to sweep or not to sweep! quick straw pole

[kienstra33]

Had latent labour for 2 weeks, second baby due tomorrow - think I'm on the cusp, some days feel like I can carry on and others really struggle-would you have a sweep or try to be patient?!

I had one on the Monday and contractions began an hour later BUT dd2 wasn't born until the Wednesday (after I'd gone for reflexology) so who knows if I would have saved myself a whole day's labour if I hadn't bothered. The two previous sweeps I had had no effect in spite of all being favourable. The three I had with dd1 had no effect.

In short, I don't think they do anything but maybe make you feel like you have iyswim.

Look at it this way- the baby will definitely be born regardless of what you do or when you do it. It will happen.

Good luck. I hope you have a fabulous, wonderful, excellent time and everything goes smoothly.

I'd go for it. It wasn't very painful, just uncomfortable (and slightly embarrassing ) and so I'd generally say, what the hell.

Thanks both, had 3 with first DD - one seemed to do a lot and the others nothing! Just kind of done with this latent labour! Xx

I had two done by my midwife at 39+4 and 39+6 did diddly squat....

Then I had one done by a midwife at the hospital as baby's heart rate was being monitored (he mucking them about lol) at 40+3- she asked if I wanted to have him tonight I said yes and I'll be dammed if he wasn't born the next morning!! She was good at her job lol.

I think if the person doing it is good at it they are fab. I do think my community midwife was a bit half hearted

Haha! I have heard it's all about technique I think it's also about how close you are ... I'll let you all know how it goes!!

Def about the technique. Good luck with it all but I'd be declined to not sweep as things obviously aren't far off.