To sweep or not to sweep?

[TallulahTaboo]

What's everyone's thoughts and/or experiences with sweeps? I've heard more negative stories than positive ones and I'm struggling to make a decision.

I would prefer to go naturally but the thought of a sweep pushing things along a little quicker is appealing.

I mean if you don’t mind a hand up your vagina it’s not as bad as you would think!

I had two then a very natural quick labour

I had this problem with my ds, I decided to sweep as the pain was becoming too much. I did not have any negative side effects, But one of my friends had a problem with her ds( She had complications meaning she had to have a c section). Hope this helps! :)

I had a sweep, baby was born within 24 hours of sweep. The sweep itself was fine. I would definitely have one again if I was in the same situation.

I've never had one, but if it can help speed things up if I'm overdue, I'd definitely do it. I think when it works it's usually straightforward from then on, much better than an induction I suppose. Never had the latter either, but from what I've read contractions tend to be more painful.

I would really love to avoid an induction so that's why I'm so on the fence. The uncomfortable part doesn't bother me too much - I mean we are about to give birth so it can't be as bad as that - but it's the thought of any complications happening afterwards.

Good to know that most of you have had good experiences and I appreciate your comments.

Looking online is a mind field too. 🙄

If you want to encourage baby along there are lots of other ways of doing it.

I've never had a sweep and tbh wouldn't consider one. You can achieve the same release of prostaglandins by having good sex.

Speak with your midwife about the possible complications after a sweep, and how those are handled? It's best to know all the pros and cons before any procedure

Sweep didn't work, still had to have induction

I had a sweep at 41+4 with ds1, didn't work, went in for induction at 42 weeks.

Was due to 'discuss' one at antenatal appointment with ds2 at 41+3 (was planning to decline, midwives were planning to be very pushy about doing it) but I went into labour instead.

Declined the one offered at 40w with ds3 and laughed at the midwife, who was rude, pushy and narked that anyone would make their own choices, for thinking it was indicated.

I've had two, they both worked but where one was pain free and led to a relatively easy birth the other was horrible and i would say no now

My sweeps didn’t work (apart from the one where I was 5cm anyway) but they are fine for me. Not painful or anything!

Yes I plan on speaking to my MW about all the pros and cons before making an informed decision. She's really lovely so I do feel she will give me the right advice.

I am also of the theory that they will arrive when they arrive! Firm believer of that but definitely intrigued around a sweep.

And I am doing everything walking etc. to encourage a natural labour as that's what I would ideally love! Well, wouldn't we all.

I did find it uncomfortable (my middle birth) and asked my midwife to stop. I did end up having an induction in the end, though. I might have been better with a midwife I had met before in a more comfortable setting.

Thank you for posting this! I've got an appointment Friday and they said they will offer a sweep if I want one. I'm swaying to yes to try and get things going instead of having to go into hospital alone to have an induction then DH comes when labour is established.

I had a sweep with my son, was absolutely fine. Baby born 12 hours later.

I had five and still needed an induction!
Most of my friends were contracting within 24 hours but it depends how ready your body is for birth. I liked having them just to see if I'd dilated and how favourable my cervix was. My mucus plug started coming away after the first but that didn't lead to anything further. One of them I barely felt which I was quite upset about as felt I hadn't been given a decent sweep. I'll be getting them again in this pregnancy if I go overdue.

I wouldnt really call a sweep an intervention of sort, if you had a sweep and ended up going into labour I would still say you went naturally. I had 2 sweeps and honestly they were awful lol and didnt work. My 2nd sweep was day before due date and I ended up going 5 days over. But will i go for one this time round? Yes cause you never know and like you I dont want to be induced.

I had 3 sweeps with my first and nothing bloody happened!!! Ended up being induced at 41+5 and he came out by emergency c section the following day. Safe to say the sweep did absolutely nothing to get him out. I had had enough by then so was willing to try anything

Had a sweep and they accidentally broke my waters which ended up in me having to be induced because I didn’t then go into labour naturally and there is a risk of infection once waters have been gone for a certain time. It was a nightmare! I would never do it again.

I had two which were unpleasant and didn't work. Don't think I would have one again would just be induced if necessary and have an epidural

I'm pregnant with DC2 at the moment and personally will be declining sweeps... I had 4 in an increasingly-desperate attempt to avoid induction with DS and still went to 42+1 needing induction 🤦🏻‍♀️ The sweeps did nothing for me (all done by different midwives) apart from get increasingly uncomfortable each time and making me feel more disappointed when nothing progressed. Not worth it for me!