Advice on sweep

[Seriously79]

Ladies could you help please - I'm booked for a stretch and sweep tomorrow. I will be 38 + 4.

I've heard so many reviews, I was initially booked in by my consultant as this is allegedly a big baby - 10lbs + and I have an induction booked for Saturday.

My regular midwife has said there is no point going, as it's not gonna work unless I'm already in labour which at the moment I'm not.

My only concern is that I'm so uncomfortable down below at the moment, loads of pressure, I'm really not sure that I could lie there and let them do it to me.

Friends have said it's like having a bad smear - well I'm not good with them at the best of times, do they open you up with one of those plastic things? Or is it just fingers that they put in?

I'd like to hear your stories and experiences please x

Don't have it!

I had been having contractions for about 12 hours when I had mine, I still think it was a waste of time and just adding another uncomfortable examination, it did bring on my 'show' but as I said I had been contracting for hours at that stage anyway.

They just put their fingers in, but it is way worse then a smear and they have to be pretty vigourous!

At 38 weeks, it will do nothing! I don't know anyone who's labour was started as a result of a s&s, and thats based on people having them at 40weeks.

I would avoid, and I would avoid induction if you can - a big baby doesn't guarantee a hard birth, but induction almost definitely does - the pessary won't work at 38weeks and you'll be on the drip after 12 hours, which is awful - 100 times worse then natural labour, with much higher risk of something going wrong.

Unless your baby is engaged there's a
Chance of prolapse cord - My obs consultant told me that there's a very short window where they may work, any you've got to be well underway anyway ... personally I'd see the consultant but query - plus ask for another scan as these scans to tell how large a baby is are (or used to be) very inaccurate

I wouldn’t bother either. I had one in my first pregnancy at 41weeks. I found it really painful, way worse than a smear which i find to be generally just a bit uncomfortable. Still didn’t go into labour for another 3 days which in all likelihood I would have done anyway. Currently 35 weeks with #2 and I won’t be having one this time.

Jesus, talk about instilling fear into the OP.

I have had a sweep in a previous pregnancy and did not find it horrendous at all! And she was thorough. The way i see it, if there's a minute chance that you can naturally bring on labour without being hooked up to a drip then it's wise to take it. That being said, I have no previous experience with induction but the horrifying story up above does no one any good! Please try not to panic on the basis of other people's experiences, your mindset and ability to remain calm is absolutely paramount in labour.

Had several, didn't hurt but didn't bring on labour x

I started having contractions on the Tuesday afternoon, at 40+2, I was booked in for a sweep on the Wednesday, so 40+3, I declined it as I wanted to see if labour would progress naturally. It didn't because the head wasn't fully engaged, so I had one at 3pm on the Friday, at 40+5.
For me it honestly didn't hurt at all, of course there was some pressure when she performed it, but it wasn't painful. I was relaxed and it really didn't bother me at all. Even the midwife was surprised at how relaxed I was. After I didn't have any pain, obviously except for the contractions which I was having anyway. But the sweep itself didn't bother me or cause any additional discomfort.
The contractions got more frequent and I went to the hospital at 9pm on the Friday night. I was in the birth centre by half 10 latest, had my waters broken at 2am and gave birth at 6.58am on the Saturday.
I wouldn't have one so early though, certainly not if you're not having contractions.

I am personally against sweeps in theory. They do carry risks of rupturing membranes then you are on a 48 hour count down to get baby out.

You can always request an examination of your cervix and based on what they find decide if you want a sweep. Google bishop’s score.

I had several sweeps in my last pregnancy. Had 5 in 4 days - was already dilated 2cm at 40+12 had no pain. Each time I dilated 1cm with no contractions felt.
Sweeps imo are much less painful and far quicker than a smear. Would rather have a sweep every few years than a smear.

If you decide to go for a smear - do your research and try not to listen to too much scaremongering. Much worse in your head than actual. Good luck!

This may sound like a silly question but are you allowed to refuse a sweep and are there othet methods?

Leleophants you are always allowed to say no to someone putting their hand in your vagina. Your medical team team should be asking for your informed consent for every medical procedure they do. They should be saying ‘Just hop on the bed and we’ll examine you’ but they do say things like this. If you are unsure if you want a particular medical treat then use the BRAIN (google it).

You can decline anything they offer. Remember they are offering medical treatment and you make the decision about what is best for you. Declining something now does not stop you having it later.

The vast majority of women will go into labour without any sweeps or other interventions. Most European countries don’t offer sweeps because they think they are counter productive. The best thing to encourage labour is keeping stress levels low and oxytocin high and just waiting until your baby is ready.

Thanks all, I appreciate you all taking time to reply.

I've cancelled the appointment and the midwife I spoke to was lovely. I explained that I was too uncomfortable and she was fine about it.

She did say to relax as much as possible and get the oxytocin flowing! I've also had acupuncture today and have been getting some new sensations that have been shall we say interesting 🤔 watch this space x

Are you being induced on Saturday because they think you're having a big baby? X

@thinkingcapon - yes. I already have a son who was 10lbs when he was born, and they believe that this one has the potential to be bigger.

I know the scans aren't always right, but along with measuring bigger too - I was measuring 44cm at 36 weeks, I just feel safer and in more control being taken in a week earlier. I will be 39 weeks on Saturday.

I've done my research and I know the potential risks/ problems that can occur with inductions, but i just feel for me it's going to be the best option.

No need to justify your decision with me lovely, hope all goes well x

I was in exactly the same boat........but stood my ground and waited until the bitter end! X

I had one and it was fine, didn't hurt and I went into labour that night. Hope all goes well whatever you decide to do.

Seriously79 I would really be interested in a update of how it goes. I have been offered an induction at 39 weeks but it vbac so they can only do so much.

I will keep you all posted x

Update: so, my waters went on Wednesday night about 12.50 - all was calm. About 3ish the following morning my contractions started and at 6 I had to call the hospital, and we got in for 7am ish.

Had all the normal checks, went on to a monitor and was told straight away, baby wasn't happy, each time I had a contraction the heart beat would dip, also upon examination I hadn't even started to dilate which I will never understand as I was contracting regularly. They monitored me for a while, and the safest thing to do was delivery by c section, and that what they did.

Obviously I wasn't expecting this, but I have to say it was such a positive experience, everyone in theatre introduced themselves, and what they would be doing. I didn't realise that they had started anything, so when they dropped the screen and our daughter was there looking at us, we both completely melted and burst into tears! It turns out that her cord was wrapped around her neck, hence the dip in the heart beat each time I contracted.

The only downside so far, is that I'm in a lot of pain, especially where my incision is, and Im finding I need to do a really big fart, but as yet it's not coming. Regular pain relief is the way forward.

Good luck to you all x

Congratulations
Although not what you planned, it seems like a positive story!
Re the fart could you have some peppermint tea? Helps with gas apparently

Congrats! So glad allwell......was she a 10lber plus as expected ?!

Yes, I've been trying peppermint tea.

She was 8lbs 13oz - although I'm
Not sure where she is hiding that weight, she is tiny!

I had sweep but I was already 3cm dilated at this point. Had my sweep at 1pm baby was here by 11pm. They just use their fingers but have to be quite vigorous. It's not painful, more uncomfortable. I dont think a sweep works unless you're body is ready.

Congratulations