Honestly is a sweep painful?

[42daystogo]

38 weeks and midwife booked me in for my 40 weeks appointment. She said at 40 weeks they offer a sweep, no pressure either way, said most women go into labour with 48 hours if they get it, others prefer nature to take its course. DS1 was nearly 3 weeks early so no issues last time, i told her her i'd been feeling crampy and she said i might go naturally over the nexg two weeks anyway.

What have been your experiences? I remember with DS1 they examined me when i arrived at the hospital in labour and i was 7cm dilated and if was painful but not sure if thats something to compare it to

Absolutely horrendous, I nearly backed myself off the table it was so painful. Was crying and felt violated. And it did fuck all

I had three (none of which worked sadly!)

First two were uncomfortable like a smear and the third was absolutely excruciating, to be honest I felt assaulted.

I don’t recall feeling anything, but It certainly didn’t kick start labour.

@ChalkDinosaur

I'd say it was a bit more painful than a smear test. Not awful by any means but I did have to kind of breathe through it iykwim!

That exactly describes my experience.

What's the evidenced based research to indicate they work? If the midwife can't produce that, I'd question the potential efficacy. I imagine the midwife who misses the fact the baby is posterior is the same midwife who would do it badly. How can one tell one actually has a competent nd experienced midwife?

Urgh this thread is bringing back horrible memories.

I think approach must vary wildly. My midwife had long nails and there were certainly no gloves or lube used!

Can just feel her fettling around in there now. I feel ill

Mine was excruciating for DD2. After the midwife said "that's a good one, go home and have a hot bath or a hot curry or hot sex and baby will be here by the morning". She was! Was actually very smooth labour sweep was probably most painful part. Btw I went for the curry option

I have low pain threshold and very anxious about any type of examination and I found the experience horrible bur only slightly painful - the pressure they apply is what I really struggled with but it is over quickly. Had gas and air for second pregnancy when having sweep and any internal examinations as I was in the induction ward - it made it all a lot more bearable.

I found it pretty painful. I had maybe 3 with ds1 who didn’t arrive till 12 days late (mind when he was induced they only had to break my waters to kick it all off - I wouldn’t be surprised if an aggressive sweep accomplished that the way they feel but that might show my ignorance of anatomy.) My cervix had apparently been ready for weeks but didn’t do it. Then with dc2 I avoided them as they hadn’t done anything and hurt (I also find smears hurt) but had one at 8 days over. It hurt!! Streaky smears of blood after and labour started an hour or two later. I expect the more aggressive and painful ones are more effective but not sure it would be ideal to recommend that as I’m sure some midwives are better than others and make sure it hurts is not great guidance!