Stupid questions about my sweep today

[Pooky77]

40 weeks today and going for a sweep later on. Not really sure what to expect but my stupid questions are should I eat first or will it make me feel sick and will I be ok to drive myself home after? Anyone had one work at this point how long did it take before your baby arrived?

[Imaystillbedrunk]

Yep you can eat before hand. Its not painful but it is uncomfortable. That may make you feel queesy depending on how you react to that sort of feeling, but only while it is happening. I didn't feel sick but I started getting cramps pretty soon afterwards. My first at 40+7 failed but my second one at 40+10 worked and I had irregular cramping for about 6 hours and then regular mild contractions after than.

[annlee3817]

I went for a walk around the shops after I had my first one, I was a bit crampy but nothing more than that. My second one, I drove home with no issues :)

[GreenGoblin0]

eat as normal. you'll be fine to drive. it's just like a smear but more invasive / uncomfortable

midwife will only be able to perform sweep if cervix is favourable. my first one she couldn't do it. second one at 41+3 she was able to do. had bloody show the same night and then waters broke following day. still ended up needing to be hormones to speed up labour as labour didn't progress. baby born at 42 weeks.

I think there are differing views on whether sweeps will work - some will say they are only effective if you are close to going into labour.

[Theyhaveallbeenused2]

Your ok to eat and drive as said above it is just uncomfortable. I was 3cm when she done my sweep had my ds that night. Hope it goes well!

[Pooky77]

Great thanks for all your replies. I'm on the fence about it working as literally had no signs of labour being close but I'm only allowed to go one week over so I figure if it works it avoids being induced.

[Hln]

I had a successful sweep (i.e. baby appeared 15 hrs later) from a midwife with a rep for being a super-sweeper.

It was uncomfortable in terms of her getting most of her hand up in there but I felt fine with only some mild cramping for a few hours after, until the real pains started.

[Whatsername17]

If you do end up being induced it isn't that bad. Dd2 was born after induction a month ago. It was very quick x

[peaceloveandbiscuits]

I can imagine a sweep being sore and uncomfortable if you aren't favourable at the time. Apparently I was already 2cm dilated when I had mine! Had sweep at 5pm, had period pain cramps immediately afterwards and contractions started at 1am, waters went 5am (12 hours later). Baby was born 12pm.

Good luck!

[AreWeThereYet000]

I had a sweep yesterday - 1cm dilated and it was more uncomfortable than painful and was fine afterwords. I've lost the rest of my mucus plug this morning but nothing else has happened. Fingers crossed the next one works x

[Pooky77]

No joy for me I'm afraid she couldn't reach my cervix and it was really painful. Back to bouncing on my ball instead

[AreWeThereYet000]

Oh dear that's a shame. Always next time! Did she book another for you? X

[Pooky77]

No just booked an induction for next week if LO doesn't come on his own