membrane/ stretch and sweep did it work for you? how did you feel after??

[Donna1989]

just wondering what everyones views/ opinions are on stretch and sweep how many did you have? did they work with you? how did you feel after one or the next day?? don't hold back on too much infomation....

Yes, BillStickers sadly I have to say I felt physically violated during the sweep I had too, though perhaps only very briefly - but it was that horrible (with DC1/ DD) - and would agree that I didn't feel that during any other internal exam or during the birth

• though I was fortunate to have very natural births and midwife and I kept the examinations to a minimum - think I managed to have DS without any - arriving on labour ward ready to push and he was with us within half an hour

Sorry if I'm getting carried away with my reminiscing - it's his birthday today

I had a sweep at 40+6 and gave birth less than 48 hours later. Who knows if the sweep helped or not. Physically, it was fine - not too uncomfortable.

Another thought on this - have to agree with the NCT that it's efficacy (how well it actually works) has to be in considerable doubt given that ....

1. It's generally done when you're past your due date so pretty likely to go into labour within 48 hours anyway
2. There's not really any control group - though I guess someone could look at the stats of those who decline one that is offered. Am pretty sure I went into labour next day after declining a sweep with DC2 - so there's some anecdotal data for you/ a first stat for someone's research!

Basically as so often happens people may well be confusing concurrent or sequential occurences with cause and effect IYSWIM

In other words I could splash you with magic water and you go into labour next day, doesn't mean the magic water actually worked

I had one at 39+6 with DD, but was already 3cm dilated and in early labour. No bad pain after until contractions started at 10pm 6 hours later and DD born at 9.15 the next morning

I think if you're already on your way it'll speed things up, but judging from remarks on here, if you're not it'll do bugger all

Yes it worked for me

Had one in the afternoon. Was in active labour by 11pm

Have to say - awful experience though - didn't like it one bit

I had one - it did nothing, hurt like hell, and I will never consent to one again.

My 1st MW did her dissertation on stretch and sweeps and agreed they were useless unless your body is ready to go into labour. My waters broke and I was desperate for a home birth so she did a very thorough stretch and sweep - contractions started with full force an hour later and ds arrived by the end of the day! My body was ready to go into labour so she just made sure things happened a bit faster so I could get a home birth.

well after 2 sweps aventually went in to labour weds eve and delivered this morn just after 12am bang on 39 weeks her name is katie leigh weighs an amazing 6lb 12oz and she's doing amazing so deffo a sucessful sweep or was it just luck or ment to be will never know xxxx

Had two but they achieved nothing. I ended up being induced and then emcs.

I'm really surprised by how much people are saying it hurt though. I didn't find it pleasant, but the pain was nothing compared to what labour felt like. I always wonder if I just had good sweeps or bad labour.

oh, and congratulations Donna!

Hurt like hell and made me cry, despite midwife telling me to relax. Didn't do a thing!

Would never agree to one again. Why do midwives feel the need to get things going? All that nonsense about not going over 42 weeks!

Second time round I told them to leave me the fuck alone! Ds2 was born when he was ready.

I know this sounds ridiculous but can I ask what is a 'sweep'? it is decades since I gave birth and can honestly say that this procedure just wasn't around then - didn't even have a scan either!!

Congratulations Donna
Katie is a great name BTW

Congratulations!

I had two. Neither worked. Bloody painful when done by a 6 foot nurse with ship size hands.

lol rally that's one that no one will no, and thank you every1 so chuffed lool and a stretch and sweep is best to be google can be done in 2 ways if I'm correct xxxx

I had two and they did nothing. Worst pain ever .. until the 30-hour pain fest of labour, that is.

I had one with 2nd dd 2 years ago by consultant.
didn't feel a thing but went into labour within 24 hours. would defo have another if gone overdue.

I had 4 sweeps with my youngest, they all hurt, an they all did nothing! I still had to be induced anyway.

I had three over ten days when I went overdue with DS2. I had been at least 2cm dilated for a week, and was fed up of being told that I was in the early stages of labour. The thing which worked was the midwife (accidentally?) rupturing my membranes during the third one, baby born 6 hours later .

I took paracetamol for the second and third sweeps, the first was awful and it seemed to take the edge off.

Oh forgot to say, they hurt because my cervix was closed but they tried to stick a finger or two in to stimulate it an unstick the plug
With my eldest i was already slightly dilated so it wasn't as painful.

Had three with my second, only the third was really uncomfortable and that one worked. I'd asked about doing it myself but they said they doubted me reach/fingers would be long enough and they were right, I couldn't reach my cervix.

However, I was told(by two MW's) that sex after a sweep would be likely to work from both a friction and hormone perspective. Sex alone worked with dc1 and sweep, sex and orgasm worked with dc2 (IMO anyway).

My midwife actually told me that they don't work, it's just something they do to keep mum to be quiet! She was a moody old cow though. I have to say that mine was relatively painless and I did go into labour the next day. Coincidence ..... Perhaps!

I didn't want it but they eventually forced it on me and it hurt like hell and made no difference whatsoever. Ended up induced and even that took 3 goes, clearly my dd didn't want to leave me and still clings on 18 months later!