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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Anyone had a sweep that worked?

43 replies

LayingLow · 26/05/2021 12:15

Iv got my first sweep tomorrow at 40+5, this is my 4th baby and iv never had a sweep before? Do they work? Are they worth having?

OP posts:
tittletattoo · 26/05/2021 12:28

Yes my sweep worked, 40weeks, went into labour 36 hours after I had it

FTEngineerM · 26/05/2021 12:29

No, no, ewwww no.
I had one whilst in labour and it was the most vile thing I’ve ever felt. Plus it did absolutely nothing.

LeafBeetle · 26/05/2021 12:30

I went into labour less than 24 hours after mine, so I guess it worked although of course that might have happened anyway. Good luck OP!

LaMadrilena · 26/05/2021 12:34

I had one on Monday morning (was 40+1) and she couldn't even complete it. I had some cramps afterwards that got my hopes up, but still here today bouncing on the f*ING pilates ball.

Val2021 · 26/05/2021 13:11

Sorry to jump on this thread but considering getting one tomorrow - can anyone let me know exactly what happens and exactly how it feels? Confused

FTEngineerM · 26/05/2021 13:20

@Val2021 they check the location and ‘favourableness’ of your cervix which means seeing if they can shove fingers in it. Then they take their middle finger and run it around the edge of your cervix really roughly to try and dislodge the sac, release some hormones and get things moving.

So in short someone will be wrist deep in your vagina with their middle finger in your cervix going round in circles for a few seconds.

LaMadrilena · 26/05/2021 13:23

@Val2021 They say it's "uncomfortable." I found it downright painful I'm afraid, and they had to stop. But that may be because I wasn't even slightly dilated, it may be less so if you're a bit further on.

Val2021 · 26/05/2021 13:24

@FTEngineerM @LaMadrilena thanks both! Sounds like a right barrel of laughs.... Maybe I’ll sit tight for now Grin

otterbaby · 26/05/2021 13:26

It's frigging horrible. It made me feel sick to my stomach.

However I had one done at 3am and my contractions really ramped up later that morning and I had my baby less than 24 hours later.

mrscatmad31 · 26/05/2021 13:27

Yes had a sweep both times and had a baby a few hours later, second time the midwife broke my waters when she did it, 4 hours later I had a baby :-)

LaMadrilena · 26/05/2021 13:27

Sorry! It's frustrating when you feel like you should be trying everything to hurry things up.

HaNNaHC92 · 26/05/2021 13:32

Yes! On my first two children, I had one on each of them and they were both born the day after (less than 24hrs after) . I've just had my 3rd baby 12 days ago. I had 2 sweeps on him, successful sweeps but sweeps which didn't lead to anything. I ended up being induced at 41w 6d and he was born the same evening.

THATbasicSNOWFLAKE · 26/05/2021 13:47

I had two and both worked
One was pain free the other was awful

Currently 34 weeks and praying i dont have to decide if i have another as i just cant decide

Val2021 · 26/05/2021 15:16

Good luck! @LaMadrilena hopefully won’t be too much longer for you Smile

Original poster
LayingLow · 26/05/2021 15:18

I'm really hoping the sweep tomorrow works then! I'm planning a home birth iv blown the pool up ready and everything 😔 really don't want to be induced!!

OP posts:
ER20 · 26/05/2021 15:26

I’ve had 2, one last week at 38 weeks and one Monday at 39+1 weeks neither have worked but I found it okay, uncomfortable really is all I’d say.

Hope yours work. Smile

Nat4392 · 26/05/2021 16:48

I had one on Monday and it did bugger all for me. I found it quite painful as my cervix was still posterior so she had to pull it forward first 🤢 i also bled quite a bit after it so I then had to be monitored. I’m now booked in for an induction tomorrow. Although it wasn’t successful nor a pleasant experience, I would still try it again in the future.

Ribeebie · 26/05/2021 16:55

Mine worked. Had at 40+2 in the afternoon. Regular contractions started early the next morning. Wasnt painful, just a bit uncomfortable. I'd definitely have one again if needed.

MeadowHay · 26/05/2021 16:59

I had one at 39+6 when I had already been in early labour with painful contractions for about 6hrs and was already 2cm dilated. Dunno if it sped anything up, I didn't make it to 4cm until about another 12 or so hours later and my labour was about 30hrs in total including 2hrs of pushing til we all gave up and the ventouse came out. But who knows if I'd have been stuck in latent labour for days and days without it! It's impossible to know. It did hurt like hell but was very quick and I didn't have any pain afterwards.

HotPotatoHotPotato21 · 26/05/2021 19:03

I had five in total and baby was born 42+1. They only really work if your body is ready to go into labour. I'm currently 24 weeks and will be having as many as I'm offered in this pregnancy as it was good to know how favourable my cervix was. They were fine pain wise but a little uncomfortable, in fact I was sad on the one I barely felt as knew the midwife hadn't given me a good sweep! I did however start to lose my mucus plug after my first, confirmed by the midwife at the next sweep.

MyBabyBoyBlue · 26/05/2021 19:16

Yes, a sweep at 39+4 and went into labour 24 hours later. Unfortunately, labour didn't progress past 3cm so I ended up on the dreaded induction drip anyway Confused

Sunshine1235 · 26/05/2021 19:20

I had one at 40+5 and nothing happened, had another one at 40+11 and she came the next day. so don’t be disheartened if this one doesn’t work you can always have another one

Girlmama3 · 26/05/2021 19:21

I had 3 with dd3. I had pains after each one but still went 16 days over and ended having the drip.

Maybe try one and see how you get on? Mine weren’t painful or uncomfortable at all. It’s different for everyone so it might work 🤞🏻

ElaborateSalad · 26/05/2021 19:34

With my first, I had one on my due date and went into labour the next day. Could be a coincidence though.

WirKindervomBahnhofZoo · 26/05/2021 19:39

Yep worked on me!