cervical sweeps

[rebeccabits]

Im 37 weeks gone with my first child and have been told to expect a xxxL baby, doctor not allowing me to go full term but is starting me with a sweep next week and i would like to hear from other people who have had this procedure and if it was succesful or painful.

[debs26]

wasnt painful, but not exactly pleasant (in same way smears are not pleasant iykwim). i had three done, had a bit of a show and a few contractions after each. it didnt actually start me off but i think it got me closer and i went into labour naturally a few days after third (1st time i did it without being induced - 3rd baby). even if it doesnt make labour start im sure it will help and my midwife said they had a fairly high success rate so it does work for many women. good luck with birth, dont worry about size of baby, they usually cant be very sure anyway and fwiw i couldnt tell any difference between ds1 (9lb13) and ds2 (8lb7)

[rebeccabits]

Thank for that debs, its the not knowing that scares me, i have read so much on the negative that it is nice to have some positive feedback as the doctor`s really want natural labour to start, before they begin on the induction route. Im helping them all i can with the raspberry leaf tea and pineapples!!!

[Magscat]

Not painful but 'uncomfortable' - I'd say more so than a smear test but it's over quickly.

Didn't work for me at all but neither did 4 doses of induction gel the 1st time. Think my babies just get too damn comfy & don't want to come out (had 2 sections).

Good luck.

[Magscat]

PS - do you know that sex is supposed to help induce labour too ? Semen has the same hormone in it that's used in induction.

[debs26]

i would talk to your midwife, they are usually more clued up (and nicer) than doctors. its over in a few seconds. 1st babies are terrifying whatever your circumstances, but if it was that bad none of us would have had 2nd, 3rd etc..

[rebeccabits]

I've been trying the sex route but my hubby is so damn horney he keeps wasting it, if you know what i mean will keep trying every natural remedy and wives tale till then. Thanks for reasurring me that its not painful.

[rebeccabits]

See my midwife has not been particularly helpful she is like one of those old school matrons, so im a bit scared of her which is why i have turned to you guys.

[Magscat]

Are you ok about the idea of a section if it comes to it?

There's loads on here about sections if you need to know. I was terrified - not at all what I'd wanted but both turned out great.

Sounds like it's not what you want though so fingers crossed the sex/tea/curry/walking methods work for you.

[debs26]

thats a shame rebecca, never mind i for one am happy to give as many gory details as required if it makes you feel better.

[rebeccabits]

The consultant has been fantastic, there is the possiblity of a section if everything else fails, but at least they are prepared to try everything first.I did get teary when the consultant told me that i would have to go to the labour ward at the large horrible hospital rather than at the beautiful cottage hospital i was booked into, so no pool, whale music, birthing chair, just a cold sterile hospital bed overlooking a premiership football ground, but as long as me and junior are fine i couldn't care less.

[Distracted]

I had a succesful sweep with my first, but had 3 sweeps with my 2nd and he still didn't get moving! I did have a show and some niggling minor contractions after each and I did also dilate a bit after each so that in the end I could have my waters broken to induce me rather than syntocin. For me they were definitely less uncomfortable than a smear.

Did you know that reflexology can help? Re. pineapples, think you have to eat at least one whole pineapple in a day. I got to be a bit of an expert on this one having had 2 late babies now! My MW always said that the one really successful method is sex (& try to stay lying down for as long as poss afterwards, to keep the semen, which contains prostaglandins, on the cervix).

Good luck