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

Original poster

Sweep

8 replies

0Scapes · 04/02/2022 12:02

I’m currently 38+2 and I have my 40 week appointment booked in with the midwife. She mentioned the possibility of having a sweep then but said I don’t have to decide until on the day. I was just wondering if anyone knows if a sweep can cause a more painful labour? I’ve read that labour following induction can be more painful, and I’m just not sure if a sweep is included in that too??

OP posts:
Thatsplentyjack · 04/02/2022 12:05

I dint know about more painful but It definitely made mine last longer. I was 36 hours with my first. Started getting cramping in the car park after the appointment. I refused a sweep with my second and third. Second was 5 hour labout start to finish, third was around 8 but that's because she got stuck.

Sexnotgender · 04/02/2022 12:05

Not necessarily more painful but can cause early contractions that leave you knackered as your body isn’t ready.

Personally I’d leave well enough alone and not interfere until your body is ready.

I’m pretty anti sweep unless it’s a last ditch pre induction intervention.

grey12 · 04/02/2022 12:08

Sweep has nothing to do with how labour goes.

Personally I don't recommend. It's very painful and if it really worked all my kids wouldn't have been born at nearly 42 weeks 🤷🏻‍♀️ I was coerced into having several for each, always hoping it would work Sad it really doesn't............

My recommendation is pick a date that you are comfortable with (40, 41 or 42 weeks) and just hold out until then to have induction. You can read more in the meantime about the different methods of induction Wink for me pessary was really bad and breaking waters was better but honestly I think it just depends how close you are to natural birth. I know, not helpful...... I never tried the balloon, I wanted but it wasn't indicated for me

Best of luck SmileThanks

babyboybluewithnumbertwox · 04/02/2022 12:26

Had a sweep with my first, won't be getting one with my second x

wifeyxx · 04/02/2022 12:34

had a sweep with my first at 38 weeks (was already 3cm dilated) Didn't do much and didn't find it painful. Just a little uncomfortable! Bled a little and had some cramps. I got induced a week later. They did a sweep again when I got to hospital but again didn't do anything

Tina8800 · 04/02/2022 15:08

I had mine at 39+4. It was very painful (they say earlier you have it worst the pain is) and did nothing. My baby born at 41 weeks (I had to be induced)
It definitely wont cause more painful labour, but I wont do it again. Either would wait for natural birth or be induced again.

Mimba1 · 04/02/2022 17:36

Sweep was very painful and neither of them did anything. Don't think it affects labour though. No evidence behind it either. No idea why i said yes! (OK - I was desperate to get the baby out and would've drunk iced tea hanging upside down in the woods if I thought it might speed things up!)

Original poster
0Scapes · 04/02/2022 23:31

Thanks for all of your responses! I think as I’ll only be 40+1 by then I’ll probably give it a miss at that appointment and see how I go. Hopefully she’ll make an appearance before then but as this is my first I’m not overly confident that’ll happen!

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