Just had a sweep....

[Holly290505]

...at 40+3. Obstetrician said I'm 2-3cm dilated already and she thought she'd been able to do the sweep really well. I had a show before the sweep and had a bit of blood after she did it.

So what happens now?? Is it effective and how long might it take?? Desperate not to be induced in a week's time! Thanks

[LottieG]

Hi Holly

Sounds to me like you don't have long to wait...2-3cm and a show sounds like labour is about to get underway and a sweep should work in about 24 hours if I remember right.

Good luck!!

[18mumtobe]

hi

im starting to think that i really should of had it done, but i surpose its to late to woory about it now. i would like to know if im dilated at all even though im probley not. mw did say that baby's head is fully engaged now so at least thats something i surpose.

do you know how engaged you are?

[Holly290505]

Hiya

She wrote 2/5 palpable so I guess that means 3/5 of baby's head is engaged. But I was 3/5 for about a month before that! I don;t think you need to be fully engaged to go into labour but its a good sign for you. I would imagine you probably are starting to efface and dilate by now.

Why don't you ring your MW and ask her to come see you at home and do a sweep/examine you to see if your dilating at all? Shouldn't be a problem. Don't worry about anything - we'll get these babies out SOMEHOW and by this time next week we'll be mum's too xx

[Holly290505]

Anyone had a sweep work? And how fast??

[hayleylou]

Had sweep and was 2cm that was at 2pm and then in labor at 3.30am and gave birth at 16.10.. Good Luck

[Miaou]

IIRC a sweep should work within 24-48 hours - if it hasn't happened in that time then it won't be the sweep that starts you off IYSWIM.

In other words, if you go into labour 3 days later it's unlikely that it was the sweep that set you off.

I'm pretty sure I've remembered that right but someone may come along and correct me.....

[catgirl]

I had a sweep at 10am, pottered around all day (met friends for lunch etc!), decided it was time to go to hospital at 7pm, had ds at 11:30pm! And was 2cms dilated at sweep. Good luck

[almostanangel]

good luck!!

[almostanangel]

[Holly290505]

Thanks everyone - fingers crossed then. Just sitting here eaating pineapple and hoping!!

[Holly290505]

1st baby btw if that makes any difference. Has anyone been in this situation and it not worked??

[Mosschops30]

Message withdrawn

[Rachey1969]

You sound like you're on your way already - I was not dilated at all (but waters had broken) and it took me about 24hrs with ds1. Good luck!

[mears]

Do not get too excited - nothing may happen at all. Try and relax and rest if you can. Do not march about trying to get labour going as you will just exhaust yourself. I think wommen risk knackering themselves trying to get into labour when nothing will happen until they are ready.

[Holly290505]

Nope not getting excited at all - still here and nothing happening. Arggh.

[Toothache]

Holly290505 - I had a sweep after I'd had a show and was found to be 2-3cm.

2 days later I was getting regular back pains which I recognised as early labour from the first time.... went back to the hospital and was 4 cm! dd was born 12 hours later at 39+2wks.

Good luck.

[Holly290505]

And nothing unfortunately. Had another sweep this morning. MW reckons only 1cm now despite obstetrician saying 2-3cm on wednesday. Confused and FED UP now TBH. Booked for induction next wed and think it probably will come to that which is really going to pee me off cos that'll be the end of my waterbirth.
Here's hoping....

[mears]

Holly - next Wed you will be 41+3 is that right? If you, decline to be induced. There is absolutely no need and you could still have your waterbirth.

[mears]

Wait till 42 weeks and see if nature works on her own.

[Holly290505]

Thats right Mears 41+3. I will certainly think about declining the induction. Just getting increasingly fed up I guess! Quick question - exactly how is a sweep supposed to bring on labour and why might it not have worked?? Thanks x

[Holly290505]

Also when does postmaturity start becoming dangerous? 42 weeks? (in other words when doe the safety of the baby start being compromised by my desire for a natural birth? Thanks again!

[mears]

42 weeks is the assumed longest length of pregnancy however some do go over that time. Depends on length of menstrual cycle etc. When going over 42 weeks, scans are offered for liquor volume and assessing baby's wellbeing. Monitoring of the baby's heartbeat is also done. There are mnetters on here who went over 42 weeks. Also keep an eye on baby's movements.

Sweeps are supposed to work by releasing hormones to trigger labour when the membranes are 'stripped' from the lower segment of the uterus. It releases prostaglandins theoretically. It will not work unless labour is imminent IMO. Sperm also contains prostaglandins so that be a more enjoyable way of starting labour but from what I remember of being 40 weeks pregnant - not much

I truly believe you need to trust your body to go into labour when it is ready.