VBAC - When do they offer stretch and sweep?

[Crumbsinthecarpet]

I'm 26 weeks going for a VBAC in September, and wondered about getting a membrane sweep, went into labour 39+4 with son so never had one, so a few questions.
Would you recommend one?
Scale one to ten, how painful are they?
Do they work?
How early can you have them?
I don't want to go way over as I don't want to have a chemically induced labour, and I'm trying hypnobirthing this time to hopefully stop myself panicking like last time haha

I was all for a sweep (anything to get this baby out) up until recently! I have been reading The Positive Birth Book & she talks about how a sweep actually stopped her labour. She explains that the cervix is a sphincter muscle & they are designed to close up. Due to this I have decided I’d rather try other ways to induce labour. I honestly recommend the book as it’s opened my eyes to so many options & choices I didn’t know was available to me (FTM). She suggests essential oils - clary sage being one, although not to be used too early as it has been very effective in inducing labour.

My DC2 was a VBAC. I was given 4 sweeps from 38 weeks. (I had gone term +16 with DC1and had a terrible induction ending in EMCS)
They were more uncomfortable than painful.
The forth was done at term+4 by a consultant with (in the words of DH) had hands like shovels. Afew hours later I lost my plug and my waters broke not long after that and DC2 was a successful VBAC.
I would have a sweep again to avoid induction which is far worse than a sweep in my experience.
I have had 2 inductions now. The second, DC3 did end in successful VBAC though.

Before DC2, I spent 2 weeks bathing in clary sage oils too - not convinced that made any difference but it was very relaxing!

Best of luck. X

@Newmama29 might have to order a copy of that book!!
@Grumpy19 so definitely worth waiting for post due date for the sweep if I do go for it?

I was induced at 39 weeks due to GD. when they checked me I was 2cm dialated so the midwife did a stretch and sweep along with the pessary. Dd was born 3 hours later.

The sweep it’s self didn’t really hurt I mean it felt uncomfortable but it wasn’t the worst part about giving birth. I did mine with no pain relief cause it was all so quick