40 week sweep - unsuccessful

[user1479905737]

Hi all,

Feeling very disheartened. Midwife tried to perform a sweep but she said I am not dilated and cervix still posterior (2cm). Baby is still only 4/5 engaged.

Really don't want to be induced as would like to feel like my body did it myself sad

Has anyone else been in similar position and still gone into labour naturally or is it likely I'll be induced?

Have been trying to walk and bounce on the ball a lot. X

I had the same. Sweep at 40+8 did the trick it was either my second or third, can't remember. They were very keen for me to have multiple sweeps as I had refused all pharmaceutical induction. Good luck!

Yep I was. Try not to be disheartened. A really long walk did the trick for me as well as eating the core of a pineapple, drinking raspberry leaf tea and hand expressing the colostrum. I did all that in one day, started contractions by 7pm and DD was born the following day. Good luck

Third sweep worked for me, didn't get so much as a twinge with the first two

Thank you so much for positive stories. We went straight for a long (well long for being overdue!) walk. Was going to try sex again tonight but am a little sore from the midwife so will save that one for tmw! Will try pineapple and Long walk tmw.

Have my second sweep on Monday so hoping more success then. Did anyone see much of a difference in between 1-2-3 sweeps were things look more positive in a few days? X

Do you know, I was gutted to not go into labour naturally with my first. I didn't have the whole water bursting thing. But also I did not realise how dangerous it can be to go too long over. At one point during my first induced labour , there was a minor panic about my ds. And at that point I would have done anything to just get him out safely. Which they did. So, I sympathise. But don't lose sight of the fact that induction is necessary and saves lives.
With the second I got really annoyed about something, and it kicked it off for me - maybe try that ?!

I had a sweep at 41+3. Midwife was unable to perform it fully as my cervix was closed. I remember going home and being really upset, sure that I would have to be induced.

I went into labour naturally the next day. Things can change very quickly so don't get too despondent.

This happened to me at 40+3. I was told my cervix is very high up at the back and hasn't come forward very much so the sweep was very hard to do, I was told it probably wouldn't work and it didn't. 40+8 had second sweep and was told the same thing, I was due to be induced 2 days later but went into labour hours after the sweep.

I tried everything to not go over, you name it I tried it but baby comes when they want to and being induced isny that bad I am told by lots of people. Good luck

I have had two babies born at 41 weeks and 5 days, just before induction! For the second one I had a really successful sweep, but the first one - I gave up on sweeps and he came when he was ready.

How did you get on OP?
I had my 40 week appointment Monday and they were unable to perform a sweep as baby was only 4/5ths engaged.

I'm booked for induction Monday but praying it doesn't come to that