If you had sweeps before 40 weeks, did they work?

[abbaroony]

Just that really - I won't be allowed to go overdue so will be induced if I reach 40 weeks. I have been offered sweeps from 38 weeks and interested to hear if you had sweeps at this stage if they had any effect?

Nope! Sorry 😞

No

I really think they only work if you are already close to going into labour. I had a sweep at 39+4 and she said the baby's head was right there and I likely would've gone into labour shortly anyway. I had baby that night. If you're not ready you're not ready

Not for me. I had 4 sweeps between 37-39w and none worked. Ended up having an induction at 39+2w followed by an emergency c-section the day after.

Yep however on both occasions baby was on their way already. With DD my waters went at 37+6, had a sweep and she was born the following day. With DS my MW agreed to a sweep at my 38 week appointment, after doing it she said waters were bulging (made sense as I'd convinced myself I was constipated from the pressure I'd been feeling for the last 24 hours) she could feel the head and I was 4cm dilated. Booked me in for another sweep a week later but said I likely wouldn't make that appointment. He was born less than 24 hours later.

No, with DD1 I had one at 37 weeks due to reduced movement, was 1cm dilated, had another at 40 weeks, was 3cm could stretch to 4cm, waters bulging, went into labour at 40+5

With DD2 planned induction at 39 weeks, had a sweep at 38 weeks then 5 days later, was 2cm, and still 2cm when they put the pessary in at 39 weeks, so not a success story on either I'm afraid

Sweep at 37+4 at 9am, waters broke at 11.30am, contractions started about midday and baby arrived at 4pm.

Sweep at 38w, baby arrived 38+2.

In the first case baby was fully engaged, I was already 4cm dilated but didn't know it, just having mild BH but nothing uncomfortable.

In the second case baby was moving in and out of engagement and I was about 2cm dilated.

Anecdotally they generally seem to work if the baby is fully engaged and your body is either starting to dilate or ready to begin labor.

I don't think they do a thing. I think people who do it's pure coincidence. Most people who have 'success' are post 40wesks and would likely have gone into labour anyway.

Are you completely engaged? If not mention about cord prolapse. Personally I didn't get much luck, my obs consultant thought it was fine if you're truly ready to go into labour, otherwise it's usually fruitless

With my first they did at 37+5. But it was done by a consultant and was much more intense than the ones my midwives performed with my second. I had the sweep at 4pm, contractions started at 6pm and DS was born at 6am.

With my second they did nothing at 37 and 38 weeks. I was induced at 39 weeks.

I was offered a sweep. I was really hesitant and asked the also pregnant midwife what she would do. She said if it was her, she would leave the sweep as it can cause cramps and be quite uncomfortable. She told me to go home, have a nice bath do my hair etc and relax before I get induced as I'd be prodded down there enough doing that. Don't know if that helps but good luck!