Sweep tomorrow!

[gevey]

Hiya :)

I have my first sweep tomorrow at 40 weeks... and to be honest I'm really anxious for it!

Not sure if it's that this could be it and labour could start,

If it's I feel uncomfortable opening my legs (I haven't had too yet this pregnancy 😂) which I know is silly but hey ho..

Just any positive experiences / tips..
Also what do they actually do?

Thanks :) xxx

It's very quick and nothing major. Some women find it a bit uncomfortable, personally I found it fine. You set up similar to for a smear test or coil insertion (if you've had either of those)?! Lying on your back, knees bent up with feet together, allowing your knees to drop out to the side. Midwife will use her finger to feel your cervix and if she can, insert a finger to break the membranes just inside the cervix opening. She will do a circular, sweeping type movement to do this. You can't really feel what they are doing in detail. It's all over fairly quickly. It's normal to have a bit of spotting after it. She will be able to tell you if you're already dilated at all, and what position your cervix is in.

No particular tips other than try not to worry about it (easier said than done)! I lost my mucus plug the following day and then went into labour the day after that. Good luck!