Talk

Flip

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

1 2

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

To sweep or not to sweep that is the question...

32 replies

helsybells · 18/09/2012 19:05

I'm currently at 39 weeks with first baby and have been offered a stretch and sweep next Tuesday (my offical due date). Being first pregnancy I'm just really unsure whether to go for it or not. A bit worried about being squeamish, painful and labour perhaps being more uncomfortable than it would be if it just happened naturally.

I come from a family of serial overdue babies - I was 2 weeks late, my sister 2.5-3 weeks late so have been preparing myself not to get too many hopes up for a timely arrival. I also have a suspicion that they have given me an early due date from my scans earlier in the pregnancy. Calculating from the first day of my last period (Christmas day!! Can't forget that one!) I really think they have got me a bit wrong but they were certain from the scans that baby was further ahead than the calculated due date would suggest.

Having said all this baby does feel extremely "low" at times over past two weeks, exerting really strong pressure etc and I've had a phenomenal amount of BH contractions for some time now plus a few period type pains lasting for a minute or two at times. M/W also seemed to think it was really low at last appointment.

Sooooo... Just wondering what other folk think. Leave well alone or go for it! I'm just totally undecided. A week ago I was miserable and not sleeping at all then I finished work and have started sleeping really well and feeling actually more comfy than I was before. Also of course worried about baby being huge if it's late as I was a big baby and DH is a rather sizeable unit!!

Hmmmmm :(

OP posts:

Report

HabitualLurker · 19/09/2012 13:47

Having just had one last week (which did naff all, but never mind...) I'd say go for it. Obviously it varies from woman to woman, and according to who's doing it, but it may make you feel better to know that it didn't hurt at all. Was just like a smear, but minus the hard instrument.

Good luck - hopefully you won't be needing it anyway!

Report

SmellsLikeTeenStrop · 19/09/2012 14:08

I had a sweep today, on reflection it's probably a bit more uncomfortable than a smear but it wasn't painful.

I was told by my MW that she wouldn't do one unless my cervix was already starting to soften and dilate etc, it was so I had one. Now just waiting to see if anything happens. I had a sweep with DD and I went in to labour a few hours later, so fingers crossed.

Report

MakeTeaNotWar · 26/09/2012 15:18

helsy did you go for the sweep in the end? I'm in the waiting room for my 40 week app right now & still thinking I'm going to turn it down

Report

HaggisNeepsTatties · 26/09/2012 15:22

I was talking to my midwife about this today. In our area they don't offer a sweep until 41 weeks (if you want one) and apparently the induction rate has reduced since they start that policy. I'm really keen to avoid induction if i can, so if my cervix is favourable at 41 weeks i'll have the sweep.

Report

paperclips · 26/09/2012 15:31

I had one. I found it is more painful than a smear, but not unbearable at all and doesn't take long, so I didn't mind.

They work for some people. Mine was not a full sweep as she could only get a fingertip in, more of a poke around! I have booked another for tomorrow and hoping she'll then be able to get in enough to do the proper sweep

Even though it doesn't seem to have worked, it made me feel better to know that my cervix is thinning nicely so things are moving in the right direction. I am currently obsessed with my cervix! I've been having loads of "tightenings" and dull achyness, getting stronger every day, they are clearly doing something.

Sounds weird, but I am really looking forward to tomorrow's sweep as I am so eager for news on the state of my cervix!

Report

AliceHurled · 26/09/2012 16:20

Haggis, what's reduced the induction rate? Introducing the sweep or leaving it till 41 weeks?

Report

PinkPenguin36 · 26/09/2012 19:28

Hi, I am 39+6 with first baby and had a sweep today. It was very uncomfortable but had been told that if it's too gentle there is no point! My cervix was soft and effacing, very posterior so she stretched it forwards. She said I was 2cm. Since I have had some bleeding/ bloody mucus so hoping it was the start of my bloody show. Baby kicked throughout the sweep which made it more uncomfortable especially as midwife was pressing her down towards my cervix so a double whammy! Fingers crossed things get going over the next day or so. If it doesn't work then I will definitely have another at my appointment next week. I would much rather go through it again then have an induced labour particularly as I am hoping for a low intervention birth at local midwife unit.