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Original poster

Sweep - How long until you see the effects?

18 replies

MotherofKitties · 01/08/2017 18:04

As the title says!

Just had my first sweep at 40+1 for my first pregnancy and midwife said if it works it'll kick in within 24hrs (1cm dilated and baby 3/5s engaged already).

I'm being quite impatient so I was wondering how long did it take for you until you noticed it had had the desired effect/what were the symptoms?

Thanks in advance! Xx

OP posts:
LloydColeandtheCoconuts · 01/08/2017 20:09

Sorry, can't help but am interested to find out. I'm 39+4 and if nothing happens by Friday then I'll be getting a sweep. So would like to hear about people's experiences too.
Apart from heavy, bloated, fat, tired and (possibly) sick of being pregnant, how are you feeling? Grin

dementedpixie · 01/08/2017 20:11

I had 2 with dd and neither did anything and I ended up getting induced instead

tootsieglitterballs · 01/08/2017 20:16

Following with interest! I had a sweep at 40+1 with our first and it didn't do anything. Had one again at 40+5 and again did nothing. Was induced at 40+6 and he was born at 40+9.

This time, due to EMCS last time, I'm hoping for a sweep at 39 weeks and again at 40 to try and increase the chance of a VBAC, as once I get to 41 weeks, it's a c section.

kel1234 · 01/08/2017 20:18

I had a sweeping the Friday, at 40+5, at 3pm. I'd been having contractions since the Tuesday, but the head wasn't fully engaged so nothing would happen.
The contractions started getting stronger about 3 hours later.
I went to the hospital at 9pm, and was in the birth centre by 10. Gave birth at 6.58 the following morning (Saturday morning).

WhichJob · 01/08/2017 20:18

I had a sweep but it didn't do anything. Have they actually been proven to help? I felt like it was pointless!

midnightflowers · 01/08/2017 20:19

I had a sweep with ds3 at 9am (1cm dilated) and he was born by 9pm
Sweep with ds2 was done around lunch time and he was born just after midnight.
Keep active after having it done. I was told it was more effective and sex!

shockshockhorror · 01/08/2017 20:20

I think it can vary so much. I had a sweep with my second and went into labour walking home from the appointment.

midnightflowers · 01/08/2017 20:20

More effective if you kept active (sorry if that wasn't clear Grin

NinaMarieP · 01/08/2017 20:21

Following with interest. I will be 40+2 tomorrow and I'm hoping I will be offered a sweep. I've read that they're effective in 50% of cases.

SuperBeagle · 01/08/2017 20:23

All four of my babies were overdue (41+2, 41+4, 42+0, 41+2). The sweeps never worked for me.

I've always been told that they're only successful around 25% of the time, and only in cases where labour is close anyway (dilation, effacement etc).

Original poster
MotherofKitties · 02/08/2017 12:50

Hi ladies,

So bit of an update. Started getting contractions within an hour after the sweep, got painful 4 hours later, ended up in hospital at 4am this morning to be told that I was 2cm dilated with a soft cervix and then the contractions stopped, completely Sad

Having tightenings now but no pain. So the sweep had progressed my cervix but I'm now back home feeling very disappointed and disheartened that I'm not in the throws of labour; I feel like she's never going to arrive at this rate Sad

Been walking and bouncing today and no joy so far, I hope for the PP your pregnancies/labours progress more quickly than mine!

Xx

OP posts:
LloydColeandtheCoconuts · 02/08/2017 13:23

Sorry to hear that MotherofKitties. Maybe it's time for a pineapple spicy curry followed by some rampant sex! Wink

tatree · 02/08/2017 13:30

Good luck, no advice but I hope it happens for you quickly!

DigitalGhost · 02/08/2017 13:35

I'm 40+1 today and my midwife said a sweep was unlikely to work until 41 weeks now I'm confused!

NinaMarieP · 02/08/2017 13:39

Saw my midwife this morning and she said she would normally wait until 41 weeks to do a sweep. But she was willing to do one today because I've been really anxious and upset since going past my due date.

I was already 1cm and my cervix has started to shorten so I'm hoping something will happen now. If not I'm having aromatherapy at the hospital on Friday and I can request a second sweep for Monday/Tuesday.

Hope things get going again for you motherofkitties.

LloydColeandtheCoconuts · 04/08/2017 10:11

Hello,
I wanted to drop in and see if there were any updates.

NinaMarieP · 04/08/2017 14:41

I've been seeing my show coming away in bits and pieces since my first sweep.

Second sweep today and am now 2cm, softer and shorter. Fingers crossed for us all.

LloydColeandtheCoconuts · 04/08/2017 15:55

Good luck Nina, that sounds hopeful. Fingers crossed things will start very soon.

I misunderstood my midwife and thought I'd be getting my sweep today. But am booked in for Thursday. Hopefully things start before then.

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