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

Original poster

How long for a sweep to work

17 replies

Eminybob · 20/11/2018 08:22

I’m 39 +3 and had a sweep yesterday. This is because I’m booked in for an induction on my due date due to GD.

So far I’ve felt nothing. No twinges apart from what I’d been getting before (I’ve had periods of strong Braxton Hicks and period cramps for a couple of weeks now - I’ve been convinced he was coming but then nothing)
I’m really keen to avoid an induction so desperately want to have this baby before Saturday.

Can anyone who’s had a sweep please share your experiences - did it work, how long did it take, what were the first signs that it was working etc. Thank you

OP posts:
JellycatElfie · 20/11/2018 08:24

Hi. I’ve had a sweep with my first pregnancy at 39+5 and went into labour on my due date and had my baby the following day.

This time, I’ve had sweeps at 38+5 and 39+1, and although I’ve had bloody shows after both, cramps and period pains and irregular contractions, I’m still waiting. Today I’m 39+4 and hopefully having another sweep today. Good luck.. I think they really work if you’re almost ready for labour anyway but I do think I started my sweeps too soon this time.

Original poster
Eminybob · 20/11/2018 08:27

Thanks for replying.
The midwife said my cervix was favourable, 1cm dialated and 1cm thick, and nice and soft.
I’ve been convinced this baby is coming for weeks because DS was born spontaneously at 37+4 so I assumed that this one would be early too. But it seems he doesn’t want to come yet.

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Original poster
Eminybob · 20/11/2018 08:28

And good luck with your sweep today too.
I’m going to ask for another one at my consultant appointment tomorrow is nothing has happened by then.

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HeresMeh · 20/11/2018 08:30

Reading with interest as I'm 40+1 today and have a sweep booked this arvo at 1pm...

Hardheadedwoman39 · 20/11/2018 08:31

I had a sweep at 39wks and 39 +3 to avoid an induction but it didn't work, however your cervix sounds more favourable than mine did at that point!
You may find that the first lot of induction pessaries really kick start things if the sweep doesn't.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you x

JellycatElfie · 20/11/2018 08:43

I think sometimes more than one sweep can be helpful at getting things going. At my first sweep I was 2cm dilated (but this is apparently because I’ve already had a baby), posterior cervix but soft. At my second sweep My cervix was more at the front and effacing nicely. So don’t be disheartened if you do need a couple, but I think they have to be 48 hours apart. Can you ask for another appt if nothing happens in a few days?

JellycatElfie · 20/11/2018 08:44

Also is your baby’s head engaged? I’ve been told second babies don’t always engage so early and sometimes not until labour!

Original poster
Eminybob · 20/11/2018 09:19

Thanks. By the time I have my appointment tomorrow it’ll be approx 48 hours since the first sweep so hopefully they’ll do another one.
Yes the head is very low she said (I can feel it, it’s like he’s going to drop out every time I stand up!) she could feel his head and could have broken my waters when she did the sweep, so it all sounded good, but I was hoping things would have started by now!

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martingoresnipplechain · 20/11/2018 18:20

My first sweep at 40+3 was unsuccessful but my body really wasn't ready. At 41+3 I had another and went into labour 24 ish hours later. Smile

Original poster
Eminybob · 20/11/2018 18:43

Well as I’ve not had so much as a twinge I’m going to assume it didn’t work. Hopefully get to try again tomorrow. Otherwise looks like it’s the induction on Saturday. Either way, this time next week I’ll be snuggling my snuggly new born Smile

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FoxgloveStar · 20/11/2018 23:04

I believe if a sweep works it tends to do so quickly (within 48hrs) but if your body isn’t ready a sweep isn’t going to put you into labour. It’s kind of like tipping you over the edge if you are already close.

meow1989 · 20/11/2018 23:15

Probably not what you want to hear, but I started getting cramps straight after the sweep at about 4pm then started getting regular contractions at about 10pm. Active labour started around 7am the next morning.

Ribeebie · 21/11/2018 12:49

I had a sweep at 40+2. I wasn't hopeful as my bishop score was only 3. That evening I had mild period pains. Started contracting at 7:30 am the next day. DS was born 18 hours later. I hope yours works for you.

Original poster
Eminybob · 21/11/2018 13:32

I went in today for a scan and consultants appointment, the baby’s growth has decelerated slightly, still within normal range but they have decided to bring my induction forward to tomorrow Shock

They gave me another sweep while I was there anyway, so things may get moving now, but she said based on my cervix they reckon that just breaking my waters tomorrow should set things off without the need for the gel.

So, fingers crossed things get started today, but otherwise it doesn’t sound like the induction is going to be too much of an ordeal.

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Mummygoogler · 22/11/2018 23:48

I gave birth one hour after my sweep!!! Pretty intense 😀

Original poster
Eminybob · 23/11/2018 01:09

Well, I went in for the induction this morning at 9.30, and delivered at 10.10pm. Just needed one lot of gel and my waters broke by themselves.
Shattered but no chance of sleeping tonight!
I think it’s safe to say the sweeps did not help a jot, but the labour and delivery were pretty good, as far as these things go!
One happy, knackered mummy here Smile. Thanks for all the advice x

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Eeeeek2 · 23/11/2018 06:41

Congratulations

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