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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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Original poster

AFergie · 18/12/2013 10:03

How was your cervix selfdestructivelady? Did they say it was favourable? Also how many weeks were you ? Thanks !!!

OP posts:

selfdestructivelady · 18/12/2013 10:08

My cervix was favourable and I was 41 weeks both times.

ipswichwitch · 18/12/2013 10:50

I had one last Thursday afternoon and my waters broke at midnight that night. No idea if that had anything to do with it but quite glad I didn't need induction. It was actually alright I just had some mild discomfort - I was expecting worse tbh from what others had said, for me it was like a smear test which fortunately aren't painful for me. Hope yours all go well.

Felix90 · 18/12/2013 11:35

Been and had my sweep this morning (I am 37 weeks today) and she said my cervix was soft and I am 1cm dilated. It was VERY uncomfortable but wasn't as bad as expected and was over quickly!

ThedementedPenguin · 18/12/2013 11:49

I had 3 sweeps with ds. 3 different midwives said my cervix was ripe, could feel babies head and my waters were bulging. Each midwife told me I'd go into labour by that evening, and if my water broke to go straight to hospital as labour would be quick.

I was induced after this. So no I don't believe sweeps work.

Original poster

AFergie · 18/12/2013 12:13

So many different stories!

Felix thanks for updating ! Hope things start moving for you...

Cant wait for tomorrow and find out if Im favourable ! I will let you know !!

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Chacha23 · 18/12/2013 13:25

My sense is that sweeps work only if you're almost ready to pop anyway.

If your body is gearing up for labour soon, it'll probably accelerate the process by 12-24 hours, but if not... it won't do a thing. (just my opinion, based on my own 2 sweeps and a lot of MN reading!)

Original poster

AFergie · 18/12/2013 16:10

Finbarfinbo and supersesame how did you get on with your sweeps ???

Hope you are okxx

OP posts:

rachyconks · 18/12/2013 16:19

I agree with those who have said it works if you are ready to go. My waters broke and I had 4 (yes, 4!) sweeps in hospital (to avoid induction). The first three did not very much, apart from cause the plug to come away. The final one, they got a "special" midwife in. She was apparently the best "sweeper" in the hospital. She was nearly elbow deep and I could feel EVERYTHING. But it worked!

Supersesame · 18/12/2013 16:26

Not a twinge for me today, maybe a teeny tiny bit of brown spotting last night but nothing today. Will updateif anything to report!

JamInMyWellies · 18/12/2013 16:36

I had one last Thursday, all that happened was I got a bit of brown sludge (sorry TMI) the next day. I am now 40+3 and am having another one on Friday I do not want to be induced or go into labour on Christmas Eve/Day.

My sister is a midwife and she said it gives the midwives an idea on how soft your cervix is so they can guestimate how close you may be to labour. But unless your cervix is softening and shortening it wont do bog all.

selfdestructivelady · 18/12/2013 17:01

I also want to add I just found mine mildly uncomfortable.

BNmum · 18/12/2013 17:53

Sounds promising felix, fingers crossed!

Original poster

AFergie · 19/12/2013 11:48

Anyone who had a sweep had a baby???

Mine is in 3 hours !!

Come on babies !!!!! xxxxxxx

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PinkParsnips · 19/12/2013 11:52

Didn't work for me, I had two and even though the midwife found I was already fully effaced and 1-2cm dilated they didn't work and I still had to be induced.

Supersesame · 19/12/2013 11:53

Nothing more to report. It's now 48 hhoping Ince my sweep. They said if a sweep works, then it will take effect within 48 hours so I guess it hasn't.
Just had long walk. Now cleaning my bathroom.
This is my second overdue pregnancy, not impressed!

Supersesame · 19/12/2013 11:54

48 hours since my sweep, not sure how that got messed up!

Original poster

AFergie · 19/12/2013 11:59

Oh Im sorry that sucks !! Maybe try sex? It gave me so many contractions the other night, might be the nudge labour needs? It is a pain at this stage though !!

Ill let you guys know how it goes... :)

OP posts:

Finbarfinbo · 19/12/2013 12:43

MW could not do one yesterday, my cervix was too high. Hope everyone else has more luck!

Chacha23 · 19/12/2013 13:32

AFergie, sex definitely did it for me! Had sex around 6pm and right afterwards my waters started leaking, with contractions following within 3 hours. I was 40+5, so probably ready to go anyway...

DirtyDancing · 23/12/2013 00:03

60 hours since my sweep on Friday morning and nothing. Not even a single cramp or BH. Have another one tomorrow PM

emmac3616 · 24/12/2013 07:49

I had one on Friday at 40+4 at about 1.30pm and contractions had started by 8pm and DS arrived at 9.30pm on Saturday. She did say cervix was favourable when she did it but I DEFINITELY think it started something - don't think it was going to happen otherwise, at least not soon! So it CAN work!

TransatlanticCityGirl · 26/12/2013 17:42

They work if you are ready to go into labour anyway.

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