Stretch and sweep - pros and cons

[CluelessMummyToBe]

I have a midwife appointment this morning and have been offered a stretch and sweep but am still in two minds. I’m 40+1. I’m generally happy to be patient so wouldn’t have it just to speed things up, but really don’t want to get to 42 weeks and have to be induced. Thoughts? Would be good to know any particular downsides/risks of a S&S that I might not be aware of, as well as whether you have had one and found it to actually be effective. Thanks!

I had 3 s&s with dc1 none of which made the slightest bit of difference and were just very uncomfortable! I've heard they only help if your cervix is favourable anyway so I guess she'll be able to tell you when she has a feel about!

Cons - it can accidentally break your waters putting you on a 48 count down clock to get baby out by so they don’t get an infection.

• no evidence it will start/speed up labour.

Pro

• if your cervix’s are ready and you are going to go into labour in the next few days then it may prompt labour to start.

I had 5 in total for DD and they just got more and more uncomfortable to the point where I cried in pain on the 5th one. None of them worked and I was induced the day following the 5th but I am quite sure that DD just wasn't ready to come yet (I was 38+4 when I had the first one and 40 weeks exactly when I was induced). I havent heard lots of people say they helped, but there's no harm in giving it a go.

Con

• you need lots of oxytocin to start labour. Sweeps can increase your adrenaline which inhibits production of oxytocin.

Con - it's uncomfortable as sin!

Thanks ladies. Had an examination and was 2cm dilated and baby 3/5th engaged. Decided to go for the S&S, it was a bit uncomfortable but very quick so fine. The midwife seemed very optimistic as things are progressing anyway but I guess I’ll just need to wait and see! :)

@CluelessMummyToBe how exciting if you're already 2cm (I was only 3cm 8 hours before LO was born!).

I hope everything goes well! X

Cons for me; uncomfortable and did nothing to induce labour

I had one at 40+5, was offered it at 40+3 but I was having contractions so I decided to see if things would progress naturally. They didn't so I had it. It didn't hurt at all, wasn't even uncomfortable during or after (except the contractions obviously, which did start getting stronger after I'd had it). Even the midwife was surprised how relaxed I was having it done. It helped labour along, so I'm glad I had it. I know most people say it hurt but I wasn't bothered at all by it