Sweeps

[LynseyLou1982]

Hi I'm 38 weeks pregnant with my first baby. I'm seeing my midwife on the 27th when I'll be 39+5 and she wants to do the first stretch and sweep. Just how painful/uncomfortable are these and should I get it done?

[SpottyBrolly]

I had one on Thursday, didn't work so hoping for another tomorrow. It just felt like a slight more pushy smear test.

[BillywigSting]

Not painful at all. A bit strange/uncomfortable feeling but didn't work for me at all

[Justmuddlingalong]

3 here. None worked, but it wasn't painful, just a bit uncomfortable.

[cheshiremama89]

Very painful, but cervix was not favourable and the midwife couldn't reach it.

She gave it a bloody good go and I bled afterwards

Neither worked for me
X

[butterybean]

I had 18 of them in total. They are uncomfortable and some midwifes were better at it than others (the one I had from the consultant gynecologist was dreadful and I told him so!)

I just positioned myself same as a smear and did some deep breathing. Was fine...however a friend got an infection from it so make sure you watch them following the hand washing guidelines prior to doing it.

[sthitch]

I had one that didn’t hurt at all, the second hurt a bit more as she really tried hard to get things going as I was +40 weeks - it hurt because my cervix wasn’t favourable. I then had more during induction and they didn’t hurt at all as I was much more ready.

None worked for me and if I have another baby I don’t think I’d bother having one done.

[Mummyh2016]

Sorry but mine killed me. My waters had gone so I ended up having one to try and get Labour started, then another one to progress. They both worked but it bloody hurt.

[Strokethefurrywall]

I had one at 37+6, baby arrived 5 hours later.

The second I had at 38 weeks exactly, DS2 arrived a couple days later at 38+2.

The first time around I was already 4cm dilated (but I didn't know) and it hurt so much I almost kicked my OBGYN in the head. It was actually the most uncomfortable part of labor for me, and I didn't have any drugs.

Some people find them mildly uncomfortable, some people find them excruciating. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't.

[KittyKat73]

Hello everyone!

I was going to make a new thread about sweeps but saw this one and hope yous dont mind If i ask some questions.

I am due a sweep this wednesday 28/2/18. Never had one before. I was just wondering for those that have how long do you stay in hospital for and did you bring anyone with you?

My original plan was just to go myself as my partner is working and wants to keep any time off for when the baby is here, I could ask my mum or a friend to go but wasnt sure if its appropriate. Also Im thinking it will be similar to a smear so wont take long ( like 15 mins? ) and just go home afterwards.

No idea if im being realistic or not haha!

Lynseylou goodluck for tomorrow if you decide to go through with the sweep

[Tigerpig]

@kittykat73 it’s like a smear in terms of time taken etc. I didn’t and wouldn’t take anyone with me

[clarabellski]

Kitty I drove myself to and from both my sweeps (at 41w and 41w5) and was in and out in under 10 minutes.

FWIW they did fuck all to bring on labour!

[LostMyBaubles]

Dtd as much as possible after a sweep.

Good luck

[KittyKat73]

thanks ladies!

I really hope the sweep kick starts something haha desperate to have this baby now

[BarryTheKestrel]

I walked the 2 miles home from my last sweep. It was Monday afternoon. I woke at just after midnight Tuesday morning with contractions and gave birth Wednesday afternoon. I think the sweep and the mostly uphill walk definitely helped.

However this was my second sweep. The first was a week before and did nothing.

[Potteryprincess30]

Watching this thread with interest

[Potteryprincess30]

week until due but have been offered a sweep then, just really not keen on smears so may give it a miss