Cervical sweeps - how effective?

[McSnail]

Hello. Just a wee question for those of you who have had sweeps. Did it make nay difference? Did it bring labour on for you?

Had one this morning - I was told my cervix was stretchy and the MW felt the baby's head, which is heartening. Just wondering/hoping about imminent labour...

I'm eight days overdue.

I had a couple of sweeps but unfortunately didn't kick start anything with me. However the midwife said on both occasions that the cervix was still really far back and she could barely get to it. I think if you are close to labour anyway then a sweep can help kickstart you. One of my friends said that if a sweep is going to work it will start labour in the 24hrs following it - I'm not sure if thats true or not.
Good luck with everything, I sympathise as being overdue is rubbish. I won't say "not long now" as I wanted to bite anyones head off who said that to me, but this time next week you'll have a baby.

Thanks for the information, and the sympathy.

MW seemed to think conditions were favourable, so maybe I'll allow myself a small glimmer of hope...

If nothing happens, I have an induction booked for Monday, which is the earliest they could give me.

Thanks again.

Hi Mc Snail,
I hope it all happens for you soon. Hanging in there is trying. My 3rd child is due tomorrow but I was early with my other 2 and as the head has been engaged now for 4 weeks i'm v impatient! I'm not having a cervical sweep but my midwife said having sex can have the same effect so that might be worth a try too!
Good luck

"sex can have the same effect"

visibly pales

I went to 13 days overdue so commiserations I know how you must be feeling the waiting is horrendous.

my sweeps didn't work but midwife said at the time that if your cervix is 'forward' and ripe (which it sounds like it is in your case) you may be in with a chance.

Didn't work for me though and they had to go in and get DD in the end

Do keep us posted on progress...

Hi McSnail

I can provide a bit more encouragement - I had one on the Monday morning and my DD turned up at 10.20am the following morning. I also had a reflexology treatment at 3pm on the Monday - the reflexologist is a former midwife and told me she had a 75% success rate of bringing on labour within 24 hours when combined with a sweep. Could just be coincidence, who knows, but maybe ask your MW if she can suggest someone? I was charged £15 for the hour, a lower rate than usual, because of the recommendation from the MW.

Hope that helps - and good luck!

Semen has prostaglandins in it which i think is the same thing that is in the induction gel that they give you.

I had a sweep last friday and it hasn't made any difference although Dr did say that my Cervix was still closed. Went for a long walk and ate pineapple yesterday so sex could well be the next option!

Goodluck McSnail

ps - I had absolutely no signs that anything was going to happen (apart from the 'side effects' of the sweep)until 8pm that night - so there's hope yet!

YES sweep worked for me
had sweep at 2.30pm and by 7.30pm had DD

i was only 2 days over

Thanks for replying, everyone. Some encouraging stories here, which will keep my pecker up I'm sure.

Will update if anything 'happens'.

Also worked for me. Was also 8 days overdue and went into labour less than 24 hours later.

Yes.
Sweep friday morning.
Pains in the night.
Waters broke sat lunch
Labour set in sunday evening.
Baby born early hours Monday.
Hope all goes well.

hi McSnail....any news?

I went for sweep when i was 8 days over due i was told i was 2cm dialated.
Nothing happened apart from few pains that weekend booked in for induction on the monday 2 days later had baby boy that night!!!
xx How are you any news???