sweeps - what are the success rate?

[ExtremeCouponQueen]

38+3 weeks and booked in for a sweep at 40+3. What are the success rates for a sweep? I'm nervous and hope I go into spontaneous labor before this! Also, does it hurt? Is it like a smear?

I didn't have any pain with it at all, just a bit of pressure.............and it worked!

However, have also had one that didn't.

I went in with the attitude that it's worth a try and I can always ask them to stop.

Hope it goes well, either way.

Slightly tmi, but do they use lubricant? I'm really concerned about having several fingers in me(!) I gave birth before and had examinations, but had an epidural so didnt feel anything.

extreme - I know I've said it up the thread but you don't have to have it at all. Nobody can do anything g to you at all without your consent. I think sometimes the language HCPs use can be quite definitive I.e - "I'll book you in for a sweep at 40+7" rather than "let's discuss your options at 40+7 so you can decide what to do, if anything".

I did hypnobirthing and I found it very helpful for situations like this. I do think the fear/pain theory they teach us right (as does dentist DH) and probably the more relaxed you can be the better. It might be worth looking into that

If you do want to go ahead and are nervous (understandably), ask the midwife to explain exactly what she is going to do at every stage and again before she carries out each stage (she should do that anyway). You could also ask if it was possible to have some gas and air too.

There's a good mnemonic that DH uses when discussing treatment with patients to let them decide what to do BRAINS

B - what are the benefits of this treatment?
R - what are the risks of this treatment?
A - what are the alternatives to this treatment?
I - what does my intuition say?
N - what happens if I do nothing? Can I delay the procedure and have time to think about things?

I've used it before and it really helps me make sure Ive asked all the questions I need to. If I e done that and it's a considered decision by me, that helps me feel calmer

Gobbolino (Great name by the way, I loved those books) thanks for BRAIN - that's really useful.
I had a sweep at 41 wks and found it much more painful than I was expecting. MW suggested I have another one tomorrow but I don't think I can face it, to be honest.

For everyone one woman to have the time of their labour brought forward eight will have to undergo a sweep - so they aren't that effective (on phone so can't link but this is from the Cochrane Library which does meta studies for evidence based medicine). But they are safe if painful/uncomfortable.

I would avoid one unless it was trying to avoid a chemical induction.

I had one at 40+9 and didn't barely feel it! MW said everything was favourable though so perhaps that's why my experience was positive iyswim. It worked too!