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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

What happens during a "sweep"?

17 replies

Gemy · 21/12/2007 21:25

Hi there, I am due on 27th and have a midwife's appt on Monday. At my last appointmentshe mentioned they'd be attempting a "sweep".

Has anyone had this too? What does it involve? Does it hurt? Any information greatly appreciated!

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galaxymummy · 21/12/2007 21:38

nothing to do with sooty gosh that dates me
it is when the dear m/w tries to tickle your tonsils through the cervix it is uncomfortable and can lead to bleeding however it can stimulate hormones and avoid induction
personally I would prefer lots of sex and curry

lulumama · 21/12/2007 21:53

IMO, and IME, there is not a lot to be said for having a sweep before 41 weeks or so

the MW will put a fingertip inside your cervix and sweep around, to seperate the membranes from the cervix

this can potentially cause hormones to be released that trigger labour

if it is going to work, it will work within 24 - 48 hours

it will give the MW a chance to assess how ripe your cervix is, which can indicate whetehr labour might be imminent

it can be uncomfortable and even a little painful and oyu might have a show and some spotting afterwards

sex and nipple stim can help get things going too , as galazymummy has said

lulumama · 21/12/2007 21:54

you don;t have to have one, by the way

TheBlonde · 21/12/2007 21:56

some people find them painless some people don't
for me it was more like a strong brutal jabbing of the finger
it did not hasten my labour

madamez · 21/12/2007 21:57

It's fingers up the fanjo. You might do just as well with getting your DP (if you have one) or any other good friend to give you a tickle round the woowoo. Actually orgasm is apparently supposed to be a good way of triggering labour. Good luck, anyway. Hang on, if you are not due till 27th there is no need for a sweep (unless you have some problems with the pregnancy) - tell 'em to keep their mitts out and you will probably feel the first pains just as your Xmas dinner is dished up

FestiveAndFirsty · 21/12/2007 21:58

Not sure of the exact technical definition but I think the ideal 'sweep' involves the midwife inserting her finger through the dilated cervix and clearing membranes at the bottom of the womb with a circular motion which releases prostaglandins which stimulate labour.

If the cervix isn't dilated at all I think they just kind of prod around at the cervix which may or may not have a stimulating effect.

I had four sweeps myself, none of which worked, and was eventually induced.

I was 14 days overdue when induced and can in general recommend going for the sweeps even though they didn't work - they give you hope to cling to and something to do in those mind-bendingly boring yet tense days of being overdue. I found it mildly uncomfortable but bearable, I've heard it can be a bit painful, maybe it depends what stage you're at. I guess it must also work sometimes, or they wouldn't bother! Good luck, whatever happens it won't be long now

Ledodgy · 21/12/2007 21:59

Whya are they sweeping you before your due date? Are they trying to get you out of the way before Christmas?

Snaf · 21/12/2007 23:42

My thoughts exactly, ledodgy - is there some reason why they are 'suggesting' a sweep before your due date?

I'd want a darn good explanation from my mw as to why she feels the necessity for an invasive and uncomfortable procedure that ahs very little likelihood of working at this stage, tbh...

Original poster

Gemy · 22/12/2007 13:55

I was as surprised as you then a sweep was mentioned so early! I have had no problems during pregnancy so it's not that. I can only think that maybe they do want to get it out of the way before Christmas?

But saying that, a friend of mine was given a sweep a few days before her DD too, but the midwife said it was unsuccessful because she couldn't reach the cervix (or something like that)

I am thinking the sex thing sounds alot more fun but we hardly seem to be able to find a comfortable position where we don't end up laughing!!

With it being christmas day in just a few days, I may not have one - I do not want to give birth or go into labour on christmas day if at all avoidable!!

OP posts:

ticks · 22/12/2007 14:12

I'm due today and the mw said she wouldn't even bother attempting it til next week. She also said they can be a bit grim and if I didn't want one I didn't have to have one but it would be better than being induced. Sorry to hijack but my baby is also OP (back to back?) Any tips on getting it to turn round? My first baby was the same and labour seemed endless...

galaxymummy · 22/12/2007 20:13

scrub floor frquently
think of basket ball hoop and baby head is ball try tilting hoop and see how it enters best ufo
upright ish forward and open
my son was op and labour took ....
could try getting midwife to fiddle in labout their fingers can act as pivot dring contraction but need to be quite dilated
try midwifery uk website for further asdvice
sorry spelling poor again 100 sasage rolls bakedand 1 beer later

LadyOfTheHollyAndTheIvy · 22/12/2007 20:19

I had one with ds2 at 3 days overdue as they thought he was going to weigh in excess of 11Lbs. If the sweep didn't work they were going to induce me at 7 days over to which I was going to object.
As I was already 3 cms dialated, it worked within 24 hours, but it hurt afterwards and made me bleed which was not very nice.

Pickie · 22/12/2007 20:24

had 2 sweeps at 38/39 weeks (large baby) and they hurt a little but nothing happened. DD came out when she was ready!

MrsBumblebee · 22/12/2007 20:58

Don't be surprised if they can't actually do it, particularly as you're not at your due date yet. I went for one at 41 weeks, and my cervix hadn't come forward enough yet, so the MW couldn't reach it. So I just went home again.

Original poster

Gemy · 23/12/2007 17:32

Last night I had very bad BH and some watery brown discharge. Phoned hospital and they said it was probably a "watery show" and to go in if it got bad like soaking a pad. Well today, I have been in alot of pain with these bloody BH but amount of discharge the same. Since my midwife appt is tomorrow for the attempted sweep, I have been thinking that since things seem to be happening naturally so far, to opt out of the sweep (even if they say they can do it)??

Anyone else had this "watery show" and would you still go for the sweep?

OP posts:

Bouncingturtlewithtinsel · 23/12/2007 17:38

I've been booked for a sweep but at 40+7! I have to admit I'm really not keen on the idea, thinking of ringing the MW and say I'd prefer not to have it...

ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 23/12/2007 17:47

I only had a show well into established labour, so I can't advise you there.

If I were in your position I would still go and see the MW and talk to her about what's been happening over the past couple of days and ask her what her thoughts are.

It sounds like things are going in the right direction, so she may just offer an internal to see what (if anything is going on), or may suggest a sweep to get things really going if your cervix is ripe (I had a sweep before my cervix was ripe and it feckin hurt!)

It's really up to, just talk it through with your mw and do what you think is best.

Good luck xx

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