Can a failed sweep still work?

[HeresMeh]

I had my 2nd failed sweep today at 11:30am and I'm currently 40+5. Cervix is too high and they can't get in to do it properly although she said she managed to feel the babies head was very low down.

Since this morning I've had very very very slight brown discharge and quite painful tightenings that I've started tracking on my app.... (photos attached)

Can a failed sweep still work and start off 'early labour' or am I just going through the motions and after effects of a failed sweep?

Apologies if this is really daft.. but I'm a FTM with no idea and any help would be much appreciated!

So did she do a sweep or not do a sweep?

Did she try and do a sweep and couldn't because the cervix was too far away?

Or did she just comment that the cervix was far away and actually do the sweep?

She either did the sweep or she didn't do the sweep and it's difficult to understand from your post whether she did or not....

If she can't sweep them she can't sweep. That doesn't mean that baby hasn't kicked off spontaneous labour in the meantime. If they're getting closer as per your app I would get your partner to time them for you by feeling belly tightening and you rest. You'll need energy for later if this is it.

Hi guys,

Sorry, yes she 'attempted' the sweep but couldn't carry it out cause it was too far back... apologies for not being clearer

In which case the sweep never happened.

So the symptoms you're having are not down to a failed sweep. They are happening in their own right, which is good - things sound like they're moving on.

Good luck!

Really appreciate you getting back to me!
Sorry for being a spoon...

Phoned the midwife and they're happy for me to get on the TENS machine and wait it out for the moment 😊

Thanks for your quick assistance

Well if a sweep didn’t happen, it can’t “work” can it?

I had a failed attempt to sweep due to hard cervix facing upwards. Mw said she can't see anything happening for a few days at least. Labour started naturally 2 days later.

I had a failed sweep when midwife told me cervix was 'slammed shut'. I went into labour 8 hours later - it can happen!

Good luck!