'Unfavourable sweep' success stories?! Anyone?!

[wishfulthinking1]

Hi all,
Am currently 40+3- had a sweep today but midwife said that cervix was posterior and a few other things- she scored my cervixv 4/15- less than half marks!!

Anyway, she's booked me in for another sweep next week, but was just wondering if anyone has any "my cervix only scored 4, but I went into labour that night" success stories to humour me with!

Thanks in advance xxx

[jumpinghoops]

I had an unfavourable sweep today at 39+5, my experience last time was that it took a few to get things going- or maybe my body was ready naturally, who knows?! I don't find sweeps too bad though and kind of liked to know where I was so having a few was no big deal!

[carrielou2007]

Same here at 39+1 trying to avoid third Induction. Next booked for 41 wks but resigned to induction again my body makes fab children, breezes through pregnancy just needs help with the eviction

[mummytime]

Well at least I and one other MNer went into natural labour within a couple of days of an unfavourable sweep.

Personally if I ever had another baby I would reject any attempts at a sweep. My two "natural births" were at 41 +5 and 41 +4

[mayhew]

I did a sweep on a first timer and said "don't expect anything for at least 2 days" thinking, nothing at all will happen for a week. Exactly 2 days later I caught that baby boy on the self same sofa?.

[wishfulthinking1]

Thanks for advice / stories everyone. Absolutely nothing happening here- maybe later!! :-)
X

[DangerMousey]

I have a story that will cheer you up!

Had an unfavourable sweep at 40+3 (MW couldnt even reach cervix and said the baby's head was not engaged at all). She was pretty rough with me though, think she was trying to yank the cervix round to the front...!

I then had a show in the evening on 40+5. I started having contractions at 3pm on 40+6 and DS was born at 9am on 41 weeks exactly! He was my first baby, 9lb 3oz, and I had him with just gas and air, an amazing experience!

The things I did after the sweep which may or may not have helped get things going were:

• walked up and down all the flights of stairs in my block of flats (very slowly!) every afternoon.
  
• tried to walk to the shop at the end of the road every day, even though I had shooting pains in my vag!
  
• Had sex!
  

Good luck and dont give up hope! Get walking/up the stairs.

[jumpinghoops]

I spoke to soon, I had a bit of a show this morning so maybe they do get things going more than I had thought!

[MilanToMinsk]

I had an unfavorable sweep at 40+8. Midwife said she was sure it didn't do anything, that I was if anything showing less signs of impending labour than the week before. We talked about induction options for once I got to 40+12.
That was at 4.30pm. Went into labour about 8-9pm gave birth 2am (less than 10 hours later).

[carrielou2007]

Why couldn't that be me then grr!! I still have to walk the school run and preschool run (6 half hour each wAy walks) as due to eye ops not back driving fully. C'mon baby!!

[wishfulthinking1]

Thanks dangermousey and milan - I thought I was losing my plug earlier on- had 2 occasions where I wiped and had snotty discharge- but nothing since so I think it was just something of nothing.

carrielou and jumping - fx it all kicks off for us all soon!! X

40+4 xxx

[DangerMousey]

Hey wishful was the snotty discharge clear or was it dark brown (like old period blood) coloured? If it was the latter then I would deffo say it was a show/your plug.

My labour started the day after I had my show so good luck in case you have the same!

[lovelychops]

Had a sweep today, but I don't know if it was 'unfavourable' or not. Would they have said? Or should I have asked?

[orangeshortbread]

I had this at 40+9 and went into labour the next day. It will happen when it is ready regardless of what you do, so take heart.

[DangerMousey]

Hey lovelychops I think an unfavourable sweep is when your cervix is still very closed, not looking like it's getting ready for labour yet, or - as in my case - is still posterior, ie not in the right position for labour.

I should think if the MW did the sweep and didn't make any comments then it was probably a good sweep! Also: was it agonising?? My unfavourable sweep at 40+3, which involved the MW trying to yoink the cervix round to the front, was horribly painful. Actually worse than any part of the labour which followed 3 days later!

[lovelychops]

Thank you DangerMousey ! The MW said it was posterior, but almost anterior
It was rather unpleasant but I know I was really tense which didn't help. Supposed to have another one on Sunday, can't say I'm looking forward to it ...!

[jumpinghoops]

Lovelychops- I recommend totally relaxing your jaw and your pelvic floor will also automatically relax, I tried this at my last sweep where my cervix was posterior and had to be pulled forward. Much much more comfortable than I remember my sweeps being in last preg.

[lovelychops]

Thanks so much for the advice. Wishful and everyone else, wishing you well

[wishfulthinking1]

40+6- and nothing! Where's my baby!?!
X

[HanBanan89]

Don't loose faith! I had an unfavourable sweep, cervix posterior but soft and long on a Tuesday. Contractions started Wednesday night regular from 10pm and our first DD was born the Friday morning after a marathon labour! It might still work yet!