Membrane Sweep

[firsttimemamax]

Hey!

I'm a week overdue with my first baby and potentially going to have a sweep on Wednesday!

Just wondering what other people's experiences were like with this? Did it hurt? Did you go into labour shortly after? I'm quite nervous!

Thank you in advance xx

My labour was more long than anything else. I was due on the Sunday 30th august 2015, I was booked in for a sweep originally on the Wednesday, but I started having contractions on the Tuesday so I decided to see if things would progress naturally. They didn't so I ended up having a sweep at 3pm on the Friday (40+5).
I got to the hospital at 9 that evening, was in the birth centre by 10.30, had my waters broken around 2am, then gave birth at 6.58am the Saturday morning (40+6).
It didn't hurt or feel uncomfortable at all and it did help move things along (the head wasn't fully engaged so things wouldn't have progressed on their own).
If I’m honest I was more physically exhausted after 4 days and nights of contractions. I think if I hadn’t been so tired I would have dealt with it better.
For pain relief I had my tens machine as long as possible, it really helped me. I started using it at home after my sweep, then took it off to go to hospital. I put it back on when I was settled in the birth centre. I also used the birth ball to try to get my waters to break which helped with pain. The birth pool was amazing, I loved being in there and would have stayed in longer and even given birth in there. But the midwife could see I was struggling and needed to rest before I had to deliver. So I had a pethadine injection so I could rest. It really helped.
I tried a bit of gas and air but it gave me a bad headache and made me feel sick so I didn’t want it. And I knew I didn’t want an epidural. I wanted as natural a birth as possible, minimal drugs.
I did tear from involuntary pushing and had stitches after. It wasn’t that bad though.
As I say for me personally it was more how long it went on than the pain. Good luck.

Tbh the midwife who done it said she was surprised that I said it didn't hurt or bother me really, was more like a bit of pressure that's all

With my first I had a sweep on my due date and went into labour the next day.

With my second, I had a sweep at 38+4 (complicated pregnancy) but ended up being induced at 39+1.

It does hurt a bit, but it's nothing compared to the main event! I'd take some paracetamol beforehand.

@firsttimemamax I had a sweep after two days of contractions. This was at 3pm and my waters broke that night It was slightly painful but it was more uncomfortable

I hate those. I had at least two as I was overdue with the first. They didn’t work at all for me but eventually went into spontaneous labour after two weeks 😩

I tried to physically fight off the midwife during my sweep. It was excruciating and even more of a shock after reading on here that it was “no worse than a smear”. So looks like there’s a broad range of experiences! Maybe take a painkiller beforehand, relax, and breathe. Baby will be here before you know it! Good luck

I had a sweep with my first and it wasn’t painful, more a tugging feeling or like an early sexual experience with teenage boyfriend where he thought quantity of fingers and enthusiastic action was pleasing...

My midwife also recommended that to guarantee labour, sex would help. I was massively overdue, sore and pissed off so this was the last thing on my mind but my husband rose to the occasion. Do it. Don’t hang about. Get on with it. And within the hour contractions began.

I think it depends on the midwife doing it and how good the sweep is. Some I barely felt and others were uncomfortable; I wouldn't say painful though as tried to relax. I had five in total but still needed to be induced. Baby born at 42+1. Most of my friends started contracting within 24 hours so it depends how ready for labour your body is. Good luck!!

It's different for everyone I think.
When you're over due, I believe the success rate of going into labour within 48 hours is only 20%

I've had 5 with previous pregnancies, all whilst overdue and none have worked.
I also didn't think any of them were painful. In fact most of them I couldn't really feel and was surprised when they said they were finished

I had two sweeps and went two weeks over due with my first, the 2nd sweep I actually told the midwife to go to town on me, and my god did she.. I went into labour the next day! They're uncomfortable for some women but I'll be honest after carrying a child for 9 months at that point nothing phases you!

Hi! I’m 39+5 and booked in to be induced on Thursday following some reduced movements (all good now). I received a sweep yesterday and I’m not going to lie, it was excruciating for me. It’s not triggered anything as of yet, other than some post mild period pains, but it would be nice if things happened naturally before the induction. But I’m sure it’s different for everyone, my friend said it didn’t bother her at all. Good luck, you got this! X

I had one at 39 weeks before my induction to try and get things going a bit more naturally. I don't think it hurts. I lost my plug that night and when I went for induction was 2cm and they broke waters and I didn't need any hormone drips or anything.

Was second baby though!

I was 40 weeks exactly when I had my sweep. Slight discomfort whilst doing it and I remember walking was uncomfortable after but lost my mucus plug a few hours later then labour that evening. Gave birth 2 days after due date!

I found it fucking agonising! Didn't start anything, then when they were inducing me they did another, agony, pulled out my mucus plug?? Wouldn't let them do it again.
Everyone is different though!

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all your replies! I do appreciate the honesty.

So I just got back from my sweep, unfortunately it couldn't be done as my cervix is completely closed. So it looks like i'll be having an induction booked in for later this week as we're pushing for time.

Thanks again