Stretch and sweep - pros and cons?

[CSR721]

I'm 40+2 tomorrow and have a midwife appointment. At my last one, the midwife said that at my next appointment I would be offered a sweep if baby hadn't arrived already.

I am keen to have it as I am fed up of being pregnant and really want to meet my baby! However I do want to make an informed choice. Are there any risks associated with having a sweep?

Any experiences greatly appreciated 😊

It's not particularly comfortable but no other particular risks so go ahead if you are keen to get things moving!!

That's super helpful, thank you x

I had 2 sweeps and nothing. I was induced at 41+1 and it was a horrendous experience. Long story short had a bad reaction and ending up having an emergency c section and 6 weeks of injections.

They aren’t harmful but I’d say they don’t work more often than they do work. If your cervix is far back and closed it can be painful. I hated the things but I still had numerous sweeps with all 3 of my kids with the hope of getting labour going.

@1994girl oh that sounds awful, I'm sorry you had such a bad birth experience!

@Winceybincey thank you. I will ask her to check my cervix before she does it and if its too far back/closed I'll ask to wait for a little bit

I'm on my 4th baby now and I think I'd refuse one again personally, even though I've had several before. Don't think it really made any difference and they range from extremely uncomfortable to fucking painful (and I have a high pain threshold) You do get to that stage though where you are willing to try anything. No risk as far as I'm aware.

If your cervix is too far back or closed the midwife can't do a sweep so no point in asking her not to do it if that is the case.

I had one and it kickstarted my labour along with bouncing on birthing ball.

It's pretty painful if I'm honest but glad I had one. Take pain relief before hand.

If your cervix is far back and closed then it’s unlikely a sweep will work anyway. They usually work when you’re about to go into labour, with cervix soft and low and already dilating. That’s the only time it worked for me when my - Bishop score was 8. All the other times it did nothing and I ended up being induced with my other two.

if it doesn’t work then your midwife will likely check your cervix again at your next appt and offer another sweep before booking an induction.

Thank you! I wouldn't normally have another appointment for another 2 weeks which would put me over 42w. Do you think they would book me in to see them sooner if the sweep was unsuccessful/if they weren't able to do it?

I personally cant see the point of them-i was told that the success rate was 30% by a midwife, so in other words a 70% failure rate!
before anyone corrects me thats what she told me.

My appointments were weekly from 38 weeks. With my 3rd baby I was so desperate to be done with it she booked me in twice between 40 and 41 weeks for sweeps. They didn’t work as he really wasn’t ready to come out. The pessary failed too and I ended up on the drip.

if I were you I’d just ask if I can come in sooner, I couldn’t wait until 42 weeks but I do have large babies and could barely walk by 40 weeks. Just tell her you’re struggling and can’t wait that long, she should be good with it

I had two stretch and sweeps and the second did make me loose my mucus plug and induce labour in a 12 hr period but the midwife was more vigorous 🤣 It is uncomfortable and they may get you to put your fists under your bum to try and open your cervix up more.

You can bleed afterwards so suggest taking a sanitary towel with you.

I did lots of walking afterwards and think this helped as well but ultimately baby will come when they're ready; good luck!

@JLQ1020 I had one and it kickstarted my labour along with bouncing on birthing ball.

It's pretty painful if I'm honest but glad I had one. Take pain relief before hand.

That's good to know thank you, I will take paracetamol before the appointment! I have had a colposcopy last year on no pain relief which was the worst experience of my life so ill assume this will be similar 🙈 Glad it was successful for you!

@Winceybincey I thought it was meant to be weekly but at my 38w she said everything was fine so she didn't need to see me at 39. I will deff ask for a sooner appointment, I would not feel comfortable going over 42w

Thank you! I will make sure to take a sanitary pad and ask about rh- injection if it causes bleeding as well. So much to think about 😱

she should definitely see you more often between 40 and 42 weeks especially if you request it. You’re overdue and will need more frequent monitoring. Tell her you’re not comfortable waiting that long and want more frequent checkups/sweeps, she should listen and agree to it.

good luck.. how exciting. I do actually miss this stage with my babies despite it being the most uncomfortable part of pregnancy.

Thanks for all your responses! Midwife did an internal examination and said my cervix is forward but still closes and long 😩 so she couldn't do the sweep. She will try again next week and if not I'll be booked for induction x