Membrane Sweep and being induced

[LAR1]

Help!
I have severe SPD and gestational diabetes so I am being induced at 38 weeks on Saturday. I had a sweep yesterday which was horrendous the pain was unbelievable and it was unsuccessful (I had sweeps with my son as a week overdue which I remember were painful but not as bad as yesterday).
I have to have another sweep tomorrow which I am dreading and I am terrified of being induced as have heard horrible stories and I just wanted some reassurance. Thanks

All I would say is you don't have to have anything done you don't want. They don't need to do another sweep if you're being induced, surely?

I had a REALLY rough sweep which caused my waters to go but nothing else happened so I ended up being induced 24hrs later with syntocinon.

It was fine. Well controlled, excellent care. Baby's heart rate went a bit funny at one point so they slowed down on the drip for a while which gave me and baby a break. I wouldn't be worried in the slightest if I was to he induced again so please try not to worry.

I had GD, had 2 sweeps then induced. It was fine. The 2nd sweep was slightly better, and i think progressed my cervix so it was more susceptible to the induction pessary. It took 2 pessaries but then my waters went and baby was out within 6 hours. I think sweeps are more painful if the cervix is still high and closed? At the next sweep, maybe ask your mw the condition of your cervix and whether there has been any progress since the last sweep? Regarding induction, it can be a slow process so pack plenty to keep you entertained and also lots of gd friendly snacks as hospital food is not great, especially when your choices are limited by gd. Good luck!

Thank you so much for your messages it has really helped!

I think the pain associated with sweeps is more likely down to the person performing them. Both my pregnancies were overdue and induced and i had a few sweeps with each. Most sweeps i had were absolutely fine but one particular midwife gave me an extremely painful sweep in my first pregnancy. I was booked in for a sweep in my second pregnancy and my heart sank when I saw that same midwife call me from the waiting room. Once again, it was very painful so she clearly hadn't improved her technique during the intervening three years!

As a PP says don't feel that you have to have a sweep if you're not comfortable with the idea.

Also, for what it's worth, my inductions were both straightforward, very swift and i managed fine with just gas and air during both (and I was terrified beforehand).

Good luck!!

I had a sweep just before pessary being put in, nothing really happened that night MW checked me pessary had slipped she gave me a very uncomfortable sweep and put pessary back in place, nothing much happen until morning when I was checked by dr she said cervix was good took pessary out as didn’t need another. Took me over to labour ward to break my waters 57 mins later DD arrived in the pool. (I’d got consultant to agree to pool prior if induction was going well).

Say no to the sweep of you want but I do think the second one helped me a long a bit x x

You don't have to have the sweep. It is optional
At 38 weeks it is unlikely to work anyway

I had one with DC1 (overdue) and it was pretty much like being assaulted

I declined with DC4 (induction due to GD)
Just had the pessary. Not much happened but during the rest before the second pessary labour started. So no drip etc

Good luck!

Sorry to hijack this thread. For some reason, the app just won't let me start a new one - it just says that I have a bad connection.

I'm 38+6 today. Last night I was admitted with a fourth episode of reduced foetal movements. I've been struggling terribly with SPD, and since I'm under Foetal Medicine due to an issue with baby's bowel, the doctor suggested that it'd be wise to get baby out sooner rather than later. At 9pm yesterday, I was given a membrane sweep, and the doctor who performed it said I was 1-2cm dilated. From about 11pm until 4am I had intermittent mild contractions but I've had nothing since. I've been booked in for an induction on Sunday morning, which was the first available slot.

Has anyone had a similar experience? How long is induction likely to take when I'm already 1-2cm? What are the chances of the sweep being effective before then? I had a sweep with my daughter (fifteen years ago) and my waters broke 24 hours later.

Any shared stories appreciated!