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

Anyone had a sweep? What to expect?

21 replies

Nainer123 · 14/08/2017 20:12

That's it really. Getting a sweep done tomorrow. Have googled it ECT, spoken to people in rl also just wondering if anyone has an experienced that might shed a lift on it? Did it help get things going? Was it painful?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Original poster
Nainer123 · 14/08/2017 20:16

My auto correct on this phone is awful!😂

OP posts:
LittleWingSoul · 14/08/2017 20:45

Pretty painful, if I'm honest! And I don't find smears etc. painful.

With DC1, went into labour later in the evening after a sweep, DC2, had about 9 sweeps and ended up being induced at 14 days over due date.

I think generally they only work if your body is ready and all you needed to get going is a tweak, so to speak.

Good luck for tomorrow, hope it happens for you!

QueenNefertitty · 14/08/2017 20:55

It was fine. Felt pressure but not pain. Sorry if this is TMI but felt like very aggressive teenage fingering Blush

I was 40+6, DS would not engage more than 2/5(?) and plug v much in place. They wanted to induce me there and then due to my BP and a single instance of reduced movement, but I begged for one more day to see if he'd come on his own.

Had a sweep at 4pm, when they told me
To expect to come back the next day for induction, went for an osteopathy appointment at 5 where my osteopath did some woo acupressure point magic on my head - and she said he'd come within 48 hours. I was Cramping immediately after that acupressure. Lost plug soon after that. Was most definitely in Labour by 9pm Grin. He was born at 10.23 the next morning with the arsey obstetrician who'd told me i was irreponsible for refusing induction stood in the hallway with her jaw on the floor (according to exDP)

Don't worry- it'll be fine- and your baby will be here soon whatever happens! Nobody is ever pregnant for the rest of their lives

QueenNefertitty · 14/08/2017 20:55

Maybe if you can find an osteopath or chiropractor or acupuncturist who's willing to treat you... it might be worth a punt if you're desperate to avoid induction.

Original poster
Nainer123 · 14/08/2017 21:13

Yeah I really really don't want to have to be induced. I'm hoping that the sweep will get things going. I'd really like to have as natural/normal as a birth as I can ie not being induced.

"Aggressive teenage fingering" 😂😂😂 that made me laugh

OP posts:
Whatshouldmyusernamebe · 14/08/2017 21:18

Quite embarrassing :( as it was my midwife who I had seen through 2 pregnancies. Uncomfortable but second one worked!

theconstantinoplegardener · 14/08/2017 21:23

I had two sweeps for the same pregnancy. The first one was gentle. It didn't work, so I had a second one a couple of days later (I think). This one was briefly painful - enough to make me inhale sharply - but quick, only a minute or so. Wear a sanitary towel, you will bleed a little afterwards. And I walked like a cowboy for a while. The second one didn't work for me either! Good luck for yours.

MrsC2000 · 14/08/2017 21:28

I had three sweeps with my first baby, none were painful but they didn't work either.

noodleaddict · 14/08/2017 21:32

A bit painful, but I went into labour naturally the next day (was 9 days overdue)

bakingcupcakes · 14/08/2017 21:42

I declined having a sweep because I thought it'd be painful/I was embarassed. I was booked in for induction at 40+10 but that was delayed twice to 40+12. It was so busy then that I got upset refused the induction and had the sweep instead. Honestly nowhere near as bad as I was expecting. Uncomfy and then a sharp quick pain. The cramps started before I got home like mild period pain, actually gave birth naturally at lunchtime 40+15. I feel like it did something and he was born within 4 hours of getting to the hospital. How far along are you?

NextInLine · 14/08/2017 21:42

I've had 8 sweeps between 3 children.
Some of them are painful, others weren't.
Dc1 I had 3 sweeps. Uncomfortable but not painful. I went into labour naturally a few days after my last sweep
Dc2 - 1 sweep, again uncomfortable, not agony but more painful than a smear iykwim, went into labour that night (although I walked around for 4 hours straight after)
Dc3 - 4 sweeps none worked, although I was getting one every week from 37 weeks to avoid induction. I ended up being induced. The first two were fine, the last two were painful. But I think I was too early and just not ready.

Just try to relax and ask your midwife if you can take paracetamol before hand to make it a bit more comfortable.
I dreaded the thought of an induction too, but in all honestly it was fine, no more painful or longer than my other labours.

Ohyesiam · 14/08/2017 21:58

Get to an acupuncturist, works very effectively. I went on to have a natural labour that evening.

OhtoblazeswithElvira · 14/08/2017 22:02

Had 2 as dc1 was very overdue. With the first one my cervix wasn't ready at all, it was painful and unpleasant, it had no effect. With the second one I was a bit dilated and it was fine it was a bit erm nice Blush

Mummyh2016 · 14/08/2017 22:07

I was told it would be like a smear. Nothing bloody like a smear. It was literally like the midwife was trying to find her keys or something inside me! Saying that my waters had gone with no contractions so they were trying all they could to get me started to avoid induction the following day. My contractions started 3 hours later so it did the job.

Original poster
Nainer123 · 14/08/2017 22:41

I might take some paracetamol before hand. Im 40+4 so really ready to meet my baby. I've heard of you're induced it's very painful, worse than normal labour. So im really hoping the sweep works but I'm not pinning all my hopes on it.

OP posts:
theconstantinoplegardener · 15/08/2017 08:55

If you do end up getting induced, don't worry. I was too (after my two failed sweeps) and was very upset about it. They gave me the pessary, told me to wait 24 hours on the labour ward and if nothing happened they'd do the drip. But I went into labour a few hours after the pessary and it was very quick (baby arrived before DH did!) & less painful than my other labours.

boodles101 · 15/08/2017 13:03

I had one sweep which was quite painful. My midwife decided she was going to talk me through it whilst doing it, i.e this is babys head, this is your cervix...oh it's paper thin. She really took her time and made sure to point it all out to me!! I think this is why is was painful. So be sure to tell your midwife to just do the sweep and give you the info after! I had some period type pains after for a few hours and my plug came away over the next day or 2. I went into labour before my 2nd sweep thankfully!

MenorcaSunrise · 15/08/2017 13:15

I think it depends on the midwife. My first one was fine - I breathed to stay relaxed and it wasnt too uncomfortable. The next two I tried to do the same but they were quite painful, midwives really dug their fingers in. It's quite a short procedure though, just a few seconds, which makes it easier to bear unlike labour!

kel1234 · 15/08/2017 13:18

I had a sweep at 40+5. I didn't find it painful or anything. Slight pressure was all.
I was already having contractions, but the head wasn't fully engaged. I had the sweep at 3pm. I went to the hospital at 9pm and was in the birth centre by 10pm.
It dos help me.

Picklesandpies · 15/08/2017 13:29

First sweep with Dd1 was rather painful and did diddly squat. Second one with DD2 was so pain free I didn't realise it had happened - and dd2 was born the following day! Pains in car started on the way home. Good luck with yours Smile

Threenme · 15/08/2017 13:31

Mine didn't hurt at all and was in labour 2 hours later! If you want a natural birth trust me you will not remember the sweep!Grin good luck op!Smile

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread