How likely is a sweep to kick off labour?

[IWishIWasAFrog]

Hi all,

40+4 today and pretty fed up. Have been doing everything to get things going, just had a sweep, how likely is it to kick things off? Head 4/5ths in, posterior cervix, 1 cm long, softish. Any other tips?

Tx,

Frog.

Cochrane review in 2005 said this: Routine use of sweeping of membranes from 38 weeks of pregnancy onwards does not seem to produce clinically important benefits. When used as a means for induction of labour, the reduction in the use of more formal methods of induction needs to be balanced against women's discomfort and other adverse effects. The abstract is here. My cons isn't really a fan. I'm 40w exactly today...

Thanks. I'm just a bit fed up and probably behaving a bit desperate. Have been bouncing on a ball, sex every night for the past week, rasberry leaf caps, walking a lot. Don't want to take castor oil, as it can apparently make the baby pass meconuim, can't really do hot food. No change in head position for the past 3 weeks. I just have visions of my planned homebirth fly out the window...

Sweeps always work for my sister, but never have worked for me. I am quite jealous, wish they did work for me.
Hi stayfrosty, how are you holding up/
I am a week overdue (or something, who's counting.....). I have been having contractions that are a bit different from the ones I have been having the past few weeks. So I am hoping this is it. I haven't dare to time them yet, but I think they are around 10 minutes apart. I can't ignore them. But knowing my body I will probably still be here in a few days. I even took paracetomol today, just to see if it worked. No the do not. Damn it.

didn't work for me either time. obstetrician said there was no evidence to suggest it does work, just something to do!

do try i mean

I had 3 sweeps and they didn't work. I think they only work if you are ready.
I used a breastpump in the end and this really kicked off my contractions. I gave birth soon after! I know how you feel :-)

Hey Frog

I had sweep number 3 last night and am now in ealy labour. I am, however, 42+4 by hops dates. Yet again, am in labour on the date I predicted, which disagrees with hops dates!

So IMO no, they're only going to work if your body is optimally ready for labour anyway.

oh good luck Puffy!!!

thank you Ruby

good luck puffy! How exciting.