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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Stretch and sweep

19 replies

BloomingR0sey · 11/10/2016 15:19

Hi all,
I'm now 40+2 and tomorrow I have a midwives appointment where if the baby is engaged she's recommended a stretch and sweep, I've heard mixed reviews but would love to hear your experiences, did it work, how long after and was it painful etc..
Thanks

OP posts:

Elles01 · 11/10/2016 15:32

Hi
I initially was told by the midwife that I couldn't have one as DS head hadn't engaged at all. But not long after that, I had one in hospital at 41 weeks. It didn't work for me as I was eventually induced at 41+5.
Personally I thought it hurt. But to be fair I think it was the shock of what was happening lol. I also had some cramping and spotting afterwards for a few hours but they told me that was normal.
If I were to be offered one again in another pregnancy I wouldn't probably say no as I didn't think it was worth it.
Good luck and I hope all goes well

ThinkPinkStink · 11/10/2016 15:36

Hi there!

I am 40+4 and had a stretch and sweep this morning.

It was a bit uncomfortable, but not nearly as painful as I'd imagined. I tried really hard to relax (we've been to hypnobirthing sessions so I used the '3,2,1 relax' method). My mw was really good at informing me what she was about to do and why which I found helped me manage the discomfort.

It felt very much like a smear test, but went on longer (in good news it was less scratchy as they use a gloved-hand rather than a speculum).

There were three moments when it made me squirm a bit, and at one point I asked her to hold on for a second while I relaxed again, so don't be afraid to ask them to stop for a moment.

Since the s&s I've had a fair bit of bloody-mucusy-spotting so be ready with a panty liner/pad. And I generally feel a bit raw and sore...

I can't attest to whether it's worked yet, but it's nice to feel like I'm doing something other than waiting.

They give you a 'Bishops' score afterwards to rate the readiness of your cervix, my score was six, which I think is about the middle ground between not-ready and ready.

Good luck!!

GipsyDanger · 11/10/2016 15:37

I had a sweep at 40 weeks that done nothing. Had another at 41+2 and my waters broke that night. It was very uncomfortable a bit sore? I ended up with a emcs, don't think my ds was ready to come out

Original poster

BloomingR0sey · 11/10/2016 16:34

Thanks for the replies :) at my last appointment 2 weeks ago she wasn't engaged, but I'm in 2 minds whether to do it if she is tomorrow, On one hand I would like to try and have everything as 'natural' as possible so this might get things going BUT I've read alot of people had no luck with the S&S at all or until they were pretty much 42 weeks..
Hopefully she'll be engaged so at least I have the choice

OP posts:

ThinkOfAWittyNameLater · 11/10/2016 16:44

I had a s&s with my first by a registrar. I yelped and leapt up the hospital bed. It hurt & it didn't work.

But now 37w with dc2 & I'd probably agree to another. I take the view that if I'm nearly ready it may get things going, but if I'm not ready then it won't actually do any harm, iyswim?

GipsyDanger · 11/10/2016 16:45

Please don't get your heart set on any specific thing. My birth was the polar opposite of what I wanted and I really struggled coming to terms with it.

Losgunna · 11/10/2016 16:48

I had a sweep with DS and it didn't hurt a bit but did feel strange and comfortable (but not painful). Didn't work though but I was only 39 and something but with high BP so they were keen to get him out asap

tinymeteor · 11/10/2016 16:51

I found it very uncomfortable and invasive. Don't wish to alarm you, it wasn't a huge deal and as this thread shows not everyone finds it uncomfortable, it varies. Personally I couldn't tolerate it. Just remember it's an optional procedure and you can ask them to stop if you want.

Original poster

BloomingR0sey · 11/10/2016 16:52

I haven't got my heart set on anything :) I know the baby will come when she's ready and i really don't mind what kind of birth I have as long as the baby is safe and sound.

OP posts:

JohnLapsleyParlabane · 11/10/2016 16:52

I had one at 40+1 which didn't work but for some reason gave me a fit of the giggles. My next one at 41+2 worked within 24 hours but was less amusing!
My birth plan was to decline all pharmaceutical induction and request either regular monitoring or a section: so perhaps the second midwife was slightly more enthusiastic.

melibu84 · 11/10/2016 16:52

I had two sweeps. Neither worked.

We also tried exercising, curry and sex. Nothing worked.

The only thing which worked was induction, but then I was in labour for 24 hours. I also didn't get to go to the birth centre I wanted cos I was hyper-stimulated, which means I had 8 contractions in 10 minutes. The pulled the propase out but I was still having contractions really close together until he was born :(

It's kind of put me off having another kid for a really long time lol :/

Boogers · 11/10/2016 16:57

Had a sweep at 40+11 with DD. Wasn't painful, more embarrassing as there was a trainee doctor there who looked like he wanted to be anywhere other than in a room with a pregnant woman, her husband and a bossy German midwife! The midwife was lovely actually, very up my street. She even showed me the mucus plug in her hand.

Didn't work however. I was sent home to come back the next day to be induced. Went home and had a curry. Still didn't work. Induced the next day and DD born 9 hours after I was started on the drip. Induction isn't all that bad.

AddictedtoGreys · 11/10/2016 17:16

I had a sweep at 40+5 and my DD was born the next day. The sweep was sort of uncomfortable but not painful.

Dixiechick17 · 11/10/2016 22:59

Baby was 3/5 engaged from 32 weeks, had a sweep at 37 weeks, was 1cm dilated and cervix was soft, midwife was convinced I'd have the baby by the weekend. My second sweep was at 40 weeks, cervix was 3cm dilated, midwife was able to stretch to 4cm, was posterior, had a proper show straight away, DD arrived at 40+5

Dixiechick17 · 11/10/2016 23:00

Also, I found that chatting to the midwife helped me to relax and made it uncomfortable rather than painful

smallplainblonde · 11/10/2016 23:09

I had a sweep at 40+3, my consultant said they didn't always work but my cervix was favourable. I'll be honest it was not pleasant at all but I started losing my plug that night and had my baby the next evening so it was worth it for me and I would definitely do it again!

Strokethefurrywall · 12/10/2016 16:40

I had a sweep at just over 37 weeks, I was already 3-4cm I think (although only having BH) - saw my OBGYN at 9am, he gave me a sweep (I almost kicked him in the face when he did it!). Had one massive contraction and waters broke at 11am, DS1 arrived 4 hours later.
So in my case it definitely worked because my cervix was very favorable and DS1 was ready to come.

With DS2 had sweep at 37+6 at 2-3cms but he wasn't engaged at all so I don't think it was as favorable as with DS1. Went into labor 2 days later.

Neither sweep was a pleasant experience really, for me it was the most painful part! My labors were far nicer!

Hope your baby arrives soon OP!

Original poster

BloomingR0sey · 12/10/2016 18:05

So had the midwife, baby was engaged but cervix wasn't open couldn't actually have the sweep, but it wasn't painful and wasn't as uncomfortable as I thought. Midwife is coming out Sunday hoping my cervix is open so she can do a sweep.

Thanks for all your replies!!

OP posts:

ThinkPinkStink · 13/10/2016 19:55

Update: post s&s on Tuesday, mucus plug is no more (Thursday 5pm).

No empirical proof that the two are related, no reason to think that loss of mp means immediate labour - but any activity is welcome at this point (and I'm pretty darn crampy, so fingers crossed and hoping for action!).

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