Come and tell me about sweeps please......

[BoysBoysBoysAndMe]

Booked for having one on Wednesday.

What happens?
What shall I expect?
What does the mw actually do?
Does it hurt or uncomfortable?
Anyone gone into labour quickly afterwards?

Any info would be great!!

It's a bit uncomfortable, basically mw puts a gel on her finger and sweeps it around your cervix. It only takes a minute.

When I had mine I was already in slow labour and don't think it made a difference as u didn't give birth for another 24hrs!

Unfortunately I have known people to have 2 or 3 before they go into labour :(

Hope it works for you though :)

I I mean not u hahaha

Hmmm-is the gel for lubrication or does it do something?

I think it's like a hormone gel, a bit like what they use when inducing, but I could be wrong, honestly it's nothing to worry about though.

It's rather like a smear, in terms of how you lie down. But it is done with fingers.

For most people it is just a bit uncomfortable. However, for a few, it is really painful. Unfortunately I was one of those. It is ok to ask them to stop or go more gently if that happens.

Boys - will you report back, please, think I'm having one on Monday and was wondering the same?

God I hate all this messing with your fanjo business

You think I'd be used to it after having two boys already!

Thanks for your replies! Hope it gets things going!!

Good tip I had and used in mine, clench your fists and put them under your bum cheeks!
It's uncomfortable I'd say, take a few deep breaths. Fingers crossed for you.

The gel is just a lubricant. It does not contain prostaglandins which are used in induction.

You know you could say no if you wanted? They aren't very strongly clinically indicated, so if you don't want to, just say no.

I was thinking that youllscream- I chickened out last year at the last minute and I went into labour the night before I was to be induced.

Do not want to be induced at all as I have the two boys' childcare to think of-which is an absolute nightmare(no family) so I think I'll just grin and bear it this time.

I want to be away from home for as little time as possible really.

Was a bit uncomfortable, spotted a little bit of blood afterwards and went into labour about 30 hours later. I was 40+9 at that point though so don't know if it was down to sweep or not!

Mine were both overdue. I feel your pain. Hope it gets going soon.

Should I take a sanitary towel to pop on in the toilets afterwards in case I bleed or anything

Good luck for Wednesday.
Good idea to take a maternity towel for a couple of reasons. You may bleed a little, or you may find your waters start to go sometime afterwards.

I had one and also went into labour 30 hours later at 40+6 with ds2. Ds1 came on his due date so was not used to this!

For me it was painless, a touch uncomfortable but totally worth it. I didn't spot and no need for sanitary towel. It took seconds and I was already 1cm dilated when mw did stretch and sweep.

I had a show the following day which often is no indication but i woke up at 1am to waters going, contractions starting and delivered at 5.45 at home in the pool.

I would say don't worry about it, give it a try and if it's too uncomfortable nothing is lost. Good luck.

If you don't want a sweep why not have a shag a session with your dh instead - much more fun

They are uncomfortable rather than painful, if you are lucky you will have cramps and possibly labour, if unlucky it will have no effect whatsoever.
Basically if your body is ready it can tip you over the edge and kick start labour, if your body isn't ready it won't have any effect.

Thanks for all the info everyone.

Just been for a sweep and it was really quite uncomfortable, but not too bad.

Mw could open me to 3cm so hopefully it will get things moving.

Thanks again!