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Original poster

Stretch & Sweep

134 replies

SpicyMeatball · 10/11/2011 13:20

I am booked in for a stretch and sweep in about 2 and a half weeks, and quite frankly, i'm terrified!

I'm hoping that i will go into labour naturally before then but if not, does it hurt as much as people say??

And if you have previously had one, how long did it take for you to go into labour?

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Pastabee · 17/11/2011 07:43

Congratulations crackpot. Very pleased they looked after you so well.

JugglingWithGoldandMyrhh · 17/11/2011 07:48

How's it going pasta and spicy ? Smile

Pastabee · 17/11/2011 13:40

Oh juggling thank you for asking but I'm not having a happy time of things at the moment. Just posted about hospital wanting to induce me. Sad

JugglingWithGoldandMyrhh · 17/11/2011 14:02

Ah I'm sorry you're not happy ATM Pasta

I got upset the day before I had DS because they suddenly said I couldn't use a birth pool as the room was being decorated Hmm WTF !!
( I'd used a pool very happily with DD previously )

But it was all OK in the end and birth almost so quick there was hardly time to have got in a pool anyway. Looking back I think some of the upset I felt was nerves and hormones, though of course it is upsetting when plans are suddenly changed, or choices are taken away.

Good luck, pastabee Let us know how it's going on here too if you can ! Smile

Original poster
SpicyMeatball · 17/11/2011 14:28

Local! Congratulations!! Sounds like you had a bit of a rough time though, i hope you're feeling alot better now!
Welcome to the world Baby Crackpot!! Grin Thanks

Juggling i was having really painful braxton hicks for 2 and a half hours on tuesday night, but since then, nothing! Fed up is an understatement!!

Why do they want to induce you pasta?? :(

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JugglingWithGoldandMyrhh · 17/11/2011 14:34

Braxton Hicks doesn't have to mean not doing anything though does it ?
I'm sure it all helps in getting ready for birth ? Smile

localcrackpot · 17/11/2011 14:58

Thanks all! Baby Crackpot has taken some guidance from the MW on technique and is currently fast asleep on my lap, being chock full of milk.

So sorry to hear you're not happy, Pasta. I'll look for your other thread. I'll only be repeating what others have said I'm sure, but they can't usually insist on inducing you. I had induction booked in for 43w but on the understanding that I could cancel if all still seemed well at the time. The CMWs were very much on my side over it as baby seemed well- was just my BP that made it dicey for a bit.
I'll go and read your thread anyway...

Good luck to you and spicy! I can't even remember the pain now. And had a normal sized baby at +11 so no reason you shouldn't be enjoying your spontaneous cephalic normal deliveries of happy babies VERY soon xx

Original poster
SpicyMeatball · 17/11/2011 15:00

Ahh i never thought of that actually. Just thought my body was trying to piss me off to be honest! I can be dim at times..
I've never wanted to feel pain so much in my life Grin haha.

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localcrackpot · 17/11/2011 15:01

Spicy - I had painful BH on Sunday morning. 24 hours later I had given birth...

Original poster
SpicyMeatball · 17/11/2011 15:03

Local that sounds perfect :)!
Sorry if i missed it, but did you have a boy or a girl? (If you don't mind me asking?)

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Original poster
SpicyMeatball · 17/11/2011 15:04

I seem to be getting them a bit more today, fingers crossed for something happening soon then :)

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localcrackpot · 17/11/2011 15:10

Ooh and when I actually told the MW to come because I wanted her I was 5cm dilated- all those contractions were doing it while the pain was still manageable! Only thing I'd change is let 'em break my waters sooner and get out of the pool earlier to allow inspection that would have led to them breaking my waters. Spent effing hours of proper pain that I doubt was needed trying to push her out in the caul. Once they were broken things got moving more, although still was v close to transfer for taking too long. Ultimately I knew I had to push her out and knew I'd split but it had to be done. You do it, then it's all over and you've got your baby :)

Ooh, just seen your last! Sorry, should have said I have a girl! She's soooooo lovely. Worth 6 hours of pushing!

localcrackpot · 17/11/2011 15:20

Other unasked-for advice is from the start of labour, start trying to feel where the head is in your body. it took me some concentration but that's what got it done in the end-don't spend time randomly pushing when you can identify where and use every bit of energy you have working out which muscles you need and working on pressing them harder each time. Three hard pushes, followed through as hard as you can, for each contraction. MW said that's most effective way...

I'm feeling positive about another now and I'm still in some discomfort on the loo and shaking when I climb stairs. There is some PROPERLY crazy stuff happening in women's brains.

Original poster
SpicyMeatball · 17/11/2011 15:22

You are wonder woman Local! I am very impressed!
I bet you feel so relieved now shes here :)

Aww how lovely! I'm dying to know her name, don't expect you to post it on here though Wink feel free to PM me!

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ExquisiteCake · 17/11/2011 17:33

How exciting for you crackpot! Excellent news! Am due on the 1st dec for home birth number 2 merely because I'm allergic to pain relief and am convinced the hospital will kill me! Congratulations to you and your family!

Pastabee · 17/11/2011 20:26

Oh and spicy in answer to the original question the sweep was fine. A bit more than uncomfortable (but i wouldn't go as far as painful) while she was doing it but fine as soon as she stopped.

She said she would stop anytime but I was very insistent that she carry on....I want my baby! I'm already 2cm dilated and 'very favourable' and it gave me a real boost to hear that.

I'd definitely say to go for it and not to worry about it.

Pastabee · 20/11/2011 06:50

Baby pasta is here! Arrived yesterday afternoon weighing 6lb, 14oz. A beautiful little girl.

Good luck to everyone else on this thread who is waiting for their baby.

H007 · 20/11/2011 07:01

I've always found smears really, really uncomfortable even though everyone else seems to find them fine, had a sweep on Friday and found it really painful I cried (like a wimp) and was shaking after I suppose it depends on each person as an individual I kind of expected it to hurt and had wound myself up. Must admit afterwards I had really bad period pain and struggled to get from sitting to standing and visa versa however this had worn off by bedtime.

I am a wimp and I know it... Goodluck

JugglingWithGoldandMyrhh · 20/11/2011 09:15

Hey, Congratulations pasta

Enjoy your wee girlie ! Smile

JugglingWithGoldandMyrhh · 20/11/2011 09:18

H007 Sorry it was so painful Sad You're not a wimp. Everyone's experience is different, especially with birth and sweeps in specific.

localcrackpot · 20/11/2011 16:57

Whoop whoop for pasta and babypasta ! So pleased for you! Hope you're recovering and not finding the new baby stage too hard (I'm finding it hard! But rewarding)

Good luck to all those still waiting.

You're not a wimp if you found your sweep painful-it might be that your cervix isn't squishy yet- I've heard that makes a huge difference.

Original poster
SpicyMeatball · 20/11/2011 18:18

Congratulations Pasta! How lovely :)!
I'm so jealous of you all though!! Grin

I'm still hoping something will happen before i'm due my S+S!

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blushingbaby · 20/11/2011 20:59

Congratulations pasta

I've got my first sweep tomorrow (at 38 +1) and having been very calm i'm now shitting myself, not because i'm scared it will hurt but because i'm scared the mw will say it can't be done as cerix too high/ long (as was the case with ds and he ended up induced at +16days!)
I'll just be sooo gutted and grumpy
fingers crossed.

blushingbaby · 21/11/2011 17:44

Well first sweep done! spicyMeatball, it was uncomfortable but painful. mw kept asking if i was ok and if i wanted her to stop but i was egging her on so can't be that bad! I'm 2cm so it's a start but a way to go yet. I'm having my second on wednesday so fingers crossed. Smile hope you're ok/ labouring??

Truffkin · 21/11/2011 18:23

I've just seen this thread and am due to have a sweep tomorrow at 40+4 with my first baby - am hoping that as the baby has been 3/5 engaged for 3 weeks, I am far enough along to make sure it's not too painful and gets things going. I had a show on Saturday and a few niggly pains since then but nothing that could be described as a contraction, BH or otherwise.

Happy to report back Spicy if it would still be helpful to you to know any more.