Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

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

Flip

Original poster

Stretch and sweep/ membrane sweep

19 replies

sbananas · 02/03/2022 21:39

Hi!

Could anyone tell me their experiences with s+s? Like what the procedure is, how long the procedure takes and is it painful? Just the ins and outs so I'm prepared and know how some other people found it.

Thank you!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Footballsundays6777 · 02/03/2022 21:45

Hey OP, is it your first birth? I’ve had one stretch and sweep with my 2nd that sent me into labour at 37 weeks that same night ( it was my 2nd).
Essentially the midwife or consultant will insert their fingers into your cervix and basically massage the area slightly…. That’s the gist of it.
I didn’t find it painful- however I’ve had some many internal scans / exams / issues with my cervix that I’ve got it used to it all.
It feels like pressure but only slightly. No pain though!
I bled straight after, which is normal. Then I started having contractions within about 5/6 hours, she was born early the next morning

Footballsundays6777 · 02/03/2022 21:46

Also took about 5 mins tops!

Original poster

sbananas · 02/03/2022 21:48

@Footballsundays6777 yup this is my first! He just doesn't want to come out so I've agreed to have one done to try and avoid having a full blown induction. Thank you for your help xxx

OP posts:

MyloC · 02/03/2022 21:48

The midwife basically sweeps her fingers around your cervix to release a hormone that will start labour, I believe.
It looks less than a minute but for me it was bloody sore. I felt quite sick after it for some reason but that might have been the shock as wasn't expecting it to be so painful.
That being said I would definitely do it again as it work and baby was born less than 24 hours later.
Good luck OP!

MyloC · 02/03/2022 21:49

Took not looks!

Original poster

sbananas · 02/03/2022 21:49

@MyloC it's so nice hearing that it works as I'm doing everything I can to avoid a full induction, I'm such a wimp so I'll definitely take some paracetamol beforehand x

OP posts:

jolota · 02/03/2022 21:54

Following as I have a sweep on Friday.
How far along are you? I'm also desperate to avoid an induction!

Original poster

sbananas · 02/03/2022 21:56

@jolota mine is next Friday! I'm 38 weeks, they wanted to do a full blown induction but I wanted to hold off on that.

OP posts:

23Elfie · 02/03/2022 21:59

Hi Op, for me I had a sweep at 4 days over due, my appointment was at 2:30pm, contractions started around 4pm and DD born at 9:25pm.
I won't like it was painful for me and felt like the midwife had her hand up to my belly button but it took less than a minute and certainly got me going! I'd recommend it 100%, good luck xx

MysteryBandit85 · 02/03/2022 22:00

With my first they attempted it twice as my baby was very late but I was told they couldn’t do it as my cervix was too high and closed for the midwife to be able to reach and do it properly! This was at 10 days overdue so I was disappointed! However, I still went into labour the following day and just in time to avoid induction. So it’s worth remembering that your cervix can change quickly and not to get too panicked if you get told what I was told.
With my second my midwife was able to do one when I was 9 days overdue and I went into labour about 9 hours later. It only took a minute and was a little bit painful but not that bad at all. I do wonder if it led to a very fast and intense labour (only 4 hours from the first twinge of contraction to baby being out). I’ve heard there is some research that suggests sweeps can lead to faster and more painful labours. This is why, personally, I didn’t want to have one until I was at the point of facing being induced but I know lots of people do choose to have them earlier. Good luck!

SouthwestSis · 02/03/2022 22:02

Worth trying colostrum harvesting which may help your labour get started naturally and help you avoid induction. Lots of walking too. Good luck OP!

jolota · 02/03/2022 22:02

@sbananas
I will let you know how mine goes then, if it get to it, I am 41 weeks today so still hoping the baby will just come on its own!
When do they want to induce you?
My midwife says they'll book me in for an induction at 42 weeks so I might have time for a second sweep if the first doesn't get things moving.

Original poster

sbananas · 02/03/2022 22:08

@jolota they want to induce at term because I didn't actually know I was pregnant until 23 weeks so they just want to be sure he's not been baking for too long haha

yes please let me know how it goes and best of luck! I hope everything goes smoothly for you!

OP posts:

Pizzaandsushi · 02/03/2022 22:08

I had one last week at 39 weeks. To me it was very similar to a smear, which I guess is quite subjective. Slightly uncomfortable for me but didn’t hurt, so if you’re not great with smears it might be more painful. I was also 1cm dilated already and it’s my first pregnancy.
I had some cramping later that day and lost my mucus plug/ bloody show in the morning but I’m still pregnant! Now 40+1 and got another booked for tomorrow so I’m hoping things have progressed and this one helps start things off.

mummyh2016 · 02/03/2022 22:37

I think it depends who is doing it and how ready your body is regarding how painful/uncomfortable it is. With DD I had 2 sweeps, one to get labour started after my waters went and another one 8 hours later after my contractions had started but I wasn't dilating. They were really painful, I felt like I was being ripped in two. They worked though, DD was born 22 hours after the first sweep.
With DS I had one at 38 weeks, I was a bit anxious but my community midwife had said she would only do it if the head was fixed down which it was. Didn't hurt at all, conditions were favourable though, my waters were bulging, she could feel the head and I was already 3-4cm. Baby arrived 18 hours later.
They don't take any longer than a minute or so to complete.

SunnySideUp2020 · 03/03/2022 09:08

I had 2 done it was 1st pregnancy.
One i was about 1/2cm dilated at 40w and I honestly didn't feel anything...
Had another one a few days later closer to 41w i was 2cm and i felt like a small period cramp... after i was cramping on and off for an hour but nothing major. But I think my midwife was quite gentle overall...
I gave birth at 41w2.

SunnySideUp2020 · 03/03/2022 09:08

And yes it is very quick like 1 minute

ChloeHel · 03/03/2022 18:28

I had one at 39 weeks, I have to be honest it was quite painful! But the pain was only for about 10 seconds. I had quite a bleed after it; which I thought was bloody show, then a week later had another sweep which didn’t hurt at all!! Didn’t really feel anything after either, so did the deed with DH and straight after my mucus plug came out and I started having contractions!

When in doubt…sex haha

jolota · 04/03/2022 16:16

Had mine today & it was totally fine. Wore a skirt so I just took my pants off & could cover up again quickly after, but midwife was very casual about it all so I didn't feel nervous when it came to it. Laid on the bed with feet together & knees spread and the midwife wore gloves and it was very quick, maybe a minute at most. Not painful but definitely some discomfort. No worse than a smear for sure.
After I'd redressed she talked me through what she could feel (the babies head!) and how much my cervix had thinned & the position of it.

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread