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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Have you had a sweep?

25 replies

hopperdee · 04/07/2010 23:34

I'm 40 + 5 and have been offered a sweep on Thursday if I still haven't gone into labour. Have you had a sweep? I've heard that it's very painful. Did you think it was worth having? Was it much more painful that you imagined it would be? I'm just wondering if it's better to just wait for the baby to come naturally. This is my second baby and the first was early so i didn't have to think about these things!

Thanks

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thisisyesterday · 04/07/2010 23:53

they tricked me into one!
midwife said "i';ll just examine you" and was rummaging around in ther efor ages. it was fairly uncomfortable. painful now and then, but not overly.
when she was done she just announced "well, i've given you a sweep.."

i wouldn't have one agian

in fact, i'd have refused that one if i'd known she was going to do it

tyaca · 04/07/2010 23:57

i had one with dd at plus 7 - didn't work

had one with ds at plus 4 - didn't work, another at plus 13 and went into labour 3 hours labour.

yup, painful, but i really didn't care. i would have been horrified if someone did it without asking though.

TottWriter · 05/07/2010 10:55

I've had two now that haven't really done anything impressive, although they have produced the 'show'.

You lie on your back and put your feet as close to your bum as you can, and part your legs. The midwife/doctor will then try and siden the neck of the womb and separate the amniotic sac from the lining. It does hurt a little and is a tad uncomfortable for a few minutes afterward, but if it works (and the midwife who did my second one seemed pretty sure that it can) then it's less medically invasive than gels and the hormone drip - I had the hormone drip for my first labour, and really don't want it again.

One thing I will say is this though. If you've had SPD this pregnancy, make a point of telling them, or they want you to put your knees quite apart.

waitingforbedtime · 05/07/2010 11:01

I had one - it was probably the sorest part of the whole pregnancy (and labour) experience tbh. Im not sure I will have one this time if the need arises. I bled a lot afterwards too and it didnt make me go into labour!

juuule · 05/07/2010 11:06

I've had sweeps with mine and didn't find them painful at all. A couple were a bit uncomfortable but that's about it.
Sometimes they worked(or appeared to), sometimes they didn't. But I couldn't see any harm in the attempt.
The last 2 babies, the Bishops Score was checked before the m/w would do the sweep anyway. Might have checked in my other pregnancies but not mentioned it or I hadn't noticed.

dinopiratesruleok · 05/07/2010 11:21

Am due to have mine tomorrow 40 +6, had one with DC 3 not painful as such but was uncomfortable and didnt work the midwife did say it was not likely afterwards(was 9 days late) had been offered with previous pregnancies but didn't bother as was a bit scared to be honest one was induced at 10+ the other was 5 days late. Having had one though it was no big deal At this stage in this heat will try anything.

coppertop · 05/07/2010 11:21

I've had three sweeps - one for each baby.

The first two were uncomfortable but not painful. The third one was awful so I wonder if it depends on the person doing it.

In any case, none of them worked for me so I personally wouldn't have anther one.

Albrecht · 05/07/2010 11:27

Had one last week. I was worried it could be painful but honestly it wasn't as bad as I dreaded.

I read on here before that the important thing is to relax and I think that really helped - concentrate on your breathing. Also make sure you feel comfortable with the person doing it. I'm actually not a big fan of my MW generally (she always seems to be trying to get me out of there asap) but she explained why she thought it was worth trying, exactly what she was going to do, asked was it ok to continue etc. She also made it clear it was my choice - personally I'd prefer not to have an induction so felt it was worth a go.

Didn't work but my Bishop's Score was pretty low. Going to have another tomorrow (tyaca you have given me hope!)

GwennieF · 05/07/2010 11:31

I had two sweeps with DS, neither did anything for me, I found it more uncomfortable than painful - like a slightly too vigorous smear. However, my SIL went into labour with 24 hours of both of hers. We had the same MW....

Am going in to see her again tomorrow for sweep number one (am more hopeful than expectant of it working)

Lynli · 05/07/2010 11:50

I had a sweep and it was so painful I could have cheerfully shot the MW. I suffer from endometriosis so that may be a factor. I know people who said it was nothing and those that thought it was hideous. My DD asked me what it was like and decided she would try to have one but if she couldn't stand it she would just shout stop. She said it wasn't nice but didn't take long.

boardbunny · 05/07/2010 11:53

I had a sweep, wasn't painful at all, was 40+5. Didn't do a thing, went to 40+12 before being induced. If I was in the same situation again, I'd just wait, baby will come when ready - I wish I'd waited another day or so before being induced.

Original poster

hopperdee · 05/07/2010 14:14

Thanks for all these, very mixed! Does make me feel that it might be worth refusing this fist one at least. Just had a curry and might go do some bouncing on the yoga ball.
I can't believe 'thisisyesterday' was tricked into one, that's so unprofessional. I also didn't realise how often they could be unsuccessful and it's not like I'm hugely overdue yet..
If any working midwives have tips/points of view that would also be helpful but great to get honest feedback from mums.

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janiemouse · 05/07/2010 15:12

I think maybe leave it a few more days. I think they do work but only if your body's getting ready to have the baby. I'd been in 'early labour' for 5 days when I had mine and desperately wanted things to get going properly as all the contractions were making me tired. A couple of hours after I had the sweep, things were kicked into action and I had the baby 12 hours after it.

I didn't find it uncomfortable. No worse than a smear test. Actually, probably better because they don't use that horrible metal thing, it just feels a bit pokey.

Indaba · 05/07/2010 15:19

Oh have had loads....(I am like Cinderella-me!)...

IMO depends on who is giving them.

When I got the older, really experienced midwives it was like fairies dancing down below........the more inexperienced midwives were as uncomfortable as young boys trying to have a fumble .......so doesn't hurt, just uncomfortable.

The older midwives were adament you do long slow exhaling breaths as they do the business.

ohnelly · 05/07/2010 21:28

Yes I had one and it was a bit painful but not too bad - as my midwife said if your going to have it done you might as well do it properly than have to come back for another in a few days! oh and it worked went into labour that afternoon

jujubean · 05/07/2010 21:39

I had one, but I was already 5cm dilated when she did it and hadn't a clue. It kicked things off immediately, hardly surprising though!
I didn't find it uncomfortable, I did my labour breathing and thought about other stuff. As my yoga teacher said 'if in doubt breath out'. If you are breathing out you can't tense your muscles so have to be relaxed.
Had a coil fitted a couple of months ago and that was MUCH worse.

Esme01 · 05/07/2010 23:09

had one today. Wasn't at all painful really. She said it was a good one so I am quite positive. Who knows. I had one with my second. Went into labour the next night - they did say it would take 18-24 hours so it might have been that that did it.

Anyway, I am looking at induction by the end of the week and I think a sweep is better than induction.

hellymelly · 05/07/2010 23:16

I had one,like the above poster I had no idea it was going to be done,and it was HORRENDOUS.So painful I cried and DH had to make her stop.I think my body was not at all ready for labour,and I have a very far back cervix which probably didn't help.Anyway it was honestly traumatic,I felt as though i had been assaulted.well I suppose I had been assaulted.

ohnelly · 06/07/2010 09:30

I would only consider one if overdue as someone above said - its better than being induced! I was offered one on my due date but said no. I then had one at 40+5 and I was 2cm dilated and it worked. Maybe it is more painful if your body is not ready for it?

Emilysmummy10 · 07/07/2010 12:12

Hi hopperdee, I was offered a sweep twice through my pregnancy and both times the midwifes were unable to do it due to the fact that my body wasnt ready. while i was in hospital being induced i was given a sweep while being examined but like "thisisyesterday" i wasnt informed it was being carried out and if i hadnt been told after i would never have known either. I dont think it is much worse than a normal examination and is definately no where near labour itself. I think everyone has different experiences with a sweep but i believe its worth having one on the off chance it does put you into labour as i know exactly how you are feeling at the moment!! i was 2 weeks overdue by the time i had my little one and i would have tried anything to put me into labour. lol what i would say is after i had my sweep in hospital things started moving alot quicker but like that i think your body has to be ready for it to work.
Good luck anyway and look forward to hearing how you and baba are when he/she arrives!!

Original poster

hopperdee · 10/07/2010 19:09

Thanks for all your responses. I didn't get to have my sweep as I went into labour the day before! Had a tiny bit of clear fluid in my knickers around midnight and about an hour later the pains started. Arrived at hospital at about 2am and had baby at 4am. Coped with the pain a lot better this second time around which I put down to the natal hypnotherapy cd I've been listening too - used some of the techniques and hardly even used the gas and air. 3rd degree tearing though which came as a surprise so I'm taking it easy now. Baby 8lb 6 which is huge for me as I'm small and last baby was 6lb 11. Little boy to join my 3yr old girl. He's feeding really well and seems extremely sturdy.

OP posts:

DuelingFanjo · 10/07/2010 19:15

congratulations

JemAndEllie · 11/07/2010 10:29

congratulatons very pleased for you i had a sweep and it was a waste of time didnt hurt and dint work lol had to be induced at 40+12 and still she didnt want to come. they'll come when they're ready glad you little boy is here safe and sound, congratulations again xxx

GwennieF · 12/07/2010 11:18

Congratulations, am pleased everything went well for you.

lovechoc · 15/07/2010 19:39

congratulations! that's wonderful news very glad you didn't need the sweep afterall!

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