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Original poster

Experiences of sweeps

30 replies

Niki18 · 28/11/2015 09:45

Am having a sweep done next Wednesday and was just wondering people's experiences and if it's actually worth it. Will be 39 +6 when have it and just unsure weather to wait and let things naturally happen or give it ago, have heard it can be very uncomfortable.

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KatyN · 28/11/2015 10:40

Mine were both very uncomfortable. Worse than a smear. But very quick.

They did nothing for me and I was induced at 40+11 but I would be tempted to try them again this time round.

Dixiechick17 · 28/11/2015 10:51

Both of mine were uncomfortable but bearable. The first done at 37 weeks, so I wasn't surprised it didn't work. The second was fine as my cervix was favourable and could be stretched to 3-4cm. It caused a bloody show and my DD arrived s four days later. Not sure if that had anything to do with the sweep.

Ughnotagain · 28/11/2015 12:18

I had one the day after my contractions had already started (it was booked in anyway so thought might as well). It hurt like fuck and didn't speed anything up!

ODog · 28/11/2015 12:38

I had 2. One at 40+1 and one at 40+8. Both times mw said cervix was unfavourable. Waters broke early hours 40+9, DS arrived 40+10.

WanderingTrolley1 · 28/11/2015 12:39

I had one with week-overdue dc. It made not a jot of difference.

IamSantaClaus · 28/11/2015 12:41

Mine didn't hurt at all and my waters broke on the way home from the hospital . Good luck !

Original poster
Niki18 · 28/11/2015 12:42

Thanks everyone, think will give it ago as no harm in trying even if it does hurt like hell

OP posts:
Loki17 · 28/11/2015 17:11

Mine didn't hurt but was uncomfortable. I was already 1-2 cm dilated but nothing was happening. It worked and got me started.

Utterlyclueless · 28/11/2015 17:12

I had 5 pointless sweeps but everyone is different I suppose!

Ughnotagain · 28/11/2015 18:12

Tbh it probably depends on your midwife. The examinations I had at the hospital weren't nearly as painful as the sweep.

BuggerLumpsAnnoyed · 28/11/2015 19:13

I didn't find them uncomfortable particularly. It really helps if you relax. I had mine Thursday 4:30pm went into Labour Fri 5:30 am and by 6:30am had my baby whose lying on my lap in a newborn boon frenzy now!*

shitwithsugaron · 28/11/2015 20:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DontBuyANewMumCashmere · 28/11/2015 20:14

I had two failed sweeps, MW said she couldn't even do the job as my cervix wasn't ready.
Eventually I went into labour 40+12 so I'm not sure they did anything to help.
I'm also sure they don't actually hinder anything either, so can't see the harm in it.

The first one was more painful than I was expecting but I stopped myself complaining to MW in time, thinking 'with any luck a baby will be coming out of there in a few days. Don't complain about a couple of fingers!'

DontBuyANewMumCashmere · 28/11/2015 20:18

Oh yes and the second time the MW said 'oh I can feel hair, the baby's got lots of hair' and it really freaked me out. It was the first time I really felt like the baby was human... which sounds stupid. Before that it was just a featureless, genderless "baby".
Now it had HAIR! she did have shitloads of hair

MrsSoDown · 28/11/2015 20:38

Pointless sweeps. If offered again Id decline

Pollyputhtekettleon · 28/11/2015 20:41

My only sweep wasn't sore to do but after I felt awful. Walking around was painful and uncomfortable and I also felt queasy. It didn't lead to anything other than major discomfort down below for a day or so. I could have lived without that.

RatOnnaStick · 28/11/2015 20:41

Both times mine were painless and labour started 9 hours and 21 hours later respectively.
Whether the sweep sped anything up is debatable though. The fact that they were painless suggests to me I was ready to go anyway.

Ughnotagain · 28/11/2015 21:17

God yes I just remembered mine said she could feel baby's hair as well. But then she also said I was 3cm dilated and that she was sure I'd be having baby that afternoon.

I did go to hospital that day but was back to 2cm and baby didn't emerge until two days later...so make of that what you will!

mrsm1984 · 28/11/2015 21:26

I was induced with DC1 after two failed sweeps. With DC2 I had a sweep at 40+5 and he was born the next day. I do think the sweep did something as Id had absolutely no signs beforehand, but had some bleeding and cramping a few hours after the sweep. I didn't find it particularly uncomfortable, but it's not pleasant!

sharonthewaspandthewineywall · 28/11/2015 23:54

Mine appeared to work but I'd already been having contractions albeit ineffective ones for a few days before so who knows?

DimpleHands · 29/11/2015 18:30

I found mine really painful I'm afraid! But then I do have a tilted uterus and so my cervix is apparently hard to reach.

I wouldn't have one again unless I was 40+12 and it was looking like a chemical induction might otherwise be required, i.e. I'd do it again as a last resort. I do think they can help things along.

SallyStarbuck · 29/11/2015 18:36

It was... personal, to say the least. We'd only had our new bed delivered a week or so beforehand so I think technically the midwife 'christened' it Blush

It was uncomfortable but not painful. Didn't achieve much though. I'd still take the offer again if I ever went for a VB.

ingenvillvetavardukoptdintroja · 29/11/2015 18:37

Didn't find mine painful. Had one at 6 days over and one at 10, breathing exercises throughout helped.
Went into labour two and a half days later but don't know if it was that or the 3 mile walk the day before....
I really wanted to avoid induction so thought I'd give it a go. It's all a bit hit and miss

northernlassy24 · 29/11/2015 18:41

Had mine at 39+6. Caused a bloody show and labour pains started less than 48 hours later, although the midwife said I was already 2-3cm at the time. Not sure if it helped speed things along but I would do it again, by that point I would have tried anything to get the baby out I'd had enough of pregnancy! It didn't hurt me either but I know everyones experiences are different.

Loft653 · 29/11/2015 18:49

I had one last Wednesday at 40+4, it didn't work though I'm glad I had it as the midwife was able to give me an idea of how things were going (0.5cm dilated). I have another booked for this Wednesday at 41+4.

It didn't hurt that much at all, she was able to reach my cervix (just!), and was over in literally a few minutes. My midwife was lovely and would of been happy to stop had I of asked her at any point.
If you decide to go ahead then you might have a bit of bleeding after (mine was just a bit of spotting) so I'd recommend taking a sanitary towel with you. The midwife said this is just because there a lot of veins 'down there', it's not a reflection of the pain, in my experience!