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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

How likely is a sweep to work at 41 weeks & 2nd pregnancy?

34 replies

inadreamworld · 14/01/2013 22:53

Midwife coming to do a sweep on Wednesday when I will be 41 weeks. This is my 2nd pregnancy. I was induced on the drip at 40 + 8 with DD. Waters started leaking and I didn't go into labour naturally. I would like to avoid the drip again if possible as it was very painful and I had a pph (over a litre of blood) which I think is more likely when you are induced.

I am worried that the sweep will just give me period pains and be really uncomfortable and won't actually make me go into labour. So my question is - how likely is it to work and should I bother?

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sumrandomgirl · 14/01/2013 23:17

3 pregnancys an it never worked once...just made me feel like I had been prodded an poked haha.

Original poster

inadreamworld · 14/01/2013 23:28

Oh well.....worth a try I suppose, thanks sumrandomgirl (great name btw)

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CointreauVersial · 14/01/2013 23:31

Worked for me with DD2, was in established labour within 24 hours.

But I was probably ready to drop anyway.

Worth a try.....

Original poster

inadreamworld · 15/01/2013 08:11

Cointreau it's good to hear that! Midwife says sweeps are more likely to work with a 2nd pregnancy as cervix should be already a bit open.

OP posts:

ClairesTravellingCircus · 15/01/2013 08:20

Worked for me. Second pregnancy, 41+2, sweep in the morning, she was born later that night

Best of luck!!

ClairesTravellingCircus · 16/01/2013 09:01

How did it go op? Did it work?

Original poster

inadreamworld · 16/01/2013 11:07

Had it this morning. Cervix 1cm and soft which she said is to be expected in 2nd pregnancy. Didn't hurt just uncomfortable - nothing happened yet - no bleeding and no pains of any kind. MW said give it 48 hrs.

OP posts:

Flisspaps · 16/01/2013 11:12

Didn't work for me. I went to 40+16 with DD (induced, I also had a PPH) and 40+11 (their dates, 40+1 by mine) with DS. I had a sweep both times, but with DS it was four days after the sweep that I went into labour naturally anyway. I had a PPH with DS too, but then I'd had forceps with both babies.

If you want to avoid the drip or induction, you can opt for expectant management if you so wish (not everyone knows this - some women are led to believe that induction is their only option once they reach 40+10/11/12/14) - it is up to you to weigh up the risks and benefits of each option.

ClairesTravellingCircus · 16/01/2013 11:59

fingers crossed for you, hope something happens soon!

CPtart · 16/01/2013 12:06

Worked for me. Had sweep eight days overdue and gave birth later several hours later and very quickly too!

Original poster

inadreamworld · 16/01/2013 13:17

Thanks everyine fliss will probably go with induction to be on the safe side. Midwife says they are not allowed to give you such a high dose of the drip in 2nd and subsequent pregnancies due to risk of hyperstimulation of the uterus. So maybe it will be a bit easier this time! But good news you went into labour naturally so there is still hope for me yet!

OP posts:

CointreauVersial · 16/01/2013 13:19

Good luck!

Original poster

inadreamworld · 16/01/2013 14:20

Won't get induction until Monday at the earliest (40 +12) so a few more days left!!

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poshfrock · 16/01/2013 14:54

Worked for me. Sweep at 7pm. First contraction at 12.30am. DD born 3am.

Original poster

inadreamworld · 18/01/2013 20:56

Had mild period type pains all day. Got excited when they began as thought labour might start. They have got a lot less now and almost wish I hadn't bothered with the sweep - seems to just have caused a bit of discomfort but not done anything. Roll on induction next week!!

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Sossiges · 18/01/2013 21:51

Had sweep in the afternoon and baby by the morning (did lots of other stuff too). Was reluctant to have it as didn't want any interference but was painless and seemed to work.

ClairesTravellingCircus · 19/01/2013 02:55

Inadream

It may be a sign tha things are getting started though. I had on and off pains for aweek before I went into labour. That's probably why sweep worked so well.

Fingers crossed for you!

BouncyPenguin · 19/01/2013 03:39

Had sweep at 41 weeks for 2nd pregnancy. Labour started within 48 hrs.

Original poster

inadreamworld · 20/01/2013 20:32

DD2 born early yesterday morning after a 4 hour labour, only just got to hospital in time! I eat my words of the previous post - the sweep definitely worked!!!!

OP posts:

Wuxiapian · 20/01/2013 20:35

Not contributed to thread, but followed as I'm questioning whether to have sweep with overdue DC2 myself.. But, anyway, Congratulations!!

ClairesTravellingCircus · 20/01/2013 20:57

Congratulations Inadream, glad it all went as you hoped for! Enjoy those newborn cuddles

CointreauVersial · 20/01/2013 21:04

Oh well done! So much easier if it starts naturally rather than chemical induction. Congratulations!

Original poster

inadreamworld · 21/01/2013 21:26

Thanks everyone - I would try the sweep Wuxia perhaps leave it until 41 weeks plus so it has the best chance of working.....and my midwife had longish nails (and a lovely french manicure) even though they are supposed to cut them short I always wonder if this had something to do with it.....

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HandMini · 21/01/2013 21:37

Worked for me, first contraction about an hour after sweep at 41 weeks. The sweep did hurt in my case and caused a bit of bleeding.

It did however start a long slow early labour which was knackering. Don't know if that would have been the case anyway (first baby) but I did afterwards think it might have been swifter if I had allowed things to begin at their own oace rather than forced things to get things started with the sweep.

Wuxiapian · 22/01/2013 09:16

Inadreamworld, I have my MW appointment at 1230 today, at 41.2w and I'm thinking to have the sweep.

Her nails are long and it is my concern that she'll bust my waters...

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