Stretch & Sweep - what to expect?

[iamdivergent]

Booked in for a stretch & Sweep on Sunday when I'll be 41wks. Previously had spontaneous deliveries at 38+1 and 40+0 so no experience of this.

I'm wondering if it's similar to an internal?
How long is it likely to take? (Family member unavailable to have dds when s&s booked so they will be staying in car with dh)
What should I expect afterwards? ie should I take painkillers, wear a pad that sort of thing?

FWIW I had mw out as suspected was in labour almost a fortnight ago and cervix was soft, I was between 1-2cm then but not fully effaced - don't know if this makes a difference or not.

Mw has said if it's going to work it will do so within 48hrs, and I've been provisionally booked in for a second on Tuesday if the first fails and induction likely end of next week if the second fails.

Thank you

[Maybebabybee]

Tbh mine bloody hurt. And I'm not funny about stuff like that usually, smears don't bother me at all.

I don't really see the point of them - there's very little evidence to show they do anything. Baby will come when baby is ready.

Though if you're overdue and really fed up I do understand how that feels! I just don't like unnecessary intervention. But that is just me.

[Maybebabybee]

Sorry didn't finish

I bled a little so yes would take a pad!!

[hopeful31yrs]

I found it a little uncomfortable but it was ok. Same as doing an internal examination to check dilation but they then run the fingers around the opening in the cervix to release hormones. Didn't take much longer than an internal either. Mine ?worked - don't really know if it helped as I was having period type pain anyway and I'd gone in with suspected hind water leak anyway. Had my DD the next morning at 10:20

[iamdivergent]

Thanks - I will wear/take a pad.

Not looking forward to it but anything to try and get this little man shifted as he seems way too happy to stay where he is

[Runningupthathill82]

Mine was fine. Less uncomfortable than a smear and over in a couple of minutes.
I spotted a bit afterwards, so take a pad.

Although I was 2cm dilated though, DD didn't turn up for another 10 days!

[Sunflower30]

I experienced a little discomfort at the time and was a bit sore for the rest of the day. It was quick though, just a minute or 2. Was told I was 2cm dilated but still had to be induced at +12. Good luck!

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

I had 3, two ok, one was excruciating. Wonder if it depends on the midwife's skills.

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

My cervix was favourable apparently and it made no difference.

[daisywhoopsie]

Mine was fine pain wise, bled a small amount and I had my son later that day!

[iamdivergent]

That's the outcome I'd like daisy

[daisywhoopsie]

Fingers crossed for you!

[Mummyme87]

My first one by consultant did nothing and was slightly uncomfortable. My second one by the midwife a few days later was very uncomfortable but within 30mins had back ache. Then went on to have propess a few hours later which Worked quickly.

[iamdivergent]

Apparently the mw who is going to be performing it has years of experience, so I have that going for me. I am hoping baby decides to make an appearance before the sweep is required though time is running out!

[StinkyMcgrinky]

Had one last week and it was absolutely fine, no worse than an internal exam and over within a few seconds really. Speculum and setting up takes the longest amount of time.

I had my son 27hours later

[iamdivergent]

Ok - I wasn't aware that they use a speculum I have issues there, smears are a nightmare due to tilted cervix eeeck

[Mummyme87]

Shouldn't be done with a soeculum

[KateBeckett]

I had one yesterday, no speculum! Didn't take long, didn't hurt though I had a little spotting.

I had mine in prep for being induced a week early on Monday.

[MrsMargoLeadbetter]

Mine was a bit painful. The consultant counted down which helped so I knew it would be over. I went into labour just under 48hrs later. I did also have reflexology too.

Good luck, it is worth a go.

[iamdivergent]

Thanks all. Fx there is no speculum as I'm sure I'll just clench up and it'll be a no go!

[StinkyMcgrinky]

Sorry, it probably was without the speculum! I was in early labour for 5 days so had a lot of hands and procedures done up there!

You're all right, I had an internal exam by the consultant which used the speculum and a stretch and sweep by the midwife shortly after without. My initial statement remains though, not painful just a few seconds discomfort

[iamdivergent]

Phew, thanks stinky

[LittleGreyCatwithapinkcollar]

Mine wasn't painful. Dd turned up 17 hours later.

[iamdivergent]

Just a thought - would wearing a dress make it easier so I can just pull it back down afterwards - in my head that's a good idea!

[iamdivergent]

Had the sweep this morning; not pleasant but not the worst, it felt a bit bizarre as I could feel the membranes moving - freaky! Been having low level cramping since. I'm 3cm, cervix very soft and stretchy but not effaced but she said you can go from 0-100% in hours so it doesn't mean anything for subsequent births. Baby is head down, 3/5 engaged (I was 4/5 on Tuesday and she says he is further down) but he is on his side, she was able to perform the sweep very easily. I haven't had any bleeding etc since.

Second sweep booked for Tuesday afternoon and we'll discuss induction then, she said they'll likely get me booked in for the next available slot unless I want to wait until 40+14 - no thanks! 😂

[StinkyMcgrinky]

Glad it went well OP!!

Hope things get moving soon, the waiting is the worst