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Original poster

could a sweep bring on labour quickly?

14 replies

skewiff · 02/05/2011 21:12

I'm just wondering. As I'm nearly 41 weeks and have a sweep booked on Wednesday.

Should I take my partner with me, or will I be alright to go on my own and come back on the bus? Its an hours journey.

My son will be at nursery. Should I make arrangements for him? Or is the whole thing likely to take lots of hours?

Thank you.

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chocolatelover1234 · 02/05/2011 22:08

Hi i think it really depends. For me a sweep did nothing it was still another 5 days till DD arrived! Whereas my friend wen't into labour 4 hours after her sweep!

They do say second time happens quicker though. I'g give your midwife a call and ask what she thinks i'm a bit of a worry wart and would want DH there and make arrangements for other child just incase.

Hope you don't have to wait too long good luck.

AlmightyCitrus · 02/05/2011 22:23

AFAIK, if your body is on the verge of labour, then yes a sweep might make it happen a little quicker. If you're not ready then the sweep won't make any difference.
I think at 41 weeks I might want to avoid an hour each way on a bus though...bumpy can also help set things off!

LadyMetroland · 02/05/2011 22:33

Ask your midwife to do a home visit. at 41 weeks you shouldn't be having to take a two hour round trip on a bus.

As almighty says, if you're ready it could make things happen fairly quickly. I had a sweep with dd1 and went into labour a few hours later.

Leilababyno1 · 03/05/2011 19:15

Just out of interest LadyMetroland- how many days over were you when you had your sweep with DD1?

I am having a sweep tomorrow, I will be 40+4 with my first and hoping it gets things moving..

honeylamb · 03/05/2011 19:22

I had a sweep with ds2 at 39+6, went into labour 12 hours later! Agree with LadyMetroland, see if you can get a home visit, failing that is there someone to drive you? I wouldn't do an hour bus journey if I could help it. It can be painful/uncomfortable after (period pains) and cause bleeding.

Good luck!

Flisspaps · 03/05/2011 19:24

I had a sweep at 41 weeks, DD was born at 42+2, so no guarantee it'll do anything at all!

On the plus side, I had no pain or bleeding after it.

OwlMother · 03/05/2011 19:27

With ds2 (my third) I had a sweep at 39+4, whick didn't do much, and another at 40 weeks. He was born about 2 hours after the second one.

I think I only had it twice as I was about 5cm dilated from about 38 weeks. Does leave you feeling quite uncomfortable afterwards though.

deemented · 03/05/2011 19:32

I had a sweep at 39 weeks with DD. I had it done at 4.30pm, left the hospital to go and pick up DS2 from my dads and started having contractions at 5.30 - every 3 minutes lasting a minute a time. DD was born at 12.55am the next morning.

TotorosOcarina · 03/05/2011 19:36

Last time my sweep started labour immediatly, I had cramping and very strong BHs from the time she did it, DD was born by next morning. I could have made it home easily on the bus.

This time sweep has done nothing, had one a week ago tomorrow.

Original poster
skewiff · 03/05/2011 22:05

Thank you for all your replies.

I am going to go on the bus tomorrow. Today I got so fed up with all the waiting and putting things on hold that I did loads and none of it (swimming, walking really fast for an hour, bouncing on a birthing ball etc) has set labour off.

In the car at the weekend we went over lots of speed bumps and nothing got set off. So I'm not worried about the bus.

But I will take some pads in case I bleed. And also be aware that it might happen quickly. The midwife did not say this could happen today, when I called and asked. So its good to know that it did happen for some of you.

OP posts:
LifesComplicated · 05/05/2011 11:07

Hi all. Skewiff- how did you find your sweep? Any success? I'm 41+2 and so far haven't had a single check or examination, and have to wait til tomorrow afternoon (no specified appt time tho) for my mw to show up at my house to offer my first sweep. Just wondering what to ask for in terms of further planning for incase it doesn't set anything off over weekend? Im mindful of the fact I'm fast approaching 42weeks and therefore scared that il end up being induced in hosp which would completely ruin my birth plan which is to have water birth in MLU. :-( Any advice on what to ask my mw for tomorrow?? Thanks x

Original poster
skewiff · 06/05/2011 22:29

Yes I had the sweep - sorry only just seen your post.

It made me have period pains for a bit, but they have worn off now and I'm back to feeling fine and no pains at all.

It did make the mucous plug come out too ...

But seeing as it was on Wednesday and today is Friday I don't think the sweep was successful.

I am 41 +3 so about the same as you. Am booked for an induction on Wednesday and like you want to avoid it.

You will have seen your midwife by now - did you have a sweep? What did your mw say?

OP posts:
Dartfordmummy · 07/05/2011 18:37

I had a sweep and my DD2 arrived 1 hr 57 mins later!!

pearlgirl · 08/05/2011 09:53

With ds 4 I had 3 sweeps between 40weeks and 41+4 - and ended up with induction at 41+6.

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