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Pregnancy

Sweep!! are they really a horrible as i imagine?

26 replies

woodhj · 15/01/2010 16:15

Are sweeps really horrible. I really want to go naturally as friends say they are not very nice. Any comments and experiences?

OP posts:
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StealthPolarBear · 15/01/2010 16:17

Mine was pretty horrible, sorry, had G&A and needed it (and only needed G&A for the birth too)
But I had a particularly annoying hidden cervix apparently so made it much harder than it should have been

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StealthPolarBear · 15/01/2010 16:17

what I meant was hopefully yours will be better, not trying to justify the G&A!

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neenz · 15/01/2010 16:17

No it is not horrible, it was quite uncomfortable but over very quickly. I barely remember it.

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SpiderWilliam · 15/01/2010 16:20

Not too bad at all. No worse than a smear test. DS flinched when the MW hit the spot (so to speak), so he certainly wasn't keen.

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piprabbit · 15/01/2010 16:20

It's over quickly and is generally little more than uncomfortable.

Once you go into labour everyone passing the end of your bed will shove their hand up your fanjo to check on progress, a sweep isn't too much different.

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ihavenewsockson · 15/01/2010 16:20

Not horrible, bit uncomfortable but relax nad it will be over before you know it!

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JackBauer · 15/01/2010 16:25

I had 4 with DD2, (I had to go into labour before a set date to avoid CS pressure)
The one by the consultant was fine, bit uncomfy but not painful, the next 2 by midwifes were okay, again, not pleasant but didn't actually hurt.
The last one really, really hurt. I was warned that she would not be too gentle and she wasn't. BUT I went into full on established labour 3 hours later (had been having mild contractions for 5 days at this point)

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sunchild77 · 15/01/2010 16:27

Sorry, and not to worry you, but tbh I found it really really painful. I was 40+wks, and hardly dilated. Male consultant who did it. Think he was a bit rough... ow! I held the MWs hand, and even she said that it really shouldnt have hurt that much. I was really uncomfortable for the rest of the day, and went into a very slow on-off labour ending in emcs 3 days later

BUT, I have had friends who, (like past posters) said it was a walk in the park and had no effect!

Good luck!

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BigGapMum · 15/01/2010 16:28

I had three sweeps when pregnant (starting at 38 weeks) with DS as Drs were keen that I did not go too far overdue. I personally found them only slightly uncomfortable, however I understand that some women can find them a bit painful, so I prepared by taking a couple of paracetamol beforehand.

Also there is no evidence that sweeps actually work, ( my own MW doesn't believe that they do ) but took that chance thinking that a sweep did work it had to be better than being induced, and if it didn't work it wasn't really a big inconvenience.

In the end I'm sure that the 3rd sweep worked, as I went into labour the next morning.

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StealthPolarBear · 15/01/2010 16:43

just to add mine definitely worked
1cm and 'swept' at 8pm
home again
back at 10.30ish
dd born at 11.30pm
pain was definitely worth it - better than another 12 hours of labour

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morethemerrier · 15/01/2010 17:22

I had two sweeps, one on due date uncomfortable but tbh knew it would not have started me off as was no worse than a smear. Had another four days later bit more uncomfortable, but again nothing happened ds finally arrived 6 days later! So I have to agree that they only work if you are ready, give you a kick start and personally will be sticking to a bit of the old rumpy pumpy with this one much more fun !

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Purplebuns · 15/01/2010 17:37

I had 2 sweeps and the first one was uncomfortable, as I wasn't relaxed.

The second was fine!

I found it ached more afterwards and was only as if someone had been a bit 'rough' with me IYKWIM

Really not that bad

Good Luck!

I also endorse, bedroom activities.

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OrangeAnge · 15/01/2010 17:41

I've just had a sweep and it wasn't that bad at all. It was more uncomfortable than a smear (but then I find smears fine) but not painful. I felt the same, a little bit achey afterwards.

The midwife suggested pineapple and sex this weekend...

Good luck!

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StealthPolarBear · 15/01/2010 18:25

oooh OA how exciting

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ziggyf · 15/01/2010 19:42

I didn't feel any discomfort with my sweep so they aren't neccessarily horrible. I'd had a lot of foraging in my nether regions by that stage though (had lots of fertility treatment to get pg) so I think my ability to relax during the sweep helped. Also, I was already 1cm dilated and my waters had gone so not sure if that made a difference?

It'll be fine, it really is nothing compared to actual labour and birth!

Z x

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frogetyfrog · 15/01/2010 19:48

Make sure you are comfortable with who does it. I didnt find the actual process too bad but I was in taken to a small room away from the normal maternity block. I was taken in, told it was happening, a nurse was brought in and seconds later a doctor strode in and I was on bed with a doctor who hadnt even said hello with his hand up me. Horrible horrible horrible. I came out shaking feeling abused and have never got over it. The doctor just walked out after, and I was told to get dressed and come back when labour started. I sat in the car park sobbing for an hour after.

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MrsMattie · 15/01/2010 19:49

Mine wasn't too hideous. She said 'say stop if it hurts' and as soon as it went from niggly pain to 'fuck!' I yelled 'stop' and she did. It was a waste of time, though, in my case.

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MiniMarmite · 15/01/2010 19:54

well it isn't that pleasant but then, as ziggy says, it kind of becomes insignificant quite quickly!

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YoMoJo · 15/01/2010 19:55

NO - no worse than a smear. I had several as both my two were 2 weeks overdue.

I am sure that they did help to get things moving!

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jeminJanuaryWooHo · 15/01/2010 19:56

I didn't think it hurt at all- they just sweep their fingers around the cervix... a bit like when they measure you to see how dilated you are in labour.

To be honest, most midwives are lovely...you should be fine you know

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megapixels · 15/01/2010 19:58

Mine was quite unpleasant. My OB&G called it "stripping the membranes" and there was a very audible strrrrrrrrip sound as she did the procedure. Feel queasy everytime I think about it.

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Effjay · 15/01/2010 19:59

They're nothing compared to the birth! Sorry!

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YoMoJo · 16/01/2010 09:52

also i did my research when expecting ds1 & sweeps only effective if you are near to labour anyway. That is why the jury is out on whether they are effective or not.

my sweeps didnt start things going but i am pretty sure that they speeded things up! If you are only just overdue then i wouldnt bother, but if you are due to go in for induction then one 48-24 hrs before may help.

I thought "why not" as least invasive out of other induction methods!

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motherbeyond · 16/01/2010 09:58

mine hurt..but it set things off.i'd go for it.obviously not something you look forward to,but a means to an end...good luck

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Mama2b5 · 18/01/2010 21:05

Im wandering if i should go for a" DIY sweep" DH + latex gloves and a quick 2 finger job! ( LOL )
39 weeks walking like a cowboy false contraction for 2 nites straight not funny anymore!!!!!!!!

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