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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Is it worth having a sweep? Scared.

21 replies

RedPandaMama · 07/08/2017 07:42

I'm 40+5 and been offered a sweep for this afternoon by the community midwife at the GP surgery.

I've read up on it and I'm a bit scared to be honest, people seem to say it's really awkward and painful, many seem to say it doesn't even work despite that.

I would like to have it done as I'm so sick of being pregnant now but is it worth it?

Any info, tips or reassurance?

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Elland · 07/08/2017 07:49

I had one sweep, and one attempted sweep. The attempted sweep was done bang on 40 weeks but my cervix wasn't soft enough so she didn't do it.

The second was at 41 weeks and the baby was in a slightly better position but still not ideal, I asked the midwife to try and to be honest it did hurt but I just grit my teeth and got in with it for the 30 ish seconds it took - I'm going to add that I don't think it would have been painful or at least not as much of baby was in prime position for it.

I had it about 10am and I went in to labour the next morning.

I would go to your midwife, let her see if baby is in a good position and go from there.

It was worth it for me but I'm not sure if I would push for it if baby wasn't ready next time.

fuckthis12 · 07/08/2017 07:53

Had several. Not sore in the slightest xx

mamarach26 · 07/08/2017 07:55

I had a sweep last week, at 40 weeks. They are pretty uncomftable. But not unbrearable, baby was in a good position but nothing happened. I'm due another tomorrow afternoon but not sure if I should go for it. There are plenty of people it works for, just think my baby doesn't ever wanna come out!

Elland · 07/08/2017 07:56

I forgot to add, good luck 😊

DumbledoresArmy · 07/08/2017 08:01

I had a sweep with my 1st. Didn't hurt.
Didn't work either!
I didn't bother having a sweep with 2nd. It'll only work if your about ready anyway

oatybiscuits · 07/08/2017 08:25

I would compare it to a smear test tbh. I suspect it's one of many things that will help along a baby who's nearly ready (so maybe worth it if you're getting close to induction) but it won't magically put you into labour. I had an unsuccessful one on Friday but I also had a very lovely aromatherapy session with a midwife which I suspect I wouldn't have gotten without asking about it; worth checking what alternative therapies there might be. Good luck 😊 I'm 40+4 so I feel your pain!

ruthieruthuk · 07/08/2017 08:53

Yep they are uncomfortable but nothing compared to labour, baby gotta come out end of day and it's gonna be painful, is it more the fact that the going into labour scares u? Cos it did with me, lol! All the best x

RoganJosh · 07/08/2017 08:56

I'd read that they only work if you're close to it happening naturally, so didn't really see the point.
You could always wait another week and see how you feel?

1lov3comps · 07/08/2017 08:58

Had this done on both pregnancies, was 8 days and 5 days over. Babies came within 12 hours on first and 4 hours on second!

1lov3comps · 07/08/2017 08:59

Meant to add, found them slightly uncomfortable rather than sore

Silverthorn · 07/08/2017 09:01

Didnt really see the point. Baby is gonna come out eventually. If it doesn't they'll offer induction which is much more effective.

Member652554 · 07/08/2017 09:33

From my recent experience: I would say ,
Save yourself the discomfort and risk of inducing an infection and don't bother .

kel1234 · 07/08/2017 10:55

I had a sweep with I was also 40+5. I'd been having contractions since the Tuesday, I had an appointment for a sweep on the Wednesday but declined as I wanted to see if things would progress naturally. They didn't as the head wasn't fully engaged. So I had a sweep at 3pm on the Friday. It didn't hurt at all, I didn't even feel any discomfort, a tiny bit of pressure, that was it. In fact the midwife had to tell me it was all done. She warned me that I might feel all what you mentioned, and was surprised when I said I didn't feel uncomfortable at all.
After that, the contractions got stronger. I went to the hospital at 9pm that night, was in the birth centre by 10, and gave birth at 6.58 the Saturday morning.
It was a relief that it made things progress, as after a very long slow early labour, I was physically exhausted and needed it over.
It's different for everyone, and you won't know what it'll be like for you until you do it, if you choose to. But it was the best decision I made as it worked well.

Original poster

RedPandaMama · 07/08/2017 12:26

Thanks for everyone's opinions. I had some contractions every 15 minutes on Saturday and have had a lot of back pain and pressure since, so I'm going to ask her to check if it seems like things are progressing and go from there. Thanks

OP posts:

Elland · 07/08/2017 12:31

Good luck Red, no matter what you decide your baby will be with you so soon now, I know that when you're overdue every day that passes just makes you feel worse and worse and that the baby will never arrive but it all happens so fast when you do get going and fingers crossed, you'll be home snuggling your newborn in a matter of days now.

clarebear1983 · 07/08/2017 13:27

I refused about 3 offers but then eventually had one...barely felt it. Not sure what that says about me I lost my plug shortly afterwards but didnt go into labour for another 2 days. I doubt it had much to do with it as I had a 1.5 hour labour.

Allhallowseve · 07/08/2017 13:28

Iv had 3 and none hurt .
But I waited til nearer 7+ days over 40weeks.
It's your call but I wouldn't stress yourself out over it hurting as mine didn't .

Scaredycat2016 · 07/08/2017 14:52

I had one yesterday mid afternoon. Was only 1cm dilated and a bit soft and baby wasn't completely engaged. It was a weird feeling but not painful, just odd. I had period type pains within a couple of hours which progressed to mild contractions. Was woken up by stronger contractions at 3am this morning and things have progressed nicely through the day. For me it was defo worth it x

Original poster

RedPandaMama · 07/08/2017 15:29

Just got home. I was too scared to have it. I really struggle with anxiety and there was another midwife there who I didn't know and it all just made me feel nervous so I declined. Wish I hadn't now because I'm booked in for an induction at the weekend which sounds awful - lots of waiting around and more painful contractions. Feel like such an idiot

OP posts:

Decaffstilltastesweird · 07/08/2017 15:47

I think you went with your instinct op. You are not an idiot at all.

Fwiw I had a sweep with DD and it was gross and uncomfortable but did nothing to actually get her out. I'm going to be induced early this time and I probably won't bother with a sweep until they're going to induce me anyway.

oatybiscuits · 07/08/2017 17:20

Don't stress about it op, when I had a mw who stressed me out I refused a sweep as I figure you need to be a bit relaxed to go into labour. Inductions aren't all the same, if you've been having contractions etc that'll help make it easier. I've got a friend whose waters broke at her initial examination so she never needed the drugs 😊

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