Do sweeps work? And if so, how quickly?

[MardyBum]

I'm a week overdue and having a sweep on Thursday morning if baby hasn't made an appearance. Do they hurt? Do they work? And do they work quickly when they do? Any advice would be gratefully received!

Hi Spina and Olihan! I was really expecting to have had this baby before Christmas!

Maybe I should get the pump out... at the same time as not wanting to be induced though, I also don't want to risk missing my dd's Christmas! It's the first time she's been old enough to be excited about the idea of pressies.