Sweep, yes or no?

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Midwife has offered to do a sweep at next appointment (I will be 39+4) what are people's thoughts? Has anyone had success from a sweep or has nothing happened? Part of me wants to wait and see if nature takes its cause first but then I don't want to over wait if something could jig things along sooner.

Thanks ladies

I had a sweep and if your cervix is favourable I would always do it!

I had a few nights of stop start labour before my sweep. I was so tired, 1cm dialated and fully effaced. The midwife said I would have the baby that day or the next. Did the sweep and contractions started within a few hours. DD arrived at 5am next morning, on her due date.

So I feel it worked for me. It might have happened anyway but after stop start for 3 nights I felt there was no harm. Don't remember it being sore either.

I was having contractions on and off from 38 weeks and had a sweep at 39+6 and went into labour the next day. I was already 50% effaced and 2cm dilated though. I swear by them!

Sounds like it worked well then!

I will probably go for it, if nothing happens then nothing happens. Must be a drop in the ocean compared to labour haha!

Had one with my first. Did nothing and I found it really unpleasant. Personally I'd decline but depends how desperate you are to get things moving.

I would wait. I had one at 40 plus 4 and I don’t know if really connected but my waters broke (my god did they break....) but I ended up having an ecs due to failure to progress after that.

Had one at 41+4 with ds1, who was born at 42+1 after induction. Didn't have them with the next two, both spontaneous labours at 41+3 and 40+4.

Yes! My first sweep did nothing, my second got things moving.

I had my daughter in my arms within 12 hours of my sweep (no cramps or any hint of labour before it) so I'd say go for it! I was 39 + 5 and it was my 2nd baby...the midwife did say it was more likely to work given it was my 2nd. Good luck!

I've recently had 3 sweeps and although everything looked 'favourable' nothing has happened. Still pregnant. Good luck

I had about 3 sweeps with each of mine. Who knows if things would have started anyway but I was going to be induced at 41 weeks and was desperate to avoid that! I went into labour spontaneously within 24 hours of the 3rd sweeps - with DC2 in particular it was a particularly vigorous one and I'm pretty certain it got things moving!

I've not had one, ftm and midwife has offered me one on Sunday (I'll be 39+6).
I've been trying to find out as much as I can about s&s so I can make an informed decision. There's a really good podcast series (also it's available as a YouTube channel and blog) called 'Evidence Based Birth' and on there is an episode/video/post about membrane stripping/s&s. They review the current research on its effectiveness and risks.
Basically it is around 25% effective at inducing labour from 41 weeks. Before that there's less clear evidence. It can cause the beginning of labour and reduce length of pregnancy by about 4 day (if it works). However it comes with risk of infection, pain and rupture of membranes. If membranes rupture and baby isn't in a good head presentation then this can cause prolonged labour which therefore increases risk of interventions.
So basically yeah it can work, but it's not that effective and does come with risks.
Personally I'm waiting until after 41 weeks.

There's always alot of scare-tactics surrounding sweeps, with people saying it's not natural, or it shouldn't be done too early, but as long as you're aware of pros and cons, there's no reason not to have a sweep if both you and your midwife think it's the right thing to do.

If your cervix isn't ready, the sweep can't be done. And if your body isn't ready to labour, the sweep will do nothing anyways.

However, on the flipside, as your midwife should tell you, a sweep can be more likely to necessitate assistance later in the labour process, but they won't do one for you unless they think the need outweighs the risks.

I had one at 39+4 due to reduced movements and labour started the very next day. It wasn't comfortable but neither pregnancy nor labour are comfortable so what's the big difference?

I had my sweep done on my due date 5/9/2018, cervix is soft and am currently 1cm dilated. I lost my mucus plug today 6/9, sorry for details but it was a clear white jelly like substance, not a huge amount but bits throughout the day. Apart from this and a bit off back ache I have had no other signs of labour, no braxton hicks or nothing and she is already past her due date. Any ideas on how long she will be?? I am getting impatient and want her to arrive!!!

I went today for the sweep (40+2) and it wasn't half as bad as I expected. Midwife was shocked at how low baby was and said she's fully engaged and she could feel her head. Cervix isn't quite in the right position though, still a bit far back. Anyone else had this?

@97Annie97 did anything happen??
I had mine done yesterday and don't feel a thing yet, MW told me it should take up to 48 hours to work but if it doesn't - I should come for another one

No signs yet, been 6 days since I had my sweep. Had another today at 40 + 6days and I have another booked in for Thursday (40+8) and also Saturday (40+10) as you can have one every 48 hours. if baby doesn't arrive in between these days then I will be getting induced on Monday and kept in hospital. Fingers crossed ay!

Hello,
I’ve had one today. I read all kinds about women climbing the bed in pain... I actually had to ask ‘is that it’ once she has finished. I was shocked due to the fact I had worked myself up so much, I was sweating and close to tears but honestly, it was a breeze x

I had 3 and my waters broke a few hours after the 3rd. That said, I was probably already on my way to being in labour by that point anyway as I was 42weeks and having a significant ‘show’ when they did it.

If I were to go back and make the decision again, I wouldn’t have bothered with having any before 41weeks because it’s so unlikely to have any effect for a first time mum unless your body is gearing up for labour anyway. I wanted to avoid induction, which I did by a matter of hours, possibly thanks to the last sweep.

They only allow me to go 12 days past my due date until I can be induced so taking it to 41 weeks is already including 7 out 12 off those days hence why i have had 2 already and another 2 booked in case baby hasn't arrived before I am due to get induced.

There's been nothing from me since mine yesterday, booked in for another sweep and aromatherapy at the hospital on Thursday so we will see how that goes!

I'm gutted after hearing everyones experiences i got my hopes up thinking i would go into labour within the next day or two, 6 days overdue and 2 sweeps later still nothing :'( hope everything goes better for you ladies!