Is it normal to have period pains after a sweep?

[Lizbiz89]

I had a sweep about 2 hours ago and now I'm experiencing awful period pains. Is this normal? Will they tail off? First time I've had a sweep and it's my 3rd birth. Never had these horrendous period pains with my other births, just gentle contractions that increased and became more intense.

Sweeps can cause hyperstimulation, so yes it is a normal reaction. It should have been explained to you really.

Might be quite a quick labour!

I've had a few sweeps which did absolutely nothing. Then one with a different midwife who was much 'rougher' - I had some period type pain after and went into labour that evening. Hope your bag is packed 😊

Thanks for the replies. I'm only 39 weeks so wasn't sure it was going to do much. Plus she said I was barely 1cm and my cervix was very high and far back. But my god the pains after were horrible. Had a bit of spotting as well. Will see how it goes tonight. Hospital bags are definitely packed!

I had period pains after mine and went into labour about 24 hours later.

The pains are normal, OP.
Good luck - I hope you go into labour tonight.

Never had a sweep but had period pains after induction - (38 weeks ) My Ds came very quickly after ..

good luck

I had two sweets with my third baby, like you I had never had a sweep before.

The first sweep I had cramps a few hours after and even started timing them, lost some blood and thought labour was starting.. it didn't.

Second sweep (I was 10 days overdue) midwife said I was 2-3cm and went in to labour a few hours later, pretty quick being 5 hours from first contraction to baby.

3rd babies apparently are a bit tricky with labour getting started (I was told this several times by different midwives).

I didn't really enjoy having a sweep as I got lots of cramps but psychologically was torture after it all stopped. It felt very much like my body was doing something it didn't want to to.I now have a 13 month old sleeping next to me, so they do come out eventually haha

Very normal! I had period like cramps/some bleeding after a sweep with my first son and went into labour that night. Got my fingers crossed for you!

This is how my labour started both times!

There is something called irritable uterus. With hindsight, I should have refused sweeps with my second baby; they did nothing for the first pregnancy, just gave me false hope. Turns out I’m great at being pregnant and giving birth but rubbish at actually getting to active labour.

Just let them carry on and only go to hospital if you’re actually in labour. You’ll know when it’s happening for real.

Thanks for the replies everyone. Had a very uncomfortable night. Had to take some painkillers and sleep with my back warmer. Still no contractions though, just feel very sore. Hoping this pain goes before contractions start as contractions and period pain sound absolutely horrible 😫

@Lizbiz89 Ah you poor thing! Keep moving if you can 🤞🏼

Contractions and period pains are the same thing though.

@mumtotwox thanks. Still aching but no contractions yet.

@TheShellBeach not for me. Contractions feel like tightenings and period pain feels like constant aching. Atm I don't feel any contractions just aches. Maybe this could be early labour but I never had this with my 1st 2. We will see.

That's what period pain is though. It's your uterus contracting to make your cervix dilate enough to allow the menstrual blood out.

If you're having period pains it means something is happening. Hang in there. Try to rest if you are feeling tired, or if you just want things to kick off ASAP, try going for a long brisk walk. That's what got things moving for me. Or alternate naps, walks and meals so you're prepared for any eventuality.

The contractions I had with my first after induction were just like very bad period pains. A constant very painful ache as you describe, there were no waves of pain etc
Are you sure you are not in labour?

I had this after my first sweep, definitely more painful than actual contractions and never bloody led to anything. Eventually just stopped and didn't go into labour until 24hrs later

Thanks for the replies. Yeah it's like dull period pains now. I'm keeping active but doing the boring chores washing, cleaning etc 🤣. See what develops over the next few hours/days. Obviously my 1st sweep so not experienced this before. Definitely uncharted waters.

Absolutely

Have you had your baby yet, @Lizbiz89 ?

@TheShellBeach no still pregnant! Obviously my body wasn't ready. Going in for monitoring tomorrow because they were concerned about babies weight tailoring off so I think I might end up being induced. We shall see. But yes the sweep did absolutely nothing apart from cause lots of pain 😫

Oh no!
You must be so fed up now.
Good luck tomorrow.

@TheShellBeach thank you! Obviously the ideal situation would be to go into labour before tomorrow but I don't see that happening unfortunately. This baby is well and truly comfy in there 🤣

I am in trepidation asking this, @Lizbiz89 but have you had your baby now?

@TheShellBeach still no baby! Must be extremely comfy in there! Was monitored yesterday and everything is fine thankfully. Going in tomorrow to be induced if he doesn't make an exit before. Fingers crossed he does 🙏.