Give me the low down on sweeps, please!

[usernametaken]

I have a 'stretch and sweep' booked for this weekend, I'll be 40+5 by then.

What are the chances of it working?
I take it that it is rather uncomfortable whilst the sweep is being done. How long does it take? How quick could it work? How does one feel afterwards?
Should I do anything after it to help things on their way, e.g a long walk, bouncing on ball, sex ( )?

Many thanks!

I think it only works if you are 'favourable'... I had one this afternoon and it was uncomfortable to say the least. Have been having strong cramping and some Braxton Hicks (I think) but no doubt that will all settle overnight and dwindle to nothing

I'm only 37+5 though so could be a winner for you. Good luck!

I had one with DD. Had it at 2pm and was in labour by 5pm had DD at 23.41.

It was by no means a comfortable experience though! (the sweep not the labour!) and if you can go without I would. I have no idea if I would have gone into labour at that time anyway. Although saying that I think it also depends on the midwife performing it.

No worries about the hijack...very interested to hear how others got them so early. I asked the MW for one today, but she said it was better to wait a little longer as there is more chance of it working.

Herbie- 20 mins labour, wow!

Hi StayFrosty! My consultant (I think) took pity on me and wants to help things along, she's so lovely! I was incredibly uncomfortable at my last appt with her 2 weeks ago, and have been told am expecting a large baby. Today she's said I can be induced on Monday, or earlier if the signs of PET pick up more. So it must depend on your midwife or consultant really. Can't do any harm to ask though! I have fairly mild SPD and that can be excruciating enough so I'm in total sympathy for your agonies.

ok i am defo asking for sweep 2moro i am 37 + 4 by midwife or 38 + 4 by mu dates. i never thought they would even consider it b4 40 weeks

username, I had 2 sweeps when expecting DS3 (was going for VBAC) at 41 and 41+5 weeks.
It can only be done if your cervix if soft, forward facing and open enough to allow at least one finger in . It tends to only work if your body is "ready" for labour.
I found first one not v uncomfortable at all, but equally nothing much happened. Second one was done by a very experienced doctor who with my encouragement (I was very keen to go into labour myself and to avoid CS) did a rather, ahem, "vigorous" sweep. Was uncomfortable, I was kind of scooting off the headend of the bed IYKWIM, but it did the trick: DS3 born 48 hrs later . It took about 36 hrs for labour to start afterwards and I had quick and good labour/delivery.
I would/will have it done again (currently 14 weeks..)
Good luck

I had a sweep a week before due date last time and didn't find it uncomfortable at all, then it was my 3rd I'd been having contractions for a week and was 3cm dilated and effaced...had him 24 hrs later.

I had a sweep yesterday (40+5 like you username) but nothing to show for it yet.

But it does depend how stretchy and soft your cervix already is. When the MW is doing it, ask her to describe how advanced your dilation already is. If, like me, you are only 1cm dilated to start with it will be a bit more uncomfortable (like a smear IME) and less effective. If you are lucky enough to be more advanced than this it could be effective within the day or even hours!

Hope it goes well!

So, in general- a sweep will only work if your cervix is ready, so the further on your are, the better. Labour can start within a few hours of having a sweep...or it just wont work! Fingers crossed this works!

Roll on Sunday!

Just to add my two penno'th worth...I had one this am (39+5)...I was "favourable" apparently (cervix forward and softening, 1-2cm dilated but this is DC3 so that's not significant) and I think it has started things off...albeit very early stages. It was more than uncomfortable but ovr with pretty quickly and it is def not as bad as I expected! Good luck for the weekend.

I hope your sweep went well USername. I had one on Tuesday, I thought it was absolutely fine and I had an evening of what I think were contractions- much more than Braxton Hicks. Consultant said to go for a walk which I did but sadly everything has faded and now I feel normal again.

I have another consultant appointment next Tuesday when I'll be 41+1 and I'm sure they'll try again. Just wondering if anyone has asked for another sweep? I'm considering trying to get an appointment tomorrow.

I had one Tuesday morning, was told I was 2cm and she'd given it her best shot, have had on off mild contractions since but sadly nothing's established. Asked for another one tomorrow morning but was told it's too soon to try and so am booked for one Monday morning. Am 41 weeks and pretty ready to try anything...

Ah MrsFrin we sound like we're in a similar situation. I imagine they'll tell me the same thing then. Another weekend of walking etc! Good luck

After my 2nd sweep I was told to go home and scrub some floors on my hands and knees : not bloody likely! Apparently the bum-in-the-air position in combination with physical exertion is likely to help things along..
I think that what worked was pushing DS2 who was just learning to cycle without stabilisers !
Good luck to all you fed up overdue ladies

I had 5 sweeps in the space of a week and each one gave me a couple of hours of braxton hicks then nothing. Each time I was slightly more advanced though and by the time they broke my waters I was 5-6cm dilated and only had a 4h 20m labour so the sweeps did something after all.

i had one with ds. was done on the wed at the clinic by the doctor and wasn't that uncomfortable. i had another booked for the sunday with the midwife-but i never got it as i went into labour on the saturday evening! after the sweep had a few bh's but nothing again until the saturday. good luck
x

i had a sweep, was booked in for an induction 2 days before my due date...GD. Had a sweep on the thursday morning, didnt find it that uncomfortable just strange. Started having period pains that afternoon around 4 hours after sweep, next day (friday) was having contractions every 10 mins...saturday it all stopped, was woken at 5:45am sunday morning with contractions every 2-3mins. went to hospital at 8:30am after phoning my mum at 7:45am. DD was born 2:16pm.

I believe the sweep worked for me because DD was nice and comfy until i had it. apparently my cervix was favourable 1cm long 1-2cm dialated.

so i would say they work!