Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Membrane sweep. Terrified!

48 replies

everythinghippie29 · 12/12/2013 09:53

Ok, so I am now 40 + 6 and have my midwife appointment today where she said she would offer a sweep.

I wasn't going to accept and was going to wait until next week's appointment before having any sweep/ intervention.

Just looked at the dates though and there wouldn't be opportunity to have a sweep next week (due to midwife only being available on Thurs) before they would actually have me booked in for an induction. Sad

I have my heart set on a water birth and although I know I do have to be flexible, I've been told if I have an induction there is no way. Sad. I know if I don't have the sweep and it goes to induction I will always end up wondering what if...

Sorry for the long ramble. I'm literally terrified to have it done and I guess realistically for the impending childbirth. I can just feel it all snowballing and am feeling more and more worried when I thought I was looking forward to it/prepared. I'm scared that if it is really painful its going to make me even more anxious about coping with the birth itself.

I'm going to take some paracetamol before I walk down and then make a gut descision when I'm offered.

DP has booked the afternoon off work so he can come with me but I just feel so out of control, pathetic and want to cry. Blush

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
WallaceWindsock · 12/12/2013 09:59

Ok I can understand being worried about the induction. But a sweep is not the same as an induction.

It is uncomfortable, I won't lie, but it is not awfully painful and is literally over in 30 seconds. She just puts her hand inside, has a little feel of the cervix to see if you are dilating yet, which is uncomfortable but not painful, and then does the sweep. It won't feel much more than her examining you, it will be over very quickly. You may bleed a little but that won't hurt either, you may feel a wee bit wobbly but this should pass too.

Try and stay really calm, if you tense it will be more uncomfortable, focus on keeping your bum on the bed and breathing. The sweep doesn't mean you are snowballing towards anything, it's just a small non medical procedure to try and get things moving.

WallaceWindsock · 12/12/2013 10:00

Would it help to talk about your worries? Do you have an idea of what to expect once you do go into labour?

Original poster
everythinghippie29 · 12/12/2013 10:10

I've read a lot and my sister is a midwife so I've asked her a load of questions. I like to be informed/prepared and thought I was quite laid back about my birth plan and everything but with each day I seem to be getting more and more panicked about aspect and am terrified of everything.

I know that the sweep is fairly straight forward and shouldn't take long but my (also overdue) friend had one the other day and messaged me saying it was horrible and more painful than she expected. She also had her baby yesterday though so I guess it worked!

My last smear test was AWFUL and I was in pain for a week after, unable to sit/ walk comfortably so I guess I'm worried that it will be similar and then I'll have to be in pain/uncomfortable before labour even starts!

I'm probably just building it all up too much in my mind but I've honestly never felt such genuine fear about an inevitable situation.

Thank you for the honest advice, I appreciate it. Smile

OP posts:
BornToFolk · 12/12/2013 10:14

Oh, I really feel for you! I went to 42 weeks with DS and ended up being induced. Like you, I really wanted to have a water birth but wasn't able to have it due to the induction. I really remember that feeling of being out of control and powerless Sad as well a bloody massive!

I had a sweep at about 41 weeks. I was lucky as the midwife came to my house and so did it in my bedroom, which helped me relax. Might that be an option for you? To be honest, it was not pleasant! But at worst it was unpleasant, not painful. The midwife was great, explained what she was doing and did it as quickly as she could. It was all done in a couple of minutes and I had no bleeding. I guess it's comparable to a smear test really, uncomfortable and intrusive but not painful and over quickly.

Taking your DH with you and taking paracetamol beforehand both sound like excellent ideas! Do also talk to your midwife and tell her your concerns.

Is there anything that's particularly scaring you about the sweep or the birth? Get your midwife to explain what they will do when they induce you and what might then happen in terms of further interventions. And remember that it's YOUR choice whether to be induced or not. It can feel like it's presented to you as what has to happen next, at a prescribed time but you don't have to have it.

Good luck! Remember what ever happens, you'll be holding your baby very soon!

Original poster
everythinghippie29 · 12/12/2013 10:32

Thanks Born Smile

I suppose its really the end goal I should focus on really isn't it!

Not sure what aspects are scaring me the most, honestly, probably the recovery/worry of long term problems afterward which I know is totally out of my control and could happen without induction anyway!

I think I just need to woman up, adjust my ovaries and run into this whole birth thing crying FREEDOM Braveheart stylee! Grin

OP posts:
BornToFolk · 12/12/2013 10:57

Grin I like your style!

Flisspaps · 12/12/2013 11:04

YY to the comment - you don't have to accept the sweep or^ induction, and opt for expectant management as long as you are aware of both the risks and benefits of either course of action.

1Madhouse · 12/12/2013 11:07

I had a sweep at 41 wks and it was abit uncomfortable but over with quickly. Went into labour naturally a few days later and all went well. Started off in the pool but had to cone out to deliver. Good luck.

akuabadoll · 12/12/2013 12:08

I had a sweep which was offered at an examination, it was unexpected, I accepted and it was over in seconds. Everyone is different but honestly I barely felt anything at all, certainly I have had my much more uncomfortable exams with no sweep.
To repeat what the previous poster said, you don't have to accept an induction. Like the sweep, you should be offered not informed.

EmB1715 · 12/12/2013 16:44

How was it everything?

Shellywelly1973 · 12/12/2013 19:42

How did it go?

Hope your ok.

Original poster
everythinghippie29 · 12/12/2013 22:04

It DID hurt quite a bit but didn't last long. DP was a super star and kept me laughing during it though At least it's done now! M/W seems to think he will be a few days still but cervix is dilated by a cm so that's a good sign apparently Smile

Quite uncomfortable now though, all his movements seem to be huge and painful! I think he was most put out by a stranger stroking his head and he'a letting me know about it!

Thank you for all the lovely support, really did help to calm me down. Thanks

OP posts:
PorkPieandPickle · 13/12/2013 09:55

I came on to write a thread as am having a sweep this afto at 40&7, so this thread has helped me mentally prepare.
Come on baby, I want to meet you!!

Original poster
everythinghippie29 · 13/12/2013 10:14

porkpie

It was nowhere near as bad as I'd built up to in my head! Today I feel absolutely fine, no residual soreness or anything! Still no baby but ahh well, I feel really relieved that I went ahead with it.

Good luck with your sweep! Hopefully we will both have babies on the outside soon! Grin

OP posts:
Wuxiapian · 13/12/2013 10:58

I had a sweep at 41 weeks. It did nothing.

I was induced at 42 weeks. Initially with pessary which did nothing.

24hrs later my waters were broken and I dilated pretty quickly as was allowed to use the pool. Baby was born in the water within 3 hours.

Keep us posted and good luck!!

Original poster
everythinghippie29 · 13/12/2013 11:44

Oooh Wux its heartening to hear you were allowed to use the pool despite being induced!

I am so worried about a little I intervention escalating quickly. Don't think the sweep worked to be honest, no cramping, bleeding or generally any change so far, but fingers crossed!

OP posts:
Wuxiapian · 15/12/2013 19:19

How are things, everything??

Felix90 · 15/12/2013 19:26

Glad I found this thread. I am having a sweep on Wednesday, although I will only be 37 weeks (they are trying to start me off as I have obstetric cholestasis, otherwise booked in for an induction at 38 weeks) and I am terrified. Hopefully won't be too bad after reading this. How did you feel afterwards? I have my appointment in the morning and OH is coming with me but then he has to go back to work afterwards.

nannynome · 15/12/2013 19:55

Me too felix90, weds morning and partner going to work afterwards. Mine is due to GD, I am also 37 weeks. So glad these threads are around to reassure. Am nervous, bump hasn't dropped though so not sure if this will have any effect. Am being induced on Boxing Day if not, all my original birthpool plans have utterly fallen by the wayside, at least I may get to watch Doctor Who on Christmas Day. Hope everything goes well for you.

Felix90 · 15/12/2013 19:57

nannynome we could be the same person apart from the GD!! Midwife said to me that she might not even be able to do it as it's so early but I hope she can, even though I'm dreading it! I wanted a water birth too, had my heart set on it Hmm let me know how you get on!

Original poster
everythinghippie29 · 15/12/2013 20:41

Still no baby so induction is looking ever more likely. Booked in for Wed but reeeeeaally hoping I go naturally before then.

I had my show yesterday which I got excited about but not a dickybird today so no joy there yet! Hope all of your inductions go well! It's horrible when all your plans seem to slip away, but ahh well it will all be worth it when we have our babies here. Thanks

OP posts:
Felix90 · 15/12/2013 20:48

Good luck everythinghippie! I'm sure it will all go smoothly and remember the end result will be worth it Thanks

nannynome · 15/12/2013 21:25

I think we should all buy tramp

nannynome · 15/12/2013 21:26

Stupid phone!! I think we should all buy trampolines and bounce up and down in attempts to persuade the bumps to sort themselves out ;)

kimbaker1991 · 15/12/2013 23:24

Ohhh thankyou for this thread I'm due Thursday and have a sweep booked for Friday, I hope DS makes an appearance before then,but this has helped me to feel a bit less nervous about the sweep! Let's hope all these babies hurry up !