Preparing for a sweep..

[ruth1104]

My midwife has offered me a sweep on my due date, which is wednesday. I'd like to try to see if it works (would pretty much try anything at this point!!) but in the past I've had vaginismus and I'm a bit worried it's going to be very painful. Any tips on getting through it? Aside from popping a couple of paracetamol before hand, which I will. tia

I don't know what Vaginismus is, sorry, but I would say you need to try to relax as much as possible while it's happening (maybe try thinking of yourself in a favourite place where you are really relaxed). This will ensure you don't feel it as much and the midwife will find it easier to perform. If you are tense, you will feel it more.

I've had 2 sweeps now and used hypnobirthing breathing techniques through it and there was no pain, it was just a little uncomfortable. My mw said both times that they were the easiest sweeps she's done.

I found sweep with my first born not too painful- just uncomfy. Practise deep breathing and focusing on something else- like a song which relaxes u or a counting game- I try and name all the people carrie Bradshaw slept with. Sweep for 2nd born was awful as it reminded me of all the pain on childbirth! Good luck.

I hope you get some specific advice from someone with experience of what you've been through, you're brave to do it. I'd tell myself over and over that midwives see people's bits day in day out and are experts at knowing what to do - I've got a difficult to find cervix and not a single midwife I've seen throughout this pg and birth has caused any undue pain when doing exams. A sweep didn't really feel any different to the cervix dilation check they do in labour to me. So psyche yourself up mentally if you can with some positive statements - good luck!

If I was in your position, I would refuse a sweep. There is no evidence that they work. If you have had issues before, you may find the procedure painful and violating.

I wouldn't have a sweep at 40 weeks. ..but when I did agree at nearly 42 with patchy contraction I had it at the Mlu with gas and air.

Oh, is there a reason for doing it so early, being particularly anxious to set thingx off etc? Is it your first?

Nope, it's just standard in my area. I feel very comfortable with my mw and she made it clear it's completely my choice, but the information that I was given said that it is evidence based and it does help to prevent induction which seems worth a try to me! If it's too much I'll tell her to stop. Thanks for all the well wishes and advice about breathing, I have been doing some hynobirthing and that's a very reassuring story MB34

I had a sweep at 40+2 and gave birth 6 hours later :-) (was already 3cm dialated as has been having mild contractions since about 3am though). I would absolutely have another in the same position. It wasn't painful at all, just a little uncomfortable.
Good luck! Xx

If you feel comfortable, obviously go for it! I hope it works for you.

Don't be too disappointed if it doesn't though. Many areas don't offer sweeps until at least 41 weeks. The reason is that a sweep just seems to 'nudge' your body into labour if it is about to go into labour anyway. Thus it may well have a good result at avoiding induction for a woman who is already 13 days overdue and doesn't want to be induced (because she was probably close to labouring naturally). If it's done on a woman who is 40 weeks and wouldn't have otherwise gone into labour until 41+5 (for example), it will probably do nothing.

I believe that there is also some emerging evidence that it may cause long latent stages, which you might want to ask about.

Can I just say that a sweep is the beginning of the induction process as it is the start of interventions.

Good luck with your birth.

ruth I have vaginismus too and think on balance I am going to decline sweeps and induction. However my midwife did suggest I could use gas and air for internal exams during labour so maybe that's an option for you for sweep?

I had my sweep in the mlu attached to my hospital. I was offered g and a if I wanted it. I didn't.

I'm having one today but tbh i'm worried i'll miss strictly if it works. Might skip it and wait til monday!

Only semi serious.

I have a fear of internal examinations after a particularly unpleasant one about 7 years ago. I agreed to a sweep at 40 weeks, and it was awful. I was so tense. It didn't work, and was recorded on my notes as a failed sweep as my cervix was too far back. I went into labour at 40 + 6. I've done some research since and have decided that for any future pregnancies I will refuse a sweep. The baby will come when he/she is ready.

Yeah they're pretty unpleasant. I didn't think they did anything for me last time but then i did narrowly avoid being induced so i don't know what to do now. If i don't have them then i might not not be able to have a home birth.

I had one on Thursday, first ever although have had 4 babies! It was absolutely fine, felt like a smear test until Dr actually got into womb area, when it was weird but not overly hurty. Was over in 3 mins. Didn't work though....!!!! But it does for some people, so if you are feeling pretty ok about the idea go for it. I think most people go into labour in 41st week, which makes you wonder why they don't slightly adjust policies to reflect this - I believe in France that 'term' is considered 41 weeks. But we are generally only offered sweeps, we don't have to have them if we don't want to.

Good luck with birth OP!

thanks for all the replies! it wasnt as bad as i thought it might be, which actually reassures me for during the birth. In my birth plan i wrote that ive had vaginismus, so i want to be asked before each exam, have the bare minimum and have g&a if possible. But i think anybody might want those things?!
however, my cervix is firmly closed so she couldnt do it :( the baby even feels like its retreating upwards so im glad to hear about the 41st week! thanks again