How effective are sweeps

[xJulesx]

I had a check up today with my consultant at the hospital to check what position baby is in (midwife thought baby was oblique or breech) Thankfully baby is in the right position.

I was given a sweep and told that babies head is low down, was also given an induction date for 8th April just in case nothing happens.

How effective is having a sweep? This is my first baby.

Any advice much appreciated.

hi there,
I have had two sweeps now, at 40 + 5 and 41 + 2, now 41 + 4 and still no baby. They were a bit uncomfortable, the first was quite bad for me probably as cervix wasn't very soft. But they do seem to work with many people, at the hospital everyone keeps telling me to have sex and that this will be just as good to get things moving! Hope so, otherwise I have to go in for induction at 42 weeks on the dot. Am being monitored every day now....

good luck!

There must be some evidence that they work or they wouldn't do them... however, I had two and neither worked for me. My own opinion is that when midwives perform these, some babies arrive, but it's purely coincidence... the baby was gonna come anyway! Same with induction... I was with a woman who had been in for 3 days supposedly getting induced. Her baby obviously wasn't ready! They induced me and it started straight away! My DD was almost 3 weeks late though, and I feel very strongly that she was imminient anyway, and they used totally unnessary drugs on me, which ultimately led to an EmCS.
Good luck with whatever you decide... research, research, research!

Sweeps work if the baby is ready to be born anyway, otherwise not very effective.

Also depends on the person doing it, apparantly our local consultant is very good.

I had one on Tuesday at 41 weeks, cervix open and 3 cm dilated (2nd baby) and had cramping all day and loads and loads of show....but here we are 3 days later and still no baby.

Having another tommorrow 40 plus 10 days and if nothing, then induction on Monday morning at 42 weeks.

Not sure if they work or not, so far its a no, but I am trying to avoid induction this time around, but its not looking good so far.

Good luck

I had two sweeps one when due and one 10 days (?) overdue. Didn't really hurt, was in labour within 3 hours of second one, might well have been anyway.

TBH I'm not sure if it helped or not, the whole point for me was trying to avoid induction and due to the way the birth went ended up being induced anyway to try and stimulate contractions.

If I had my time again I would go for it the day before potential induction, but not sooner.

Good luck lilymolly, fingers crossed for you.

Thanks for your replies.

Since having the sweep I have had lots of movement, cramping and my stomach is rock hard.

I think as it is my first I am worrying about all sorts of silly things and generally trying to get my head around what's in store for me.

Anyway thanks again.

Good luck lillymolly and georg1a

Have been for two sweeps this week and cervix closed both times. Trying to avoid induction as want vbac this time. I seem to be made to feel I have a defective cervix everytime I see anyone!! Am 41 + 2 now so fingers crossed a miracle will help me dilate over the weekend! Hope your sweep was effective tho! x

i went for a sweep with dd and had her 1 hr and 40 mins later!

Had another this morning, and am now 4cm dilated, but still nothing

Going in for induction on Monday x

I had a sweep at 40+3 with DD, she was born 24 hours later.

i had a sweep at 40+3 went into labour at 40+8 so i cant say it really did or didnt help for me i was dialated by 1cm when i had the sweep so things were probably on there way anyway. hopeflly it works for you hun good luck xx

good luck Lilymolly!!

good luck Lilymolly!!