Tell me your sweep stories?!

[cottoncandyflossy]

Hi!
I am likely to be offered a sweep this week, never had one before.
What are your stories? Did it work? Are they worth it or do you think it could just be coincidence?

Definitely worked for me! Had sweep for baby no. 2 at 39+1 (due to family circumstances). I told the MW not to worry about being gentle and she gave it a good go. Went into labour that same evening, baby born at 7am! How many weeks are you?

I was 6 days overdue with first baby and I asked the midwife to just see what my cervix was like. I didn’t want to have a sweep of my body wasn’t ready but was happy to if things looked favourable.

I was already 1cm dilated and cervix in a good position so she was able to perform the sweep really easily, it wasn’t uncomfortable and it didn’t hurt. Contractions started that night and DS was born 24 hours after that.

I think it may have brought labour forwards by a day or two but my body we already gearing up to go.

Definitely worked for me. I had one with DS1 wasn't really prepared for how quick it worked 4 hours later I was in labour. Had one for DS2 you would think I had learned my lesson but again about 4 hours later in labour and running around trying to find childcare for DS1!

Two sweeps with dd1, didn’t do anything and she gave it a good fettle. Still went 11 days over.

Had 1 good sweep with dd2 to make me more favourable for my induction at 39 weeks in a few days time, lost my mucus plug the next day and waters went 2 days later and she was born 4 days after my sweep.

My Sweep

Midwife attempted a sweep at 40+4 with DC1, cervix was still closed and she was unable to do anything. When asking if I wanted one she told me "I have short stubby fingers so I'm not great at sweeps, but if you really want I'll have a go".

Heard of lots of people going into labour shortly after a sweep, I guess it depends how ready your body is at the time.

Had one at 37+5. Went into labour 2 days later. Cervix was 2cm dilated when the sweep was done and I was already having mild contractions.

Had one at five days over, went into labour 20 hours later. Not sure if it was the sweep or not.

Sweep at 3:00 pm, in labour by 6:30pm, full night's sleep, baby born at 13.15pm the next day.

I had two and they didn't bring on labour.

I had one on the morning of my due date for DC2. I went into labour the following evening, DC2 finally came along the evening after that. Midwife wasn’t sure if it was down to the sweep or not

I had five prior to dc1 but still ended up being induced and he was born at 42+1 so it really depends if your body is ready for labour.
I will still be opting for sweeps when I hit 40 weeks in this pregnancy although I'm under no illusions that if my body isn't ready, they won't do anything.

I had one and left the doctors office knowing my body was ready. It definitely put the wheels in motion!

I had one on my due date, consultant said I was 1 cm dilated. Told me to book in for an induction at either 41 + 5,6 or 7 "but you shouldn't really need to because after that sweep, and seeing as you are already on your way, we will probably see you later tonight'.

I ran round M&S foodhall, thinking I would go in to labour any minute 😀. I ended up being induced at 41 +5.......

It, erm, stung a bit......

Had one with 2nd ds I was 2cm from 36+4 weeks had a sweep at 39 weeks could stretch me to 4cm. Wasn't painful had blood show straight after. I didn't think it had done anything as no signs of labour until my waters broke the following evening. Baby born 2.5hr later

Sweep with DS1 at 41+1 and went into labour 36 hours later. The midwife said I was 2cm dilated and 50% effaced though so I think I was already on my way. My problem was that the baby was in a bad position to put pressure on the cervix (posterior) so I think what really did the trick was spending those 36 hours on hands and knees to encourage turning. The sweep was not painful or even especially uncomfortable beyond pressure (and having someone's whole hand in my vag).

Multiple sweeps with DS2. I was due to be induced at term because of prenatal hypertension but my midwife gave it the good old college try and I had maybe 5 energetic sweeps in the run up to my induction. None were painful. My cervix remained tightly closed and the induction went ahead as planned. It took 4 days to induce the baby out of me through every means going so I think my body really wasn't ready.

I had one, tbh it was really painful and I cried. Male consultant had big hands and that did not help to make it more comfortable…it also did not work at all, eventually was induced to get things going.

I'm glad of this thread! I've got my first sweep tomorrow at 37 weeks, so I'm a bit nervous that my cervix won't be favourable and it'll either fail or be very painful! I'll update tomorrow how it goes!

Eeeek I'm glad I have found this thread. I have a sweep booked with my midwife next Wednesday. I will be 40+1 and this has just made really excited that she could be here this time next week! So ready for her to arrive

@Mseddy

I'm glad of this thread! I've got my first sweep tomorrow at 37 weeks, so I'm a bit nervous that my cervix won't be favourable and it'll either fail or be very painful! I'll update tomorrow how it goes!

How did it go??

Had two sweeps, one at 40 weeks and one at 41 weeks. Cervix was still back with the first (and it felt uncomfortable to the point of pain, did not like!) and I was 1cm with the second, but I knew what was going to happen so it just felt weird/uncomfortable. Days went by and I still hadn't gone into labour! Was due to be induced at 42 weeks but had my DD the day before.
I will probably still have a sweep if i'm overdue with my currant pregnancy, because I mean...it cant hurt right? I can always hope it works haha.

I had 2 sweeps, one at 40+1 which put me in slow labour, was 2cm dilated. Had the second one at 40+5 and my waters broke all over over my midwife's hand. Contractions started 12 hours later and DD was born less than 24 hours after my sweep!