Sweep!

[Alexandrababy1]

Hi Ladies,

Hope you’re all okay, I’m booked in for a sweep in two weeks time, I’m currently 38+2 and I really don’t want to be induced (if I can help it).
I’ve heard it can be a bit uncomfortable, which I’m not worried about but I just wanted to hear other people’s experiences if they didn’t mind sharing and whether or not it worked?
Thank you xx

I had one at 40 weeks and one at 41 weeks, neither worked and I was induced (due to other reasons) at 41+2.
It was more uncomfortable than painful for me, someone is basically ramming their finger round your cervix. I think if you go into labour after a
Sweep, you probably would have gone into labour anyway.
I’m pregnant with my second now and I wouldn’t bother with sweeps this time.

I had one at 40 weeks exactly as I was trying to avoid a Xmas baby. It was uncomfortable but I just lay back and read the Mail Online. She was so thorough she confirmed the baby had hair. Anyway, went into labour that night and kid was born three days later. Works for some, doesn’t for others. Worth a shot though

Hey OP

Is there some medical reason why your midwife would suggest induction to you?

If not, I would suggest reading up on induction, Dr Sara Wickham has a good website. Most important of all, you don't need to be induced at all, it is always up to you.

Also, side note, a sweep is a form of induction.

Hi both,

Thanks for the responses! I guess it’s different for everyone, I really hope mine works as I’m so ready to not be pregnant anymore haha and I want to avoid being induced if possible as everyone I’ve spoken to has had bad experiences and scared me! xx

@RaeRaeMama
Hey!
Thanks for the response. They were going to induce me last week because they thought I had pre eclampsia but luckily it was a false alarm. They also offered it as the baby was a little on the smaller side and as I’d never had a growth scan before they didn’t know if she’d stopped growing or not, they offered me induction but said it wasn’t dangerous if I wanted to wait until my due date! So I’m going to wait but I think once I get to my due date if the baby hasn’t grown they’ll deffo want to induce me xx

I've had 4 babies do far (also 38+2) and sweeps with all so far.

Babies 1 and 3 we're induce at 42wks following 2 sweeps each. Did nothing.

Baby 4 only had one sweep as he was induced at 40wks due to size. Again nothing.

Did lose plug with 3 and 4 but no contractions.

Dd2 however I had a sweep at 40+9 (I'd had an unsuccessful one the previous week at 41wks) and the MW thought labour was imminent. My contractions started a few hours later and she was the following morning.

I definitely lots plug after 2,3 and 4 but can't remember with my first. Anyway it's likely that the one it "worked" for would have happened anyway.

I'm expecting again, and yeah absolutely would have another sweep. I don't find them particularly uncomfortable, but given my previous pregnancies it's likely I'll be inducedat 41wks due to my age.

@BurningBenches
Thank you for your response! Love hearing everyone’s birth experiences, good luck with your next one!
I’m so excited but also verrrrry nervous xx

I had one at 40+0 with my last baby and when it was done I was only 0.5cm open and high/hard.

Had another 2 days later (went to hospital as was bleeding red blood - a sign of labour for me) and I was 3cm, low and soft. Had baby 5 hours later.

@xprincessxjanetx
Oooo that sounds good, hope mine works! At least they’ll be able to tell me if I’m at all dilated xx

i had a sweep at 39 weeks, i was just offered it at my routine midwife appointment. went into labour about 36hours later.

@fassnk wow that sounds perfect! Hope that happens to me haha xx

Had 2 sweeps, at 40w3 and 40w5.

First i was 1 to 2 cm dilated and 2nd i was 2 to 3cm. They were a little uncomfortable but very quick and could talk through them. It was like a deep vaginal exam with a period pain.
I made sure i was as relaxed as possible though using breathing.

Waters broke 41w1 and gave birth in the early hours at 41w2.

Good luck!

I had 2 sweeps, one at 40+1 and one at 40+5, first one put me in slow labour and I was 2cm, second one, my waters were bulging and broke all over my midwife during my sweep and I was 3cm, went in to labour the early hours of the following morning thankfully otherwise it would have meant inducing me

@Helloitsmi @CustardGoodJamGoodMeatGood

Hi both, thank you for sharing! It seems like the first one doesn’t do a lot but the second one does. I’ll be 39+5 when I have my first one, so I’m not hoping for much the first time xx

There's a 50/50 chance really, you might be in luck and it could work first time, I know of people that have had 3 and none of them have worked. Hopefully you're one of the lucky ones🤞 they are uncomfortable but they're manageable, and at that point you're willing to try anything to get baby out!

There is not a lot of evidence either way. Someone has a sweep and goes into labour within the next 2 days, sounds great, but they must be at least 39 weeks pregnant so highly likely to go into labour in the next few days anyway.

I chose not to have sweeps as it is a form of induction and I would prefer to avoid the discomfort and go into labour naturally

I had a sweep with my second at 40+4 and went into labour that day and baby was born the following afternoon.

Had an induction with my first and didn't think it was too bad. Inductions do not have to be awful

Sweep at 38 weeks - cervix closed, unsuccessful, 4/5 engaged, posterior. Just uncomfortable.

Sweep at 39+1 - cervix medium, 1cm dilated, 3/5 engaged, cervix posterior. Painful, midwife said she was tilting my cervix.

Sweep at 39+5 - cervix soft, 1cm & 3/5 engaged but still posterior. Just uncomfortable.

Got another sweep this afternoon at 40+2. Xx

I had a sweep with my first at 40+2. Went into labour that night and DD didn't arrive until 5 days later. I am convinced the sweep made my labour long and drawn out as she wasn't ready. Obviously no evidence for this but I won't be having one this time round unless it's medically advised.

@CustardGoodJamGoodMeatGood @ChocOrange1 @mimofboy2 @ER20 @blakeway45

Thank you all so much for your replies! I’m looking forward to mine now haha, although not expecting too much from the first one, think I’ll get a second one booked in for a couple of days later!
Wishing you guys luck that are pregnant!xxx