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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Due date tomorrow finally ;-) got sweep on Tue if there's no sign, how awful are they?

17 replies

MillyStar · 11/04/2012 15:19

I'm dreading having one, I know labour will be a million times worse but that's inevitable, I'll feel sick all day tue if I've gotta have a sweep my appointment isn't till half two in the afternoon ;(

Are they really horrible, worse than a smear? x

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Pootles2010 · 11/04/2012 15:22

Honestly it's fine! I had a stretch but not sweep, as she couldn't (tmi, sorry), but then went into labour at 2am next day! Is it at your house? If so, word of warning, tidy upstairs! I just didn't think! They put a towel on the bed then you lie on top, iyswim.

milk · 11/04/2012 15:23

Different to everyone.

I had one and it didn't hurt one bit. I simply shut my eyes, breathing deeply in and out, thinking of lovely ocean waves. It was over after a few minutes.

My friend had one and she said she was screaming in agony.

Sorry that isn't very helpful.

Original poster

MillyStar · 11/04/2012 15:26

It's at my midwife appointment at the docs so no worry there, I'll only be 40+5 but she said she'll do it for me as it's only 2 days before she should!

I just get myself into a right tizz about things like this at least in labour there's nothing I can do about it and I don't know when it will happen!

I need to grow up and stop worrying I just hope my daughter arrives before then x

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Cutelittlecatlover · 11/04/2012 16:04

If you really don't want one you can say no!

I had one yesterday and it wasn't too bad, I had to take a few deep breaths when she was doing the actual sweeping but it was uncomfortable rather than painful. I did bleed for a while after so if you do decide to have it I would advise wearing a pad. I've had lots of cramping since but I'm still not in labour so its not guaranteed to work.

melliebobs · 11/04/2012 16:30

I hated them

First one at 10 days overdue the midwife couldn't do cos she couldn't reach. She was really rough and felt like I was being ragged around like a bloody glove puppet. She had to peel me off my bedroom ceiling

Second one at 12 days overdue the mw couldn't do as although she could reach it wasn't 'soft enough' wasn't as bad this time. Different mw and she was really gentle.

Third attempt at 14 days over first mw again. This time she could do it and it bloomin hurt. But that could have been a combo of me being anxious cos it was the mw from a few days ago and her being really rough.

Original poster

MillyStar · 11/04/2012 17:49

Looks like I need to be brave then, desperately want her out now so I'll give it a go!!

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Jellybellyrbest · 12/04/2012 06:20

Got one today Millystar & absolutely dreading as internal last week was v uncomfortable. Going to take paracetamol beforehand..was sooooooo hoping not to need this! 40+4 today though & desperate to avoid I induction on Tue. Also desperate to have baby though so feel like I'm stuck between a rock & a hard place! DD 2 was 6lb & I sneezed her out 10 days early. This bump is HUGE & I feel like every extra day is adding to potentially (WAY) bigger baby & more difficult labour. Plus want to deliver at MLU & hospital a 20 min ambulance trip away & Im scared I'll needto be induced/transferred there

Pascha · 12/04/2012 07:48

I barely felt mine. She said I was already nearly fully effaced and about 3cm though so maybe it wasn't necessary by then.

Original poster

MillyStar · 12/04/2012 07:52

jelly I hope it's not too bad for you!

The bloody things we have to do as women I hope I'm one of the lucky ones

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tiddleypompom · 12/04/2012 08:02

Wasn't too bad for me - to be honest I was just so keen to be told that something was happening (was also 40+5). She said that she wasn't able to reach so I was disappointed as assumed cervix was high and I would be waiting another week. DS was born next day - so don't give toooo much credence!
Good luck with it all & keep your eye on the prize :)

BikeRunSki · 12/04/2012 08:02

I hated it and it made me feel sick. I am the same with smears. But my baby came about 5 hours later !

Pootles2010 · 12/04/2012 09:19

If you don't want to do it, don't do it! It's your body, it's entirely up to you. Or you could give it a go, but tell her you're nervous and ask her to stop if you don't like it?

melliebobs · 13/04/2012 03:16

May I add you don't have to do anything u don't want to. Where I live it's 'policy' to induce at 12 days overdue. Before I knew it I was booked in for induction. After going home n thinking about it I didn't want that I wanted to try n go into labour naturally. I had to argue the toss with consultants but hey presto my dd1 came when she was good and ready. 17 days late!

EmmaCate · 13/04/2012 04:32

I don't remember it being too bad. Keep thinking it will though so you will be pleasantly surprised :) I also remember quite liking the fact that my MW could tell me I was 1cm already! Although why the next 2cm took fucking 7 hours with contractions that induced vomiting, I don't know...

You are right to say it's nothing next to labour but even that you will cope with and come through.

EmmaCate · 13/04/2012 04:34

BTW I sped up... last 5cm took 3 hours. You won't be in agony for 5x7 hours, God willing!!

Murtette · 13/04/2012 04:37

It was uncomfortable but certainly no worse than a smear. A couple of deep breaths & it was over. What was disappointing was the news that I was showing no signs of being ready for labour.
Do wear a pad as, even though I had no additional discharge, I certainly felt "stretched" and as though something might come tumbling out at any second!

fridakahlo · 13/04/2012 04:40

Having had four or five, I'd really say it is down to the person doing them. I've had absoulutly agonising ones but also ones that were fine.
It does help to be relaxed, so if you can physically relax yourself and get the midwife to go at your pace, so you feel yourself tense, she stops until you've managed to relax again and repeat the process until you are done. I think my bad ones were due to the midwife being in a hurry and not having the patience to go at my pace.
Good luck and you might not need one, there's plenty of time for your baby to decide to come out sooner rather than later.

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