Sweeps.. is it the whole.. hand?

[iamsoreadyforbednow]

Can someone just clarify whether for a sweep they use a number of fingers.. or if they literally have their entire hand in your vagina?

I get that soon enough a head will be coming out of it so I shouldn’t be bothered, but I thought it was a 2, maybe 2 finger affair but someone said it’s an entire hand and now I’m confused and not sure whether to expect to be bloody fisted by the midwife at my next appointment 😭

What is the truth?!

2 maybe 3 finger affair*

I honestly can’t remember as it’s such a long time since I had one, but I guess it depends on the position of your cervix. ie, if it is quite high up, they might need to put some of their hand in.

I'm pretty sure I had a hand up there when I was giving birth but can't quite remember, just the bloody pain of it !!
Sweep might be different hopefully lol

It's 2 fingers they use. If your cervix is very high/the midwife has small hands they might not be able to reach. They definitely don't insert a hand!

@IwillrunIwillfly

It's 2 fingers they use. If your cervix is very high/the midwife has small hands they might not be able to reach. They definitely don't insert a hand!

Indeed

Sweeps were the worst part of labour for me!

It felt like a whole hand to me! Over four years ago but I still remember the surprise- I suppose I’d expected it would feel like having a smear done but it was definitely more uncomfortable than that.

It's definitely not a whole hand, just a couple of fingers! I've had a few sweeps (two babies).

Thanks all I feel a bit better now! I think..

Although I’m not sure what a smear feels like either, I was called up for my first smear while trying for our second baby (first pregnancy was complicated and needed a c-section so I’ve never got as far as sweeps before!) So I delayed it, got pregnant and will have my first after this baby is born.. another thing to look forward to! 🤣

“Fisting by the midwife” is an apt description. I felt like a hand puppet. It didn’t hurt, though.

I'm getting one on Sunday. Do you get gas and air for it? I've been told it's painful and I'm scared 😭

@TyrannosaurusRegina I wasn't offered any gas and air. I had three in the end over a few days but sadly it didn't work for me, my son was very stubborn!

Definitely two fingers btw. My cervix is at an awkward angle (I've been told before at sweeps) and it was rather 'uncomfortable' but honestly, it doesn't take very long in the grand scheme of things.

Mine is also at a jaunty angel, apparently. It took a bit of rummaging for the mw to find it. @TyrannosaurusRegina I don’t think they routinely offer gas and air for a sweep but there’s no harm in asking, if you’re worried? I guess it depends on where the sweep is taking place and whether they have some available.

Angle!

No gas and air for mine but would absolutely have it if offered!