Quick poll, did a stretch and sweep work for you?

[FlossALump]

Apologies if its been done before but a search turned up not a lot!

Am having this done on weds at 41 weeks.

Would also be interested to know if it works better with second or subsequent children!

TIA.

sorry you're still waiting, Floss - just like me. One or two promising twinges but then nowt. Doc's yesterday (this is Germany - internals and CTGs every 2 days past the due date ) and apparently my cervix has 'moved forward' and baby is 3/5. Dare I hope? Good luck for tomorrow and hope it gets things moving

Had 3 sweeps in total. One at 40+ something (can't remember which day) one at 41, and one at 41+2. Was 1cm dilated at 41+2, baby was born 42+1 - yep, that's right, contractions for 6 days ! Sorry. That includes syntocine (think I've spelt that wrong - sorry) for the last 36 hours. In summary - nope, don't think it worked.

Hi berolina - that is impressive in germany! My friend yesterday said she had Mw apps every couple of days when she went over, but this is my first app since 39 weeks. I was 2/5 engaged then, don't feel anymore engaged now TBH! I've given up on raspberry leaf tea, sex and curries haven't worked and nor has pinneapple. Perhaps we provide better accomodation second time around eh?!! Really hope things happen for you soon - don't know what is worse, the excitement of promising twinges or nothingness!

Well it wasn't too bad for anyone interested! Apparently cervix is halfway forwards, 50% effaced, soft and 2 cms dilated (which I know is normal in subsequent pregnancies). She seemed hopeful. May be able to have another on friday if no luck with this one and if not induction mon/tues.

The one thing I just thought of that sped things up for me were going over speed bumps in the car ! It isn't the most comfortable thing in the world, but at that point I'd had contractions for 4 and a half days !

A sweep is most effective if performed at term plus 7 .
No more than 1 should be offered as risk of infection ect.
Sweeps done before arent really rec. as less chance of inducing labour and more chance of complications of intervention-eg may break your waters and end up with prolonged rupture of membranes and being induced anyway-or even a failed induction ect. If a membrane sweep is effective its usually within 48 hrs. Def worth finding a midwife whos been doing them for years or has been taught spec. how to do one.
I was just told as were most of my collegues to "give a good sweep " !
When i was expecting myself i asked an experinced midwife to give me a sweep and tell me how one should be done.
I went into labour 2 hours later and now give a damn good sweep myself having eventually been told how to perform one correctly !

Apparently I'll be offered another tomorrow - number 2? Hadn't heard that only one should be done.

I had a sweep and it hurt. When I said so, the midwife shouted "I'm only trying to HELP you". It was a bit of a bad start and didn't seem to make any difference, except in terms of the dynamic in the room, if you see what I mean.

Oh dear! If I do things I know are going to hurt I can't apologise enough - and I all I do is supposed to be helping! Not quite the attitude.

Hi Floss - still here too on course for induction on Mon (possibly - am dithering) if nothing happens. Hospital yesterday, cervix pretty high up but soft and baby at least a bit engaged. Placenta a little gritty.

Hi berolina - just saw you posting on another thread! I'm off this morning to get checked over - perhaps another sweep! Also probably having induction mon/tue - not quite a home birth and I'm finding it quite ironic that I'm on for a more medicalised birth this time round than the 1st! I know what you mean about feeling unsure about induction. I'm worrying about things rather a lot though and want baby out where I can see it! I hope things happen for you over the weekend - where were you planning to deliver?

my first stretch and sweep didn't work, but a second one did four days later. It was painful, but it did encourage mild contractions to begin which meant that I didn't have to go into hospital and I could have a home birth.

That was with my second dd.

good luck Flossa lump

Local hospital - the placenta praevia episode put paid to any vague hopes of birthcing centre or even homebirth - even though ti all resolved itself, I just feel 'safer' taking the hospital opton now. It is a university teaching hosp so excellent standard etc., and they all cared for me so well. (Half their doctors seem to have had a stint in the UK in the NHS and the general consensus seems to be that it's better for a doctor to work in than Germany )

Of course, berolina, sorry I'd forgotten all about that . Well I hope we hear some news from you over the weekend! Take care.

Thank you belgo!

i dont know if it was the sweep but had the sweep on wed afternoon, sex thursday night, long walk friday more sex friday night, a very spicey balti friday night aswell.

In between i had raspberry tea and the tablets.
Was due to be induced on the saturday morning at 10 woke at 7 with labour starting!!

Floss - I was induced (eventually) and the only recommendation I have for anyone, is to be open to the idea of an epidural ! Also, speak to the midwife about the timing of the epidural - quite often it takes the needle people ages to get to you after the midwife requests them - and by then, the contractions hurt quite alot (I'm being polite when I say that )- which make it really difficult to get the epidural in.

Thanks imagine. It says about that in the info leaflet, all booked in for Monday. Feeling a bit down about it all again as I was so proud having ds with only g & a which was adequate pain relief!

didn't really work for me, and was unbelievably painful. nobody had prepared me for the fact that it would be agony (the midwife said it might be "a bit uncomfortable." it was as bad as labour!!!!!) So be warned. I was probably unlucky, but it's best to be prepared to use your breathing techniques if you need to!