Sweeps - do they hurt, and did it work for you?

[blondieminx]

I've got a MW appt on Thursday and am considering having a sweep then - but how much does it hurt, and does it actually work?

I'm 40+1 by my dates, and 39+2 by the hospital's scan dates. Bubba's head has been fully engaged for over 10 days and I'm feeling so heavy and uncomfortable, I am ready for this baby to come out now!

I am drinking gallons of raspberry leaf tea, had energetic nookie with DH on Saturday night, sit on my birthing ball all the time and am glugging fresh pineapple juice also! Oh and have had 2 curry's in the last week. Still no sign of the baby, argh!!!

I had one, and the consultant that did it was not very gentle. It was quite painful, but it sure got things moving quickly!

I had a sweep on my due date, didn't hurt at all, was a little like having a smear, that "uncomfortable" feeling.

I had it done at about 9am, then spent all day walking around, bouncing on my birthing ball etc. I was just having sort of mild cramping all day.

About 10pm I was sat on the sofa,( Dh and Ds1 had gone to get pizza) and I felt a pop!

Stood up and my waters had gone!

Ds2 was born 3 1/2 hours later!!

If the MW will do it, give it a try!

Was "uncomfortable" but not painful. Consultant did it and she took her time. Better than a smear in my experience. Didn't work though. Went into labour naturally 5 days later (few hours before booked to go in for induction).

My midwife did it. It didn't hurt but it was really uncomfortable. Like Izzybiz says, it's a bit like having a smear.

Didn't work for me.

I've had 3 with last 2 pregnancies. Not painful at all but slightly uncomfortable. Didn't work for me but then nothing short of the drip ever does.
Well worth a go though as most people i know had a show soon after then labour started.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.

meant to add here they wont give you a stretch and sweep unless you are 40+ weeks or your waters have gone but no contractions.

mine was actually brutal but effective

went into labour 2 hours after it

my MW did one when I was about 2 days over. She warned me it would be similar to when I was induced (which was the most painful thing that's ever happened to me ) but I didn't even feel it! She told me I was already 3 cm dilated and DS2 popped out the next evening after 2 hours of labour

thanks ladies, keep them coming

saladfingers thanks... the MW said at last appt that she could give me a sweep at this coming appt on Thursday as I'd be pretty much 40 weeks. At the time I was as am keen to avoid intervention - but am now so big and uncomfortable I just want to get things moving! If it wasn't so flipping icy out there I'd be going for lots of long walks!

I had a negative experience with a sweep.
For DS 1 it did work (41 weeks + 3). I had the sweep at 3pm I was told I was already three cms dilated. Started to have period type pains three hours later and was in full labour from about midnight and I delivered that evening. However the rummaging around did introduce an infection so I was labouring with a temp at home and there was meconium in the waters.Midwife didn't want me to carry on at home so decided to call an ambulance. Delivered him in under an hour once there but he had to spend four days having IV antibiotics. Not the lovely homebirth I had anticipated and very nearly managed.....
Bring a pad with you if you decide to go ahead. You might get a bit messy

Had a sweep at 41 weeks, didn't really hurt, like others have said just a bit uncomfortable. Was 2cm dilated at that point, contractions started 2 hours later, DD delivered 7 hours after that. Fabulous!

I would counsel letting nature take its course as you will be only just 40 weeks. I had mine because I didn't want an induction.
I waited until DC3 was 42 weeks before I let them sweep me, and postponed the induction that they had planned for me the next day.
Provided everything is well with you and the baby I wouldn't have any unnecessary interventions. I sympathise that you are feeling uncomfortable but I would wait

I had first one at 40+7 and then two (or maybe three) more after that. They did get things going each time but it was very...slow...going and ended up having waters broken and finally on syntocin drip.

I do think that 'letting nature takes it's course' is a lovely idealistic view however our babies are getting bigger. I was induced at 40 weeks with DC4 because i had raised BP. Baby was not in the slightest bit ready. Took 10 hours on the drip to make him and my body ready. He was 10lbs. If i had waited until he was ready he could have been nearer 12lbs and then i might have needed even worse intervention.
I dont think a sweep is that invasive.At the end of the day they work for some people and not for others. The ones that work could be the labours that were on the verge of starting anyway and that ones that dont just arent ready!

I did say that provided both you and the baby are well and being monitored then its OK to go on (up to 42 weeks) If everything is fine, not meddling and letting nature takes its course is not overly idealistic IMHO

I had one with dd2 at 41ish weeks and started conractions a few hours later. Not painful at all, I found by having a ridiculous conversation with the midwife performing it I relaxed more and it made it easier. Try talking about CelebBB or snow or something, it might help xxx

I had one and it was VERY painful. I was also very anxious which didn't help the situation so the midwife abandoned it when she realised she wasn't getting anywhere fast.

My sister commented that if my bump was on telly, you'd assume it was stuck on. It does just look like I have a bowling ball up my top! Me and the baby are both fine atm I think (still getting movement, so assume all is ok in there!) but I'm just impatient now I guess

toolly that sounds a nightmare, poor you. If I do go for it I'll be asking the mw to wash her hands and use gloves ta very much!

Keep your experiences coming ladies, help me decide what to do...!

I had 3 sweeps with ds1 - didnt work and was induced at 40+15

With ds2 I cant tell you how many I had, 5 before I went in for induction and then 1 or 2 a day for 4 days during everlasting induction process and still didnt work - had ARM at 40+16

If it aint ready, then it aint ready ...simples

Had one with both dds when about 40+ 7. Neither worked and both were very painful. I think those two facts are connected, actually. My cervix was not favourable with the opening facing the wrong way still so it was hard to do, and completely ineffective.

I had several sweeps (so no not very successful on the whole) when expecting DD.

The ones done by midwives were OK but uncomfortable. The one done by the consultant was agony and the only bit of childbirth and pregnancy to make me cry - the accompanying midwife apologised and asked if I was OK, even before the tears kicked in. I suspect he didn't get as much day to day practice as the midwives.

for me it was uncomfortable for sure but golly it was quick afterwards!!

i've just had one this afternoon, more uncomfortable than painful, am five days past due date.
had a bit of a show immediately so am hopeful it will get something started, would like to avoid induction on sunday if at all possible

So did it get things moving annabeau?

Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

annabeau hope things got moving for you!

Thanks for all your replies and for sharing your experiences, I do love Mumsnet!

I think I have decided not to have it done, the majority of you seem to have found it uncomfortable/painful (I know birth is going to hurt but am not convinced I need to add to the discomfort by putting myself through a sweep as well), and I guess this baby will come out when he/she is ready. I'm going to talk to the midwife about whether they want to monitor me more often over the next 2 weeks to check the baby is still ok. In the meantime I will carry on with the hot baths/raspberry leaf tea/curry/pineapple/foot massage/sex to encourage things to get started!