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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

what does a sweep feel like?

30 replies

hostelgirl74 · 05/12/2011 15:27

Tommorrow my (first) baby will be a week late. On Wednesday they say they will offer me a sweep. I know the mechanics of it - ie what they will do but how does it feel? Also, this sounds silly but do you lie down while they do it? Things I can see on the web say things like "uncomfortable" but its a bit of a vague term really. Does it make you ache/bleed? I haven't a car so will have to get the bus back home afterwards. Also, does anyone know what the odds are of it working and bringing on labour?

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hairnets · 05/12/2011 15:32

Hi Hostel, my comments are fairly anecdotal but for what it is worth: I had a sweep at 40+2. I had severe SPD and practically dropped my kecks and pleaded with the midwife to do her worse else I wouldn't leave!

It felt much like a cervical smear I suppose. A vaguely different sensation but no more or less painful.

I was in no discomfort afterwards but it did bring on a "show"/ slight bleeding so pack some sanitary towels. I went in to labour 4 hours later.

Crawling · 05/12/2011 15:32

I had two and went into labor 24 hours later on both. They felt like a internal exam only a bit rougher. I didnt bleed but some do and I was fine after no cramping or anything.

mollschambers · 05/12/2011 15:32

You will have to assume the position you would for a smear. So lying down with knees bent. It can be uncomfortable. If it's any more than that then you can always ask m/w to stop - it's your body and you don't have to have a sweep. I don't recall feeling anything much afterwards. You'll be fine on bus. Didn't work for me but have friends who reckon it did.

blushingbaby · 05/12/2011 15:37

IME how much it hurts depends on who's doing it. I've just had my 6th. Uncomfortable, is probably the most accurate way to describe them, i always feel like i need a wee because it's just extra pressure on everything down there. After each i've felt dull period pains and bh contrsctions for the next few hrs. Is your bus journey far? you'll probably notice the bumps in the road that bit more! As for bringing on labour... well i'm on my 6th like i said so it really does depend. What it has done for me is to get me from 1-2cm and 'thick' to 4cm and stretchy so I feel I've got a little bit of a head start when labour (fingers crossed) does start.
Oh my second also caused me to have a massive bloody show which lasted days (just felt like having a really heavy period)
HTH
Good luck

Flisspaps · 05/12/2011 16:17

Assume the 'smear' position (very nice)

My first one didn't feel any different to a smear - didn't work though (41w)
My second one (which I didn't consent to, thought I was just being checked to see how dilated I was before commencing induction) really fucking hurt, and had I not been so shocked by it (seeing as I wasn't asked if I consented to a sweep) I would have clamped my legs shut on the MWs hand to stop myself from kicking her. That did no good anyway, was still induced the following day (42+1)

For some people they cause cramps (like period pain), for others they don't cause anything at all. You should be absolutely fine to get the bus back home after, just take a couple of paracetamol with you (and a pad, just in case you bleed a bit - think light spotting - or get a nice big show)

I won't be consenting to one at all this time. Seeing as they're generally only done on women who are "overdue" anyway, the likelihood of going into labour without one is pretty high.

soapy4 · 06/12/2011 06:16

It was nothing like a smear test they are awful, just a bit uncomfortable her fingers move around in side down there it was fine really the internals are the worst they were like smear tests ohh yuk

cookie9 · 07/12/2011 08:16

About same level as smear test for discomfort. You may want to bring in your own sanitary pads otherwise you will be given one of the massive maturity ones the hospital has. Fingers crossed it works for you.

ExquisiteChristmasCake · 07/12/2011 08:19

With my first the sweep was verging on painful with my second (born a few days ago) the sweep was pain free ad was already 7 cms!!

AntarcticEther · 07/12/2011 08:23

My midwife attempted one yesterday on me at 40+6 and she couldn't do it because my cervix was closed and posterior . Made me feel a bit defeated . I didn't really notice anything until she started to prod my cervix , which was a mild discomfort . No idea what its like if they manage to do a sweep .

Got another attempt booked for Sunday . Good luck.

ExquisiteChristmasCake · 07/12/2011 12:39

Antarctic my sweep with my first was the same. My cervix was closed and tilted. I gave birth within 15 hours of having it!

TimothyClaypoleLover · 07/12/2011 14:41

hairnets that is interesting that you had a sweep at 40 + 2 as I was told last week by my MW that a sweep can not be done before 41 weeks. Assumed because cervix might still be closed thus making it painful/futile.

daenerysstormborn · 07/12/2011 14:47

it's a bit like your dh/dp trying unsuccessfully to find your g-spot.

GreyRosesAreMyFavourite · 07/12/2011 15:29

When some friends and I were all pregnant with our first babies, the first one of us to be due and to have a sweep needed a gin and tonic afterwards to recover!! Since then, we unanimously decided the gin was required before the sweep. (Paracetamol would be a good alternative if you are more cautious about alcohol in pregnancy. But for myself, a nice G&T beforehand helped no end .)

mrsalwaysawake · 07/12/2011 16:54

My midwife told me I could have a sweep as soon as I got to full term.
Saw her at 39+5, booked just in case for sweep at 40+1, DS born 39+6 - I reckon the idea of the sweep hurried him in to coming out on his own!

ExquisiteChristmasCake · 07/12/2011 18:44

Timothy- usually with the first they like to wait until +7 but with following pregnancies they're more lenient and let you book for your due date should you want to. I think it depends on the protocol of the community MWs

Listzilla · 07/12/2011 19:37

My consultant was so rough that my whole body slid up the bed a few inches. It wasn't terribly painful but I was glad when it was over! I was pretty tender afterwards, unsurprisingly, and I did bleed.

I was still induced 5 days later though.

AReindeerCalledHorse · 10/12/2011 02:38

Sorry to hijack; I'm booked in for a sweep at 39wks, I've never had a smear test (won't be old enough for them until next year) so can't compare it to that...is it similar to putting in a too-large tampon?

ExquisiteChristmasCake · 10/12/2011 06:23

They ask you to lie on your back and put your ankles together so your knees are bent out to the sides. They insert their fingers and rotate them and move them from side to side basically loosening things up. Then it's done. Most MWs are very good and will be gentle. They do it as long as is comfortable for you. Let us m ow how you get on!

KenDoddsDadsDog · 10/12/2011 06:34

It's uncomfortable but not painful. I had mine done at home so it was a bit more relaxing. No bleeding / cramping and it did start my contractions off.

HughBastard · 10/12/2011 06:52

I've had three. None of them worked.

One was pretty painful - brought tears to my eyes.
One was extremely painful and I went to the loo and cried afterwards. Horrible midwife.
One was mildly uncomfortable.

Slight bleeding afterwards all three times. Went on to be induced anyway.

Daisybell1 · 10/12/2011 09:29

I think it depends on how favourable your cervix is. Mine was closed and unfavorable so the stretch and sweep I had sent me through the roof. Sorry to scare you :-( I needed gas and air to get me through the sweeps even after 5 prostins, but that's probably because baby just wasn't budging...

AReindeerCalledHorse · 10/12/2011 14:55

ChristmasCake thanks for the indepth answer, considering how graphic most of the internet it...it's surprisingly hard to get a straight answer about sweeps from google

Is there any reason they fail on some people (is there anything I can do/take to help outcome), or is it just luck of the draw?

FunnysInTheGarden · 10/12/2011 14:59

both times I had sweeps they were painful, plus they did nothing to start labour and I was induced at 40 + 11 with both DC.

@ GrayRoses, why didn't I think of that!

FunnysInTheGarden · 10/12/2011 15:01

AReindeer they only work if you are fairly near to going into labour I think. Thats the reason they didn't work for me. My DC wanted to stay put as long as possible!

ExquisiteChristmasCake · 10/12/2011 15:05

I think it depends. I personally believe sweeps just knock you over the edge do if you're close anyway they just stimulate the membrane to trigger it. My first dc was painful but my cervix was closed and unfavourable....however he was born within 12 hours. My second dc was born last Saturday. I had an internal examination on the Friday at home and the mw said I was 7cms dilated so she swept me anyway and I didn't feel a thing. Ds 2 was born on Saturday 4.30 am!! It is uncomfortable and can be painful. My mw said the more it hurts the more good it's doing as it loosens things more to your benefit. Practise your labour breathing while it's being done

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