Talk

Cochrane review in 2005 said this: Routine use of sweeping of membranes from 38 weeks of pregnancy onwards does not seem to produce clinically important benefits. When used as a means for induction of labour, the reduction in the use of more formal methods of induction needs to be balanced against women's discomfort and other adverse effects. The abstract is here. My cons isn't really a fan. I'm 40w exactly today...

Hi I wish,

it depends really. You will get a load of people who say 'yes mine worked' but then you will hear from people like me who will say 'I've had two and they haven't worked'. I'm 41+1 btw.

My MW said that if they're going to work, they normally do so in 24-48 hours. It certainly sounds like your conditions are favourable. I do hope it works for you, fingers crossed.

Thanks. I'm just a bit fed up and probably behaving a bit desperate. Have been bouncing on a ball, sex every night for the past week, rasberry leaf caps, walking a lot. Don't want to take castor oil, as it can apparently make the baby pass meconuim, can't really do hot food. No change in head position for the past 3 weeks. I just have visions of my planned homebirth fly out the window...

You have a bunch of time left yet I know exactly how you feel though, and I hope it happens for you. FWIW, when I had my first baby, dd, MW attempted a sweep at around 41 weeks, she couldn't even perfom it, my cervix was too hard and closed, but I went into spontaneous labour a few days later anyhoo.

I have come to the conclusion that nothing shifts the buggers until they're ready! I'm being induced tomorrow scary stuff, eh well.

It's so miserable being overdue!

Sweeps always work for my sister, but never have worked for me. I am quite jealous, wish they did work for me.
Hi stayfrosty, how are you holding up/
I am a week overdue (or something, who's counting.....). I have been having contractions that are a bit different from the ones I have been having the past few weeks. So I am hoping this is it. I haven't dare to time them yet, but I think they are around 10 minutes apart. I can't ignore them. But knowing my body I will probably still be here in a few days. I even took paracetomol today, just to see if it worked. No the do not. Damn it.

didn't work for me either time. obstetrician said there was no evidence to suggest it does work, just something to do!

do try i mean

Hi Deeeja,

you still here too then?

I hope things get going for you.

Paracetomol is a load of bollocks isn't it? It does nowt for me either. Eh well, this time tomorrow and all that.

I had 3 sweeps and they didn't work. I think they only work if you are ready.
I used a breastpump in the end and this really kicked off my contractions. I gave birth soon after! I know how you feel :-)

Hey Frog

I had sweep number 3 last night and am now in ealy labour. I am, however, 42+4 by hops dates. Yet again, am in labour on the date I predicted, which disagrees with hops dates!

So IMO no, they're only going to work if your body is optimally ready for labour anyway.

oh good luck Puffy!!!

thank you Ruby

good luck puffy! How exciting.