What happens after sweep?

[grace1991]

Hello! I'm 38+6 and today I had a sweep. First time mum and all that, and midwife was very helpful but from all the mums out there, what should I be looking out for next? And how soon might things happen?
I have a bit of blood when I wipe, and also very crampy in my legs and lower tummy. No regular tightenings but definitely tightenings!
Any advice on what's to come next etc would be much appreciated xxx

Personally nothing! I had 3 sweeps but ended up being induced at 42 weeks. Everyones different though :) There was a bit of blood after the first one as my mucus plug came out. Hope the little one doesn't keep you waiting too long _

Hi, I had a sweep on my actual due date and was told by the midwife it probably won't work for a couple of days and booked me in for the Monday. I got home and within 2 hours I couldn't sit down or couldn't wee tmi. Everything happened so quick but the next thing I know I'm up hospital been monitored as had a really bad bleed and the next 40 minutes i was holding my little baby. So yes everyone is different xx good luck 👍

I had a sweep with dc4 and 5, around 40 weeks with both and went in to labour within 48 hours with both! Fingers crossed for you

In my experience, sweeps only really start labour if labour is close to starting anyway. Blood and tightening is a good sign labour might start, but not a given. Labour starts because baby starts the process. Where we live they won’t give FTM sweeps in general until about 41 weeks. I had one at 38w with my first though in the day assessment unit, after a few instances of reduced movements. Baby was born 48 hours later, but it wasn’t an easy delivery. I assume because the sweep seems to have caused my waters to break and then the drip was started because of that etc etc

Thankyou everyone ! @Flamingolingo hopefully I go the same way as you. Today I have less blood but still feeling quite crampy in legs and low down so fingers crossed. They gave me the sweep as I was 1-2cm dilated, soft cervix and could feel baby's head so hoping for the best today!

All good signs then. Go and scrub the floor on your hands and knees, helps baby come into position!

i had a sweep in the morning, lost the plug and then waters around midnight, established labour in the morning, baby born few hours later..hoping my sweep will work next week with the second one..good luck...

I've just had my first sweep at 38+1, was 2cm dilated and was stretched to 3cm.... hope we all get our babies soon!!!!!!!

I've just had second sweep and was 2cm dilated and then stretched ! Fingers crossed for us both!!! X

Good luck @grace1991! I'm 39+1 and going for my first sweep at 4pm today. Feeling a bit nervous! I have a feeling I won't be at all dilated though so might not be possible. I'm booked in for induction on due date but hoping sweeps might work before then.

@LucyLucyT don't be nervous irs actually fine! Let us know what they say. I'm also booked in for induction next week but hoping this works now! Hope it's ok x x

My waters broke and it took too long for my DD to arrive, so they did a sweep and it brought on contractions. Things didn't speed up enough so had to get the hormone drip.

Hope all goes well @LucyLucyT..I thought it's next week..can't believe it's actually happening now..it's not pleasant, but it's ok, you will be fine.

Hope it works for you all.

Thanks everyone, will update later!

With my first daughter the first sweep did nothing, after the second sweep I had her 6 hours later! With my second, my waters went at the sweep and I had her 4 hours later! My labours went from 0-60 though, nothing then full on contractions Good luck!

First sweep at 40 weeks - was 1-2cm dilated, had a bit of cramping and start of my bloody show

Second sweep at 40+3 - was 1-2 dilated, had some cramping and more of my bloody show

Third sweep at 40 + 8 - was 1- 2 dilated, minor cramping

Fourth sweep at 40+12 - turned out I was already in labour and baby arrived about 8 hours later!

No amount of sweeping was going to get that child out it seems

Also if you aren't full term why are they doing a sweep?

So just got home. He couldn't do a proper sweep, but just managed to get through the cervix. We'll see what happens over the coming days. May or may not have one on Friday depending on symptoms in the meantime. Got a little bit of cramping but nothing major. No sign of a plug yet.

I'm having an earlier sweep because I'm being induced on my due date as had IVF and locally they don't like you going overdue.

@nervousnellyisnervous as baby is very low and they are worried about his growth and I'm v v v uncomfortable

@nervousnellyisnervous as baby is very low and they are worried about his growth and I'm v v v uncomfortable

I had a sweep with my first, I then had a massive cry because I was insanely emotional and about an hour and a half later I lost my plug in the loo and labour kicked in! Baby was born 18 hours later.

@grace1991 @LucyLucyT exciting! Keep us posted if you can. I'm currently 40+2 have a midwife appointment on Thursday and she's suggested a sweep then. Really don't like the idea of it but might have to grin and bear it.

I had a sweep at 41+3 with my second. Midwife said she couldn't do it properly as my cervix was so tightly closed it was like I wasn't even pregnant! I went into labour that evening and had baby less than 2 hours later. We only just made it to the delivery room

Feel for you OP, the last few weeks are the worst. All the best and hope your little one is with you soon!

Feel for you OP, the last few weeks are the worst. All the best and hope your little one is with you soon!