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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Do sweeps really work??

48 replies

AFergie · 17/12/2013 20:49

I had one for DS1 at 39 weeks and nothing happened for another 9 days.

Am I right in thinking that if your cervix is not favourable it just wont work?

Im booked for another one with this baby on Thursday and just wondering if its really worth it?

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Strix · 17/12/2013 20:52

You are right. They only work if your cervix is virtually ready. I had one. It was bloody painful. Didn't work. Cervix not ready. Wouldn't do it again.

DirtyDancing · 17/12/2013 22:05

My midwife couldn't even do mine on Monday, my cervix was too high apparently ;( I am due to have another go on Friday. I think if your body is not ready it just won't/ can't work

PinkApple86 · 17/12/2013 22:06

I had 3 and still had to be induced

ilovepowerhoop · 17/12/2013 22:08

I had 2 with dd and neither worked

SugarCaneShortCake · 17/12/2013 22:10

No! MWs do them to give the impression that they are doing something to help you. If it works they take all the credit, and if it fails they will say your cervix is unfavourable!

midwifeandmum · 17/12/2013 22:11

yes sweeps can work but your cervix has to be ' ripe' first. I had dd1 the day after my sweep.

happyyonisleepyyoni · 17/12/2013 22:16

I went into labour with Ds 2 about 14 hours after a sweep, and with DD about 2 hours later.

RandomMess · 17/12/2013 22:18

I had loads with all of mine and reflexology none of it helped but I just think mine were meant to be 43 weekers! Only works if you're pretty much ready to go/ripe.

SugarCaneShortCake · 17/12/2013 22:20

My point is that you will never know if you were going to begin labour anyway - you can't say that the sweep worked just because you went into labour soon after. You can have a "ripe" cervix, have a sweep and still not go into labour. I think that it's an unnecessary intervention that can be painful to some women and there is no evidence that it works. To me, it's the start of a cascade of intervention. "Failed" sweep, induction, drip, painful contractions, epidural, episiotomy, forceps or emergency c-section.

BNmum · 17/12/2013 22:24

I went in for a sweep to be told I was in ideal conditions for one. Apparently I was already 1-2cm dilated my contractions started 1-2hrs after having one. It was my first baby and overdue so was ready to get the ball rolling. However, in hindsight I should have said "oh, if I'm 1-2cm dilated, I'll leave it and let nature run its course thank you very much". The sweep itself was fine and not painful just uncomfortable but some things in my labour felt out of sync and I often wonder if this was due to the sweep.

Original poster

AFergie · 17/12/2013 22:34

OK...I dont know if I should have it now!

I had my show straight after my sweep the first time but thats it.

Im so swollen and uncomfortable I just want to try anything. Im also due on christmas day and Im worried i might have to leave my son during christmas which would be so upsetting for him..

I think if the MW says my cervix is high, closed whatever Ill just tell her to leave it..

Thanks everyone !! xxxx

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cantheyseeme · 17/12/2013 22:38

I like the idea of them just because the mw can tell you more about whats going on in there but ive had 3 and did they balls work and i found them bloody uncomfortable!

Bellebelle · 17/12/2013 22:41

I think that sweeps are rarely successful for 1st pregnancies but more effective with subsequent ones.

I had one with DD1 which did nothing and was very painful. With DD2 had one, no where near as painful, midwife said she bet I'd go into labour that day and right enough DD2 was born about 12 hours later

scarlettsmummy2 · 17/12/2013 22:44

I went into labour within 48 hours, both times after a sweep on my due date. But like mentioned- no way of knowing if I would have gone into labour anyway! Not particularly pleasant but not too horrific.

cantpooinpeace · 17/12/2013 22:45

Had a sweep with both of mine on my due date & both started me off with period pains leading to contractions. Both my kids were born the day after their due date so they did work for me. My midwife reckoned she was great at them due to her long fingers!

NaturalBaby · 17/12/2013 22:45

I only had one because my waters had broken. My MW had done her dissertation on sweeps so i had a good chat about them as I really didn't want one and she agreed there was no point unless your body was ready to go into labour.

Finbarfinbo · 17/12/2013 22:49

I have one tomorrow. I really hope I can come back and say it worked.

Original poster

AFergie · 17/12/2013 22:53

Finbarfinbo do let us know how you get on!

I will update on Thursday then, let you know if it might have done something. Although if my cervix is not favourable I will just not go for it!

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Supersesame · 17/12/2013 23:11

I had one today!
Or two, in fact. She ddid sweep once then said is that OK? I said it felt ok and she did a second circle! Second time hurt!
She said second one was more vigorous. That was around 11 this morning. Nothing happening as yet. She said my cervix was slightly dilated and thinning. I'm due tomorrow. Hoping to go into labour tonight or tomorrow.

Original poster

AFergie · 17/12/2013 23:43

Supersesame please keep us updated !!

The one I had with my son was SO painful. I nearly threw up from the pan, although once its done its done.

Ah lets see how we all get on, Im curious now !

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LoFo2013 · 17/12/2013 23:44

I'm getting one tomorrow too fingers crossed it works I really don't want to g o into labour on Xmas day!

Felix90 · 17/12/2013 23:52

I have one tomorrow! I'll only be 37 weeks tomorrow but have obstetric cholestasis so due to be induced early next week. I've never heard of anyone having one this early before but midwife said it might set me off, and I'd do anything to avoid being induced. I'm dreading it though

BNmum · 18/12/2013 07:43

Good luck to everyone booked in for one soon. Despite what i said earlier, I'd rather have a sweep than an induction.

callamia · 18/12/2013 07:48

I had two at 41 weeks (two days apart). Neither hurt, and my waters broke hours after the second.
They both made me feel better that I was doing something proactive before a 42-week induction. I gave birth on the morning of my planned induction. I've no idea whether it was the sweeps or all the walking I did, or just that it was time - but I'd definitely do it again.

selfdestructivelady · 18/12/2013 09:13

Mine worked twice on dc2 and dc3.

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