Sweeps - I've had one today, what else shall I do ?

[FoghornLeghorn]

Today is my due date and have been to midwife for a sweep. She said I was 1 cm dilated but cervix was still quite long.

Now I know cervix has to dilate and thin for baby to come so it is highly unlikely my sweep will actually do anything to kick start the labour if my cervix is still long ?

Don't suppose there is anything you can do to thin it out is there

Sex?

I went for a long walk after my sweep which seemed to do the trick.

When I had my sweep the midwife told me to go home and have lots of sex

Well I walked home from midwife which was about 40 minute walk, a fair bit of it uphill too.

Will see if I can rope DH into some hanky panky tonight - although he feels used

How was the sweep FL? I felt awful after mine

Bathing in clary sage essential oil, and drinking raspberry leaf tea worked for me. Everyoone's different but might be worth a try. Hope it won't be too long now.

Lots of sex in as many varied positions as you can manage ok so that's not many at this stage, but it should help and if not it'll take your mind off things for a mo or two

Oh god I was hoping sex wasn't going to be the most common answer, I feel bloody knackered .
Sweep was OK, pretty uncomfortable but not painful not had any twinges or show or anything yet and I want to stamp my feet and shout like my 2 year old

maybe some diy orgasms?
and get your dh to fiddle with your reflex points (midpoint between heel and ankle bone on inner side of foot for uterus; base of big toe for pituitary)
or my tried and tested failproof method of denying anything is going to happen for weeks and arranging to get some significant building work done.

what mary has said .....and sex...esp. with orgasm..the semen helps the cervix ripen and the orgasm encourages contractions and the release of certain hormones

nipple stim, bouncing on the old gym ball and being PATIENT!!!

yeah right!

if you were going to go into labour, the sweep would set it off within 24 - 48 hours.....xx

I would simply relax and let baby come when it's ready

nice hot curry and sex

just what you really really dont fancy when you are very pregnant!!!

good luck

clary sage and lavender oil in the bath
lots of sex
long walks
raspberry leaf tea

mine arrived a week overdue so not sure if any of this works, but labour was v v short!

Hi FogHorn

Did you ask the midwife to do the sweep or did she offer?

My due date is tomorrow and am seeing my midwife. I might ask her to do a sweep but was unsure as to how early they would do them.

Hope your little one gets its little skates on today.

Sex, I'm afraid.
Had sweep with dd on due date, but was already having contractions and she arrived shortly afterwards.
Tried to have a sweep 3 days over due date with ds, but cervix very unfavourable.
BUt - started to get what I now realise was a show. Also had sex with dh and about 2 days later went into full-blown labour. DS born 3 hours later.

Why did you have a sweep so close to EDD? It is unlikely to do much really. Better to be done at 41 weeks or over, if at all.

SEX, SEX, SEX!
Clary sage oil bath.
Lavender oil bath.
Internal primrose oil capsules.
Speed bumps.
I had my ds4 after all that, all in the space of 2 days.
Plus lovely chat with Lynette the mdwife at King Georges hosp in Essex.
HTH,xx

All of mine were three weeks late and nothing made them come sooner

mears - my last ante natal appointment with midwife was on my due date, as I am now over I wont be seeing her again which was why I asked for the sweep. my next appointment is with registrar on Tuesday when I will be 41 weeks and I wanted to try anything possible rather than just sitting and waiting for the appointment to come around.

Have had definite show since the sweep, bounced on birthing ball for a few hours last night and developed an achey back, managed sex and also had a curry for my dinner so tried most things.
Think I am having a few contractions this morning, not painful, mainly aches but accompanied with tightening and loosening of tummy so fingers crossed.

Nipple massage

Apparently...

I see why you wanted midwife to do it Leghorn. Registrar will offer the same. It is much better IMO opinion for midwives to see women until at least 41 weeks then refer to medics. The 40 week sweep is likely to do little more than cause irritation than set you off into labour. Fingers crossed for you though .

I had a sweep at 39 weeks for number 2 in hospital, (had to be in hospital for birth, rather than quick un-planned arrival at home as per DS1). Consultant said cervix was favourable and 1-2cms dilated. Labour started within an hour and dd1 born about 10 hours later, so it is worth trying!!

I was once told that sweeps were likely to be more effective if done by a man becasue they have longer fingers

Helennn - difference is your cervix was favourable by being soft and 2cm dilated. You would have laboured soon anyway.