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

Original poster

Would you recommend getting a sweep?

28 replies

K37529 · 19/07/2023 13:35

I have an appointment on Monday and was told I'll be offered a sweep then, I'll be 39+3. Not sure whether to have one or not but really want to avoid an induction which is being booked for 40+7. First two labours started spontaneously at 39 weeks exactly so was hoping this one would too but no signs of labour yet. Anyone had a sweep? Does it work and is it painful? Could it cause slow/false labour?

OP posts:
Spottypineapple · 19/07/2023 13:55

It's up to you really but because you asked, My personal decision is a no to sweeps. Theres no evidence that they actually get things moving unless things were getting moving on their own anyway. They Increase the risk of infection, premature rupture of membranes and could cause false contractions that would just tire and stress you out.

I'd be more inclined to decline the Induction if you don't want one. Is there any reason other than 'policy' that your induction is being booked for 40+7?

My trusts policy was 41+3 ... I pushed it to 41+5 and declined it on the day (told them I was going to but they said I had to keep it booked and decline on the day) ... DD came on her own accord at 41+6 so there would have been no reason for induction.

TeddyBeans · 19/07/2023 14:00

I had a two sweeps with DD. The first one did nothing but give me a few cramps and shift my mucus plug. The second one set off mild contractions but I was induced that night anyway for potential preeclampsia (it wasn't in the end) so didn't get to see if I would have gone into full blown labour as a result of the sweep. Shame really but I did appreciate the shortness of the 1 hr 25 minute labour once it was over!

TeddyBeans · 19/07/2023 14:02

Oh and yes it can be painful/uncomfortable. I was doing the contraction breaths while I had mine done

Original poster
K37529 · 19/07/2023 14:09

@Spottypineapple not sure why my inductions being booked then must just be trust policy as so far no concerns for baby.
@TeddyBeans how close together where your sweeps? This is my fear that it will just cause pain and not actually start labour

OP posts:
Hazelnuttella · 19/07/2023 14:09

There’s not a lot of evidence that they actually do anything to help labour start any quicker.

I had one and didn’t find it painful. I don’t think it did anything, but I found it useful because it meant the midwife could tell me how dilated my cervix was (not at all).

So if you’re curious about how things are progressing then maybe have one, but if you’ve found examinations painful before then I’m not sure it’s worth it.

TeddyBeans · 19/07/2023 14:11

A week apart, 39+1 and 40+1

WonkyBricks · 19/07/2023 14:17

I had one on my due date, went into labour that night! 2nd baby, first baby was 7 days late. I was very keen to avoid being induced, so had been eating dates since 32 weeks, hand expressing since 36 weeks and having Clary sage baths since 37 weeks. Went home after the sweep and spent the afternoon walking/on the ball/using a breast pump and tightening eventually became contractions and I gave birth the next day 🙂 the risk of membrane rupture/infection is very very low. Most midwives aren't faffing about if you've got bulging membranes !

Cas112 · 19/07/2023 14:20

I had one but didn't make a difference. Was still induced

Strokethefurrywall · 19/07/2023 15:17

I had a sweep with both babies, first at 37+5 and DS1 arrived about 4 hours later so I was very ready, DS2 was at 38+1 and he arrived less than 24 hours later.

I wouldn't recommend unless you're already dilating, otherwise it's going to be more uncomfortable and potentially ineffective.

Original poster
K37529 · 19/07/2023 15:38

@Strokethefurrywall how do you know if your dilating, do they check that before they do the sweep?

OP posts:
Guineapiggiesmalls · 19/07/2023 15:45

I had a sweep with both babies, neither worked and I was induced with both. I know everyone dreads being induced, but both times were positive (although very different) experiences for me so even if it comes to that hopefully you’ll be the same.

Original poster
K37529 · 19/07/2023 15:45

Sounds like they only actually work if your body is already going into labour. I think I'm probably going to decline, I might ask for one if I pass my due date, thanks everyone 🙂

OP posts:
Porthia · 19/07/2023 15:47

Personally I would not. Especially as you haven’t even reached your due date.

my first 2 were born around 39 weeks and like you I thought number 3 would follow suit but he had other plans! As I got to 41 weeks I agreed to a sweep (my first and only sweep) and it was horrible. It’s literally someone sticking their entire hand up your fanjo and having a wiggle about. Even though I gave full consent I felt really violated. Hated it.

I did have a bit of cramping after but nothing much happened for 24 hours and then I did go into labour and he was born relatively swiftly - but perhaps thy would have happened anyway!? When he was born he still had lots of the thick white waxy stuff babies have on them which usually goes away when babies are “ready” to be born and the mw commented that he clearly wasn’t ready any earlier! Dates were abotut right though so it’s not that they got my due date wrong!

it’s a very personal decision though!

Merrz · 19/07/2023 15:50

Depending on your hospital/area, I think they just book the induction so they have a space for you in case you go over. I had a sweep at 40 + 1, not particularly pleasant but it wasn't painful, I think sweeps only really work if you're body is ready anyway. Cut the grass, that's what got me going 😜

Original poster
K37529 · 19/07/2023 15:50

@Guineapiggiesmalls I was induced with my second because my waters broke without contractions, it ended in emc so I'm afraid another induction might result in another emc, so really want to avoid another induction if possible.

OP posts:
tealandteal · 19/07/2023 15:53

Both times I had a sweep booked and had to call my midwife from the hospital and let her know I wasn’t coming as baby was born in the early hours of that morning! I would see how you feel, you can always decline it on the day.

Original poster
K37529 · 19/07/2023 15:56

@Porthia oh no I was really hoping this one would also come at 39 weeks 😬 I really hope I don't go to 41 weeks I'm so done with being pregnant 🫠

OP posts:
User0324 · 19/07/2023 16:44

No, personally, never again. I had one and it broke my waters - as my body wasn't actually ready for labour, I was in a kind of limbo with contractions starting very slowly but everything else catching up at random times...spent 3 days in hospital having intervention after intervention, resulting in a very traumatic birth.

Larabelle6 · 19/07/2023 16:58

I had positive experiences with both of my children.

2 sweeps a week apart with 1st - he was out within 6 hours after the second (40+3)

had about 8 with my second; week before and the rest over 48 hours whilst waiting to be induced (39+3). Lost lots of my plug throughout and once they broke my waters I went from 0-100 and she was delivered less than 2 hours later.

Theyre uncomfortable but nothing too bad, I’d had bad spd with both so would have done anything to hurry them along.

LovelyBitOfSquirrelll · 19/07/2023 17:25

I had a sweep with my second at 40+3. It was a bit uncomfortable, but not too bad. I didn’t get any cramps, but went into labour very late at night at 40+4 and DS was born the next morning. Don’t know whether it had an affect, but I was fed up and happy to give it a go! Good luck OP x

PickledScrump · 19/07/2023 19:24

My trust don’t give a sweep until 41 weeks as they don’t count you as overdue until then. There’s a higher risk of further intervention (induction, forceps etc) if you have a sweep. I know quite a few people who have had them but none that’s it’s worked for. My first was induced and second spontaneous, I think I’d decline a sweep this time if baby hadn’t come by then.

LivinDaylights · 19/07/2023 19:33

I had a sweep with all mine but I had already started having contractions so it wasn't exactly starting labour, more just nudging it along. My first 2 children also arrived at exactly 39 weeks, when I was still pregnant at exactly 39 weeks I was furious. I'd had start stop contractions from 38 weeks so I was beyond annoyed, my midwife booked a sweep at exactly 40 weeks, I laughed when she did as I was confident I was going to have given birth by then. I had contractions all through the night at 39+6 but it stalled so I decided to go to my sweep booked in for 9.30am, I gave birth on my due date just before 6pm. I'm not convinced it does anything to get you into labour, but in my case it revved things back up every time, too fast with my 1st in fact, I went from 1cm to 7cm in little over an hour. I'd probably still say yes though, you'll probably be showing signs by then if your others came at 39 weeks.

Strokethefurrywall · 19/07/2023 21:30

@K37529 my OBGYN checked me first, I was already 4cm with DS1 (although I wasn't having pains, just Braxton Hicks).
With DS2 I was about 2cm dilated. DS2 also wasn't fully engaged so I don't think it was quite as fast as it was with DS1 who was practically hanging out of me by the time I went into actual labor.

BertieBotts · 19/07/2023 22:06

I refused a sweep with DC1 and DC3, and I'm glad that I did. I wasn't offered with DC2 because he was a week early.

Vintagecreamandcottagepie · 19/07/2023 22:09

Had first two at 39 weeks dead on like you.

Third was 40+6. Had a sweep the day before, and woke up with contractions that night. Best, fastest labour ever, and a home birth!

So yes, I would recommend but only after 40 weeks.

Saved me getting induced (which happened with our second and wasn't the best)