

I know I could go into labour before then but I don't think it's going to happen.

If I'm honest the only reason I don't want one done is because I've heard they are painful, which I know is ridiculous because I am about to give birth!! But that is the only reason I would opt out. She said she would check how favourable my cervix is before doing it but I don't know whether to just let my body do what it needs to do and wait a bit longer considering it will only be my due date!!

Did anyone have one on their due date and did it work? And how painful are they?

Sorry for the ramble

[WorldsBiggestGrotbag]

I had one on my due date with DD. my cervix was closed and completely unfavourable which made is extremely painful. I cried all the way home (and managed child birth a week later with no pain relief, tears or screaming!).
I've moved now and the midwife said they don't offer them until 41 weeks here as the cervix is more likely to be favourable and therefore it will be less painful and more likely to work. Currently I'm still planning to decline but will see how I feel at my appt (at 41+2) if I haven't given birth by then.

[BeatieBo]

I would only let them do one if your cervix was favourable (I've vague memories of something called a Bishop score) I had one done when my cervix was not at all ready and regretted it. I would be happy for them to try though if it looked like my cervix was starting to gear itself up for delivery.

[coneywonder]

Yeah I think I'll make sure I am clear that they aren't to do it if it isn't favourable. Should I be worried that my midwife has really long finger nails?

[coneywonder]

Also grotbag that gives me hope I can get through labour. Bloody scared now!

[Nabuma]

I've had multiple sweeps over two of my pregnancies. I had sweeps three times when I went overdue with my eldest dd. They didn't work but was fairly painful.and made me feel a bit weepy afterwards, with some bleeding and cramps. I remember feeling very disappointed each time when it didn't bring on labour so if you do go for a sweep be prepared for that. I'm guessing and unfavourable cervix which explains the pain and lack of success. I still opted for a sweep with my youngest dd as I was getting fed up and dh was due to go away. Went into labour that evening/early morning. Sweep was less painful that time. I get the feeling that they only work when your likely to go into labour v soon anyway in which case they're kind of pointless? Good luck either way!

[Nabuma]

Argh, multiple typos there-hope you know what I mean!

[coneywonder]

Yeah I've heard that. Hopefully she won't just force one on me if my cervix isn't ready. I'm so nervous about everything now

[smokedgarlic]

Had six sweeps here over three pregnancies and not found any of them painful honestly but only one of them had the desired result and I am hence sat in the hospital being induced with no 3 at 12 days over :)

[Nabuma]

And don't be scared for labour! Easier said than done I know, I was terrified too. But you'll probably surprise yourself!

[Nabuma]

She can't force one on you. My midwife was actually quite reluctant to do them-I was so eager for one on my due date but she refused and I was gutted and I definitely did not try and persuade dh to do one himself!

[coneywonder]

Thank you ladies and thanks nabuma I hope I do suprise myself. My mind is running away with itself at the moment need to tell it to behave!

I think I'll leave it on my due date and wait and see if I go a week over.

Good luck smokedgarlic I hope things get going quickly for you and you have newborn snuggles soon :)

[Bustherb]

I had a sweep today at 39&2. It wasn't painful at all, it was slightly uncomfortable but nothing bad. My cervix is favourable though so that could be why xx

[sarah00001]

I'm 40+2 and my midwife offered to come to my house on Monday to do a sweep when I will be 40+6. She said they don't normally offer them until 41 weeks, though I'll be having mine a day early. She said she would examine my cervix beforehand and if it doesn't look favourable, will leave it a couple of days. I'm not looking forward to it, but my midwife feels that this would be preferable to induction of labour, so I'm going with it. At least I don't feel so much in limbo, wondering all the time when I'll go into labour, though there are no guarantees with the sweep.

[coneywonder]

Yeah they offer them on your due date in my area for some reason. I think that's the key to just see what the cervix is like first. I would rather a sweep than a full on induction that's for sure!

[Newtobecomingamum]

I had a sweep... Didn't feel a thing! Was no more uncomfortable than a smear test. Was over so quickly, I didn't know she had done it! I had mine done of due date as wanted to hurry up and have bubba.

[coneywonder]

Did it work? Did bubba come pretty soon after?

[LibrariesGaveUsPower]

No, I wouldn't.

I am unusual and find internals very very painful. I have also read that they can lead to longer labours.

I had one at 13 days over with DS, but only because I'd been having three days of niggly contractions so thought that nudge might work. And she gave me gas and air. That was the clincher

[coneywonder]

I've never had a smear. I'm 25 and got a screening letter through when I was a few months pregnant so they told me to wait until after baby so I don't know what to expect. I'm actually really nervous about them but like I said in my original post i feel daft because I'm about to give birth! Don't get me started on that bit xx

[LibrariesGaveUsPower]

Just remember that some people find internals worse than labour. Not common, but not unknown. So if you find it horrid don't work yourself into a frenzy that you won't be able to do birth. It doesn't work like that. Every woman is unique

[LibrariesGaveUsPower]

Personally, for a first baby and on your due date, I wouldn't. You could still have one at 41 weeks if still waiting.

They only work if you're about to go into labour anyway, and the data on efficacy is fairly weak (because, by the time you have a sweep you are normally overdue, so lots of women would go into labour soon after anyway). The earlier it is done, the more likely it does nothing and you just wait and have it done again.

[Roseybee10]

I wouldn't bother. I would let your body have a try first and have one at 41 weeks if you're still waiting as ta more likely go work then.

I never had one - went on my own both times.

[coneywonder]

Thank you libraries I think your right. Hopefully baby will decide to make an appareance before Wednesday anyway (highly doubt it) I think I'll wait until after my due date though

[Newtobecomingamum]

I had baby 2 days later after my sweep. x

[Casper27]

Midwife couldn't reach cervix to sweep but I had two from male doctor who could. Mostly uncomfortable but breathed through it. 2nd one worked, dull contractions started shortly after.

[Miffyonline]

Probably not what you want to hear, but for me it was really painful. It didn't seem to work either...