Would you have a stretch and sweep or not?

[mrsm22]

Hi
I am nearly 38 weeks pregnant and my midwife has been talking about a stretch and sweep if/when I get to 40 plus 5 days overdue. I know what it is and what the midwife does but am not sure if I would like to have one or not.
I would like to know if anyone has had one and if it worked for them? And also, is it very painful as I have heard that it can leave you quite uncomfortable?
Many thanks in advance for any advice.

I had 2 with ds1, awful feeling I was crying afterwards I declined second but was told by what I'm sure was a dominatrix pain loving midwife to have it done as she was very good at starting labour, guess what nothing happened got induced the next day still ended up with a emcs! Pregnant again and I'm so decliming

I've been offered one but straight out declined, do not like the thought of them at all!

I had one, it was like a rough smear, exactly as the midwife described it, so it was fine. I had DS within 24 hours, which was great as they were starting to talk induction which I reallydidn't want. It was fine, not scary or awful, the midwife was professional and great.
I would certainly have one again if I went over 40weeks.

Had one when I went overdue with DS1. It really wasn't painful at all. Bled a tiny amount immediately afterwards, like spotting, then nothing. Went into labour that night. Had another with DD4 when I went overdue again. Couldn't really tell if it was the sweep or not to be honest, but she was born 2 days later.

I found my first one ok, the second one was very uncomfortable but not painful. I only agreed to them as a last resort, both to avoid induction and to get an assessment of what state my cervix was in before induction.

Apart from losing my plug and some cramping they haven't done much and I'm being induced on the weekend.

TBH I think they're mostly unsuccessful and only increase your risk of infection so under other circumstances I wouldn't have agreed to them.

Had one Monday lunchtime with was uncomfortable and had pains for the next day while losing plug aswel. I'd arranged to have another one on the Thursday. Wentinto llabour on the Wednesday night. Not sure if it was the actual sweep or the threat of another one that did the trick. I'm really pleased I had one as it turns out my little bumps were poorly and would only of got worse if left longer.

I've lost count of how many I've had with my last three pregnancies none have ever worked, despite last time being told you're 2cms dilated and cervix very favourable. You will be in labour by tonight, humph I bloody wasn't! Saying that yes I would probably have one this time by the end I'm ready to try anything to get it out! Yes it's a bit painful but over very quickly.

Yes. I was 41 weeks, and looking at induction.
I had two, two days apart and I went into labour the evening of the second one (which I had requested). I didn't find mine painful, just like a more uncomfortable than normal smear, and I would request this again.

I'm planning to go for it. 38+1 today and I believe I can have one at my 40-week appt. Might have that wrong though. I've said all the way through the pregnancy that I definitely didn't want one and would never have one, but now I'm sick of the constant discomfort and frequent pains and I'd desperate to get her out. Frankly, I dunno how I'm gonna get through another two weeks until that point.... Praying she'll come of her own accord before then.

Just thought I would come
Back and say...
I had one on the 21st (39 + 1)
One on the 27th (40 + 1)
I have had a tiny bit of tightening and losing the plug since first sweep but nothing. It's been 9 days since first sweep and will have another on Tuesday at 41 weeks exactly- if nothing i am being induced on Wednesday
I can't say whether or not it has helped with progress... But this is my experience.

Why are you being induced Nunyabiz?

Giant baby.

I was 40+1 with my first. I had 1 sweep. I found mine really uncomfortable while I was having it, about 30 seconds. Was fine after really, no pain. Went into labour about 12 hours later

I had 2, they didn't work despite the midwife saying I was already 1-2cm dilated and fully effaced when she did the first one - she was really surprised they didn't work but I still had to be induced at 40+13.

Having said that I didn't find them painful at all (prob as I was already dilating) and I'd give it a go in a future pregnancy - if it could possibly avoid induction I'd definitely do it!

Had one with #2.

Didn't hurt a bit.

Worked brilliantly, BUT I was already in sort of labour (was 2cm). Think they're good if you're already 'on the edge', so to speak, but won't be much help if you're not there yet.

yes yes and yes.

had it done with

• DS3, born within 48 hours (6 days late)
• DS5, born within 12 hours (9 days late)
• DD, born within 48 hours (6 days late)

because DS4 was ELSC (footling breech) I couldn't be induced so it was either sweep & hope or another ELSC at 42 weeks with both DS5 & DD.

same situation now, currently 33 weeks pg with #7, definitely stretch, ; sweep, sex & hope I won't need a C-section but labour will start off naturally!

(DS1 & DS2 were induced for different reasons, no chance of sweeps with either)

and yes it can hurt, there might be a little bleeding too - it's nothing compared to labour though, so go for it!