Sweep stories

[Rose0804]

I would love to hear of any successful or non successful stories after stretch and sweep. I had a stretch and sweep today first pregnancy and was told it isn’t likely to work but would love to hear from anyone that did have a successful one and if it was first try 😊

I had a successful sweep! 2 days before my due date. I was told my cervix was 'favourable' at the time. Woke up next morning feeling a bit unwell then contractions started. They increased in intensity throughout the day and my son was born just before midnight. He was my second though so whole process was quicker than the first.

First sweep at 40w2d - nothing
Second sweep at 40w6d - labour started that night

I think if you're very near natural labour starting by itself a sweep may get things going a tad quicker but if your baby is sitting comfy a sweep isn't going to induce you. It's more like a gentle nudge in the right direction from what I've been told.

Tbh I found them both an uncomfortable process and would be unlikely to opt for one again.

Had a sweep at 36+5 (waters had broken and labour wasnt progressing fast enough for MWs liking so she done an unconsented sweep).

It was pure hell, most painful part of my labour by far - 2 hours of a solid, non-stopping contraction. They kept trying to shove ora-morph down me and I kept just throwing it up too. (This was all on an open ward too btw, in front of women and their partners waiting for C-Secs or to be Induced).

Btw, the actual sweeping process wasnt painful, it was that it produced one solid and long contraction straight afterwards. My MW tried reasoning she done the right thing to my DM as she said that it showed it was a successful sweep because it kicked off contractions straight away.

Did I progress any further after that? No. I was still only 3cm. So I dont think that was successful at all.

Anyway, good luck OP

Had one at about 41+5 - it was like someone waggling a finger about, didn't hurt or feel uncomfortable at all. Went into labour later that afternoon. I think I might already have been a tiny bit in labour though.

1st Sweep - Nothing and then 24 hrs later horrible pains
2nd Sweep - Nothing and then 24 hrs later horrible pains
3rd Sweep - 24 Hrs later went into Labour :)

I had 3, first one was only one that made me feel anything. But it only last a few hours. Ended up being 12 days late and induced.

Thank you very much for your stories and advice 😊

I had one at 41 weeks exactly and it wasn't possible to complete it due to my cervix being too far back.

Second sweep at 41+2 and the midwife managed to do it - I was 1 dilated and staryed losing my mucus plug over the next 24 hours.

Third sweep at 41+4 when I suspected I was already in early labour - this ramped up my contractions to every 2-3 minutes and I had my baby in my arms by 2am the next morning! So I was already going that way but it tipped me over the edge I'd say.

I believe that the sweeps helped me avoud induction at 42 weeks, so I'm very grateful for them!

1st one cervix wasn't ready but she tried anyway, so painful.

2nd cervix slightly better but still not great, hurt so much but I believe it wouldn't have if my cervix was ready. Went in to labour less than 24 hours later but had birth complications, in my mind I should have just waited until DS was ready by himself! Just my opinion though, I don't know for sure if it would have made a difference.

I was ready to be induced at 41+4. I was taken into hospital ready to have a drip to start contractions the next morning. I had already had two sweeps which did nothing to start labour. Once I was settled on the ward a midwife offered a third sweep and I thought why not? Labour started that night and I had LO very next day

Good luck OP