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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Stretch & Sweep experiences!

27 replies

owltrousers · 11/01/2018 11:20

Hello!

Its my due date tomorrow and so far no sign of baby despite lots and lots of 'on the right track' type signs and symptoms (cramping, BH, lost mucus plug, backache, sharp pains in cervix)

I've been offered a sweep at my 40 week appointment tomorrow and I think I'd like to go for it as I'm starting to feel pretty done in. Can anyone share their experience of this?

Could they do it? Was it terribly painful? did you need more than one?Most importantly - did it work?

Thank you Flowers

OP posts:
foodiemama26 · 11/01/2018 13:51

I had one at 38 weeks last time due to reduced movements. It was uncomfortable but it got things going for me...irregular contractions started within a few hours. Hope it goes well for you.

RosieCotton · 11/01/2018 13:59

I had one at my 40week with my first and Labour started within a few hours. I was already 3cms when I went for my 40week appointment though(I didn't know that)

Original poster
owltrousers · 11/01/2018 13:59

Thank you @foodiemama26

How uncomfortable are we talking here? I'm a little nervous about it. Do you think I'll be ok to drive home after?

OP posts:
Afreshcuppateaplease · 11/01/2018 14:00

Only had one

Not too uncomfortable

Baby in my arms less than 24 hours later

StylishDuck · 11/01/2018 14:04

My MW attempted one at 40+5 and couldn't do it because my cervix was still too high. I'm now 41+1 and nothing has happened.

With my first I had two. One didn't work and one did, but I'd already started the induction process by then. My waters broke about an hour after. I find them quite painful but I know not everyone does. I was told the more painful ones are the ones that are more likely to work.

Meeple · 11/01/2018 17:00

I've had two children both induced at 38wks. Had the hormone pessary to soften cervix and stretch and sweep 24hrs later. Both times this got contractions started within a couple of hours and babies arrived around 3hrs after that - I do have fast babies! But the actual stretch and sweep I found more uncomfortable than painful, and it was over very quickly. All the best

bhdhnghjn · 11/01/2018 17:09

I think they only work of your ready!

With dd3 I had one at 39/40 weeks and it didn't work, she arrived 7 days later on own

With dd4 I had one at 40+3 I was already 3cm dilated and cervix very soft ex so think it was happening anyway, dd was born the next day

TriJo · 11/01/2018 21:17

Had one at 40+4 with my

TriJo · 11/01/2018 21:18

^ son, more uncomfortable than anything else and it didn't do much as it took another 3 days for labour to start.

mineofuselessinformation · 11/01/2018 21:25

You can bleed a bit afterwards, so have a pad to use.
Mine was painful, but I went into labour about twelve hours later.

LighthouseLass · 11/01/2018 22:09

My first didn't work, but on my second at 40+5 the midwife was quite heavy handed (with my consent!) and that started mild contractions. They disappeared overnight, but I went into labour properly early evening the following day. Son was born 24hrs after that (so 48hrs+ after the sweep).

PrimeraVez · 12/01/2018 05:20

I had one at 39+5 and DS arrived less than 24 hours later. It was definitely uncomfortable but it was over really quickly so by the time I had registered ‘fuck that hurts!’, it was finished.

Bananarama12 · 12/01/2018 06:01

I had two. They didn't hurt but yes, uncomfortable. Really helps to just relax and breathe through it.

needtogiveitablow · 12/01/2018 06:11

I had 2 with DS and 2 with DD. With DS the midwife that gave the 2nd one really went for it (apparently she is known for her stretching skills and the success rate), I had been in latent labour for over a week and within 2 hours I was hobbling back through the hospital doors, he was born 4 hours later! They are uncomfortable but it’s over quickly and in my experience they do get things going! Good luck!

Lemonicelolly1 · 12/01/2018 06:14

I had one at exactly 40 weeks but my cervix was too high I think she said so it didn't work. It was a bit painful & uncomfortable but it only lasts for a few minutes and if your anything like me at 40 weeks you'll pretty much be at the point you will try anything to get Labour started 😂 good luck OP

Situp · 12/01/2018 07:01

I had 4 with DS and he still didn't come until 40+12.

Most uncomfortable bit for me was midwife's knuckles grinding against my pubic bone as my cervix was high and her hands were tiny!

On one appointment I had a trainee male midwife and it was so much better as he could actually reach where he needed to get to Blush

Capelin · 12/01/2018 07:04

Not painful, a bit uncomfortable (like a smear test). I had one for DS (didn’t work) and one for DD (labour started 24 hours after the sweep - but she was 7 days late by then, so who knows if it would have happened anyway!).

PeasAndHarmony · 12/01/2018 07:06

I had one as part of my planned induction after the peasant.

It was painful but over pretty quickly and most importantly it did the job (baby born a few hours later)!

Original poster
owltrousers · 12/01/2018 09:06

Thanks guys. I think I am definitely going to give it a try, like Lemonicelolly1 says - I am so done with being pregnant now I'd like to get things going if possible!

OP posts:
Ohyesiam · 12/01/2018 09:23

It was deeply uncomfortable and didn't work. A trip to the acupuncturist worked like a dteam though. They are yellow pages.
It might not be your thing, but anything is better than being induced IMHO.

thingymaboob · 12/01/2018 09:43

Obstetrician gave me one yesterday at 3pm. I'm 40 weeks today. I was 1cm dilated anyway. It was painful but it was fine. Had mild contractions overnight now everything seems to have slowed down.

Efferlunt · 12/01/2018 10:05

I had two with my last pregnancy. Midwife said if they don’t hurt they don’t work!

They did hurt but didn’t work sadly. But over quite quickly.

OverTheParapet · 12/01/2018 10:09

I had lots with DD1. I can honestly say it wasn't painful. More uncomfortable than anything

Hotpinkangel19 · 12/01/2018 11:03

@thingymaboob we must be in the same situation, I'm 40+6, had s&s yesterday contractions yesterday but settled today 😩 OP, I've had 3 in the last 2 weeks, first 2 cervix was closed so failed sweep, had one yesterday and can stretch to 2 cm, not awful, just uncomfortable x

Original poster
owltrousers · 12/01/2018 14:31

I've just had the stretch and sweep. The midwife assured me it'd feel just like a smear test.... er, no! Confused

It was pretty uncomfortable! She said my cervix was forward but still thick, 1cm dilated and she could touch the head (which is all good news apparently.) Quite a bit of blood came out on her hand, which she showed me and said that was good.

Since I've got home I've had more mucus-ey blood which I'm going to keep an eye on. A bit of soreness and a couple of what i think are mild contractions.

OP posts:
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