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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Positive sweep stories - first baby?

27 replies

Lzgs · 27/03/2022 21:04

Hi!
I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about sweeps but I am now 40+4 and struggling to a point I might even ask for a sweep at my 41 week appointment.

I am a FTM so would love to hear positive experiences of sweeps for first babies? Thanks!

OP posts:
Gamechanger2019 · 27/03/2022 21:07

I had an attempted one last week at 39+4, sadly couldn’t do it because cervix was closed 😭 going to try again tomorrow and I’ll be 40+1. From what I had last week it wasn’t too bad just felt like a smear but appreciate might not have been full one

Original poster
Lzgs · 27/03/2022 21:23

@Gamechanger2019 ah let me know how it goes!

OP posts:
SunshineSasha · 27/03/2022 21:33

I had two when pregnant with my first baby. Not convinced either worked (I went into labour 3 days after the second one so it may have helped but was a bit outside the window they suggest) but I would absolutely do it again. I’d describe it as more uncomfortable than painful and I thought it was worth a try to avoid a hospital induction.

florianfortescue · 27/03/2022 21:40

I had one a few days before I gave birth (at 41+5!) just recently. It was uncomfortable rather than painful and like a PP I saw it as preferable to an induction.

Not sure whether it did anything and I actually refused a second sweep because I found it pretty invasive at a time when I was already feeling quite sorry for myself. I expect it is still better than an induction though so it's worth a try if you're up for it.

notanotheronef · 27/03/2022 22:04

I had a sweep at 40 + 6 and was 10cm an hour after! From 1cm and a 'high cervix' im not sure if it was a coincidence I got the sweep but worked for me and wasn't uncomfortable for me.

Original poster
Lzgs · 27/03/2022 22:51

Thanks for the replies.

Yes I am desperate to avoid induction! But all of your responses make me think it might be tolerably uncomfortable rather than painful...what do I have to lose at this point!

OP posts:
Bex1010 · 27/03/2022 22:55

Hi there!! I have had 2 babies and a grand total of 5 sweeps (3 with the first who was very overdue and 2 with the second!). I'd say that they definitely helped move things along and I found it helpful when the midwife told me the "status" of my cervix!! Ie oooh it's closed and still posterior versus oooh yes it's softening up and slightly more dilated than last time!!

It is a bit uncomfortable but my view js that by the time I'm that pregnant I'm willing to try anything!!

Good luck with what's to come!!!

Original poster
Lzgs · 27/03/2022 23:09

@Bex1010 good point that it helps to know what the current cervix situation is. Thank you for sharing your experience. Yes I am definitely nearing that GET IT OUT and v done with pregnancy stage 🤣

OP posts:
Gamechanger2019 · 28/03/2022 15:39

Another failed attempt 😭 clearly this baby wants to be an April baby, last attempt Friday and if not induction on Sunday. I hope you have better luck!!!

Mackmama · 28/03/2022 16:09

I had two, they didn’t hurt but didn’t do much either. Induction wasn’t that bad and it was all over in 4 hours for me with no complications x

Original poster
Lzgs · 28/03/2022 17:36

@Gamechanger2019 my baby will probably show up on April fools just to be extra annoying 🤣🤣😫
Good luck for Friday!!

@Mackmama wow 4 hours for first baby? I think my biggest anxiety around induction is the length of time it might take and being in the hospital for so long but glad to hear it could be a quicker process

OP posts:
Cosyclothes · 28/03/2022 23:57

Hi, I had my 40 week appointment today and had a sweep! I found it quite tolerable, not painful but very uncomfortable and gave me some period pains. My doctor really got in there!! My cervix was very soft and when she put her fingers in she was like wow, the head is right there!! I am now lying in bed with sore contractions 8 minutes apart, hoping this may be it!!

Goose4 · 29/03/2022 01:22

I had a sweep at about 40+6 which didn't work. Well, I should say attempted sweep, because my cervix was so high the midwife couldn't even touch it to try anything!!
Labour started naturally a few days later at 41+3. I think my baby just wasn't ready to come any earlier!

Strokethefurrywall · 29/03/2022 01:53

Sweep at 9am (37+5), labor started at 11.30, baby arrived at 4am.

I think your cervix has to be favorable though, if high and closed it is unlikely to work effectively.

BackToWhereItAllBegan · 29/03/2022 01:55

My first DS was born 3 hours after my sweep, I was 40 + 5 and luckily lived very close to the hospital!

Original poster
Lzgs · 29/03/2022 22:22

@Cosyclothes that sounds promising!! Fingers crossed it happened for you!!

Thank you for the replies - I am feeling a bit better about having a sweep and dare I say even keen 😆

OP posts:
Gamechanger2019 · 29/03/2022 22:26

@Lzgs haha the keen comment made me chuckle. At this point honestly I think we’ll do anything 🤣

TwistofFate · 30/03/2022 08:18

Midwife attempted a sweep when I was 40+3 and had to ask her to stop because it was so uncomfortable, she said my cervix wasn't ready and put it down as a failed attempt. Labour started about 6 hours later.

peonyandpeaches · 30/03/2022 12:36

I had one when I was 3 days over and went into labour that night. For me it was an awkward fingering Grin

Original poster
Lzgs · 31/03/2022 08:41

I have my sweep later this morning - hoping it brings on labour!! 😬😬

OP posts:
CurryandSnuggle · 31/03/2022 10:07

I had one, it wasn’t painful just a bit uncomfortable but I would do it again. I was 1cm dilated at the time of the sweep and I went into labour about 15 hours after the sweep.

n3vfaye · 31/03/2022 19:45

My first baby I had a sweep at 39+4 the day before an induction for rfm. Sweep at dinner mucus plug come out t 6 and I was 10 cm by 1am th next morning. 🙂 Worked for me x

Susurrar · 31/03/2022 19:50

I had a sweep at 40+6, late afternoon. It wasn’t particularly uncomfortable. Midwife claimed it wasn’t looking promising so we booked an induction. DS must have heard and decided to come out the following morning.
Good luck Flowers

Dipsydoodlenoodle · 31/03/2022 23:09

Good luck

AtomHeartMotherOfGod · 31/03/2022 23:20

I had one at 40 weeks, it was fine. They said I was about 0.5cm dilated - I don't think they can do one if there's no opening at all.

A bit of an uncomfortable feeling but no pain. I had a mini-mucus lump come out about +4, then the proper mucus plug (huge, unequivocal) day +5, baby a day later.