On a scale of 1 to 10 how painful is a sweep

[Wills]

I've been offered a sweep which I've never had before. My mother thinks its awful but she can also be a drama queen... So if 1 = a cervical smear, 5 = an Epidural and 10 = labour where would you put a sweep?

[Shells]

At a 2. No big deal.

[SpeedyMackechnie]

For me, 2 or 3

[shonaspurtle]

2

[KristinaM]

agree, a 2

[KristinaM]

put it this way, its better than getting induced

[Wills]

That's kind of the point. I've been induced twice and that was blooming painful. All contractions and no blasted action down below iyswim. Ok so so far its a 2 which heck is absolutely fine

[redsofas]

on the grand scale of things id say 2 aswell although not too painful id say more uncomfortable and embarasing.

[JesusChristOtterStar]

yes 2 not bad at all and generally my mindset has always been 'bring it on' by that stage!

[MegBusset]

Mine was a 2 or 3, really not too bad apart from strange doctor rummaging around in my cervix but then should be used to that by now. Labour started within 24 hours so definitely worth it (we did have sex that night just to make sure!)

[MegBusset]

I mean me and DH had sex, not me and strange doctor -- that would be weird

[mummyofthomas]

hi there, I had two sweeps with my first pregnancy.The first one was done by a lovely MW/DR who talked me through everything that was going on and was a little painful maybe a 3 ish. But sweep number 2 was done in a larger hospital and felt like everything was being very rushed, she didn't even explain what she was doing really just did it and had to stop because it was soooo painful more like a 6 I would say. Unfortunately for me they didn't work and I was induced which as others have said is v painful. I am due again in March and if I go overdue again I will definately opt for sweeps again, even if they are painful it's well worth it if they give you a chance of not having to be induced. Sorry for long post, hope all goes well for you

[Wills]

MegBusset - ah do you mean that the NHS doesn't think that's a useful way of induction

[aristocat]

1 or 2

[Wills]

mummyofthomas. I must admit I'm agreeing to this because I'd do a lot to avoid induction. I have 3 little ones already and my bp is up and I'm in and out of hospital at the moment and its driving the kids nuts. So a big massive fingers crossed although I do accept it may not happen.

[Plonker]

But mainly because I find it extremely embarrassing and uncomfortable, rather than painful.

[chickbean]

1 - less painful than a smear for me. And DS2 started coming 2 hours later.

[isittooearlyforgin]

really sorry, think i might me complete whimp but i'd say a 7, absolutely awful! I was very posterior and not at all ready and it didn't bring on labour. Infact nurse gave me gas and air to get through it. Think that if you're on the cusp it would be a lot less painful or maybe I'm just feeble!!

[Booyhoo]

for me a sweep wasnt painful, just slightly uncomfortable, but i was expecting agony so maybe that helped iyswim.

[redsofas]

isittooearly, gas and air for a sweep??!! bless your heart

[displayuntilbestbefore]

I can't have been ready enough for it either because it hurt like hell and did nothing to bring on labour. ds didn't arrive for a further 11 days so for me it was an unnecessary experience.
not had an epidural so can't compare but definitely nothing like a smear and lots of cramping afterwards. But, like Booyhoo says, better to expect the worst.
Expect a 7 and you will hopefully experience a 2!

[WomanwiththeYellowHat]

Sweep no. 1, DD1 - 7.5. Really hurt -I cried.

Sweep no.2 DD2 - was dreading it and it was a 0 - didn't hurt at all!

I think it depends on how ripe your cervix is (as well as the skill of the sweeper). No 2 was a consultant. No 1 was a midwife and I was just nowhere near ready to go into labour.

[isittooearlyforgin]

am pleased I wasn't alone in finding it painful and that it wasn't just my pathetic pain threshhold (though don't want to wish painful sweep on anyone)

[RnB]

no 1 was so painful I hit the roof - I wasn't ready for it (due date) and the bitch of a mw just did it with no warning while she was examining me

no 2 was fine (42 weeks)

[LadyOfTheFlowers]

I had 1 with DS2 and felt nothing.

[rubyslippers]

i found mine very uncomfortable and i asked the MW to stop

i have a high pain threshold and i found it a 5 - 6 TBH

i went into labour 2 hours later tho