Did having a sweep work for you?

[NoobyNoob]

I'm booked in to have a sweep next Wednesday and I'll be 37+1. Did it work for you? I have until that Friday to go into labour on my own before I go into hospital and have a medical induction.

So, did you find it worked for you? Did you have any pain after the sweep?

TIA x

It did kind of work for me. Had a sweep and my waters broke about 8 hours later. However I had to be induced as nothing happened after that!
Had some cramping afterwards and then mild contractions.
Good luck!

Thank you :)

Feel really nervous, the MW said it's just like having intercourse! So I thought why not let me do that then instead of shoving your fingers up there!

mmm, it wasn't for me! It's not pleasant, more like a pap test, but not painful.

It definitely worked for me, I had one in the morning (about 10 am I think) and then around 1 am I started feeling period-like pain, but managed to sleep, then around 5am I was having contractions.

Good luck!

Probably did. However I was already having signs of labour. I'd been having bits of 'show' for a few days beforehand.

Labour started the evening before the sweep was to happen so the threat of one definitely worked.

I was the same as spottydog - couldn't have a sweep because my cervix was still totally closed but then went into labour a few days later anyway.

Yes, had daughter 48 hours later (well unless I was going into labour anyway)

Have you thought of also trying acupuncture for induction?

I bloody hope so as had one this morning. Am 39 weeks. Had achey/cramps since and bit of a show (I think) but nothing major yet.

I did have one with number 2 at 6 days over, It did nothing.

I swear it did. Had a sweep Thursday afternoon. Labour started late Friday evening and she arrived Saturday.

Nothing like intercourse though....! As above - like a smear test but without the speculum therefore not as uncomfortable.

Hope it works for you.

Successful for me with DS. I saw a consultant at 40+8 to discuss going post-term (42 weeks+). She offered me a sweep at the end of the appointment (was booked for one with my midwife the next day anyway). Result was a sweep ( not the most pleasant thing, but bearable) and the view that I was 2cm, nearly 3cm dilated anyway, and highly likely to deliver by the end week.

Walked out of the appointment at 10am and started feeling very mild period pains 5 mins later. Pains came regularly every 10 mins until the evening.

Went to bed and was woken up by an almighty contraction at 6am. A few hours early labour, then an official labour of 4hr 30 mins, start to finish, with 2hrs 30 of that pushing (DS back to back and cord around his neck making things difficult).

Hmm ...

I've just had a sweep 4 hours ago. I'm afraid to say a smear test is far more pleasant. It hurt like hell for me but am beginning to think that maybe because my cervix was not ready and the consultant did it anyhow.

I was bleeding afterwards but it's stopped about an hour ago. I did get tightenings and I've had constant period like cramps since then. A bath helped tremendously but 30 minutes since the cramps are back with avengence.

I'm only 39 weeks + 4 days but because I'm losing fluid and close to 40 weeks, they've decided to induce me tomorrow morning. I think I may go into labour early hours.

Fingers crossed for you. I have also had a bath and all pains have gone.

One thing that IS different is that I feel like the baby is even lower now. Like he is hanging/about to fall out (I am on number 3 so know that is not likely! This is a development since earlier and now hoping that it means something!

Good luck x

I had 2 sweeps with dd and neither of them started labour. I ended up being induced several days later

No. They only work if you're close to going into labour naturally anyway which is why they're not normally offered until 41 weeks - the earlier it's done, the less chance there is of the cervix being dilated enough to admit a finger.

I had to have a sweep with DS2 and went into labour about 12 hours later. Its not pleasant but not horrific. Good luck OP

Nope. Had 3 with dd and still had to be induced. Sorry.

I had 5!! Starting on my due date, until i was 40 + 8The first 4 my cervix wasn't opened properly so they didn't work, but then neither did the last. Not nice really, I went home and had a long bath after each one. I gave up and went into labour at 40 + 10

Hmmm, that's odd they want to do a sweep then. It's not because I want one however, I have OC and they want the baby out sooner rather than later. I thought I'd have a pessary like I did the first time round, but I guess they want to try it this way first. Hope it doesn't hurt too much!

Thanks for all the replies though, interesting to read :)

I had one yesterday at 40+4. I think that's quite early but the baby is big, and there are a lot of closure days over this festive period. I was hopeful as I was 2-3cm dilated at the time. But I haven't had any contractions and the baby has not appeared yet!

As for pain, yes for me it hurt quite a lot more than a smear, but my midwife did have massive hands. But it only lasts a minute or two. The cramps have lasted 24 hours so far but mostly relieved by paracetamol and baths.

I've never heard it being described as anything like sex! They actually insert fingers far enough into the cervix to feel the baby's head, if they can get in, so it is BOUND to hurt or at least be uncomfortable! Maybe it depends how dilated you are.

It's definitely worth a go - it may help to avoid being induced, which I think it much more painful. I would do it again.

None of mine worked, had 3 with ds1 and about 10 with ds2. Nothing shifted my boys, in fact ds2 was dragged out by cs after 5 days of failed induction