So..... Sweeps: Did it work for you???

[sallybean]

Argh! I'm a week overdue with, what is predicted to be a BIG Bubba (no.2) & going for a sweep tomorrow. I just wondered, in your collective experiences, whether they are really effective & how quickly they took effect. I'm not massively bothered about being overdue, just that he's still growing!!!
Thanks in advance xx

Ps. Tried all the usual things too .... Nothing!

Yes, I had a sweep with both of my overdue babies. They both started to work within a few hours. It really hurt the first time, but was fine with the second. Good luck!

Yes my sweep definitely worked!

They say if its going to work, it'll be within 48 hours. Be prepared for on/off contractions- it may not kick off straight away but it doesn't mean it hasn't worked.

I was very impatient after mine and expected baby to arrive within the hour bit like a take away

Watching with interest.....first DC due on Saturday.

I was told at yesterday's midwife appointment that they "would" be doing a sweep next week .

In two minds about whether to refuse or not. I won't be that overdue next Wed and I'm quite keen just to let nature take its course....on the other hand, if it works etc....

From what I understand from hypnobirthing teacher and nct is that they will only work if your cervix is favourable. So you might have gone in to labour anyway.

Had a sweep at 40+3 with DD and she was born at 40+4

Yes, twice.

Yes, had a sweep on the thurs which set things off but DD not born till the sat so was a long process for me.

I had 4. Ended up being induced. Apparently I have a "most unfavourable cervix".

Not for me I'm afraid. Had 3 of the bloody things and DS arrived a whopping 16 days late regardless of sweeps. They gave me weak on and off contractions after each one which I found really frustrating, as kept thinking things might be starting but then it all faded out.

same as Howi 3 of the things and nothing but a close friend had sweeps with both of hers and worked. good luck Sally and Shiney

I had 2 sweeps with dc2, the first did nothing but labour started about 6 hours after the second one. I was 40+12 by then so was probably going to go into labour anyway.

I've also heard they only work if you're imminent anyway. I'm meant to be having one today but am going to decline - I'm 40+6 by their dates but only 40+1 by mine (which are bloody right, but that's another story!) I feel like I would rather let things take their course for now, although will have one next week if nothing has happened.

There is a risk your waters could be broken, which is what scares me, because then you're on a countdown - have to have the baby within 48 hours or so.

I had a sweep for both DCs after going overdue but in both cases I was already dilating before the sweep - in both cases the midwives said I'd probably be giving birth that night, and in both cases they were right!

The sweeps at least gave me that information so that I could eat my considerable bodyweight in pasta, get some rest, check my hospital bag and get DH on standby. As well as some random nesting shit like sorting out the kitchen cupboards (because obviously the baby would care that the kitchen cupboards were tidy).

Mine didn't work, but try anything to avoid hospital induction.

I turned down a sweep at 40+3 and my waters broke a few hours after I would have had it. So if I had had it, I would have been convinced they work

I had 3 sweeps, the latter was done at lunchtime, and DS2 was born at 1508, BUT I think the mw didn't tell me that I was further dilated than I thought as she bet that we would be back before 3pm.

Didn't work with none of my 4 pregnancies. Baby will come when he or she is ready, failing that imo the only thing that works is induction

Thank you ladies, as I suspected- a mixed bag of experiences. I've been having pains, twinges, BH's etc for about 2 weeks but nothing coming as yet.
Will let you know tomorrow.
The only reason I'm keen to get it going is because of his size & I want delivery to be as natural as poss.

Nope. But then neither did the induction.

Well. I'm 3cm dilated, waters bulging ready to burst, contractions/BH'S while I was there. Mw couldn't understand why,he hadn't appeared. Another sweep booked for Monday. Induction booked for Wed - she said it would be the easiest of inductions with no pessary, just ROM. So now, just waiting...

I was 3cm at mine sally and dd arrived within 48 hours

Yes mine worked.

It got labour started when Ds was in a terrible position resulting in a much more painful labour, a prolonged second stage which led to oxygen deprivation (which I believe caused his autism), meconium and an assisted delivery.

Subsequently I would refuse.

Yep had a sweep at 4pm, 12hrs later I had given birth and tucking into my tea and toast

Oh Starlight, what an awful experience for you. I had a prolonged second stage last time & ended up on a drip, with assisted delivery & having to take my DS to neo-natal twice a day, which was awful, but not to have to endure a prolonged problem like autism, can't imagine how difficult that must be. That said, as a teacher, I've taught some of the most amazing autistic pupils.

Anya.... I'm hoping for your experience!!!!

Yes it worked, was in labour 12 hrs later.