Stretch and sweep experiences

[DH31]

Hi ladies,

I'm 38+1 today with my second baby and I've been told by my consultant I can have a stretch and sweep at my midwife appointment tomorrow.

Just wanted to see if anyone had any experiences and if they went into labour soon after one? I've been having pain in the front and back on and off the last few days. I also had a very busy day yesterday and since then I've felt a lot of pressure down there with pain almost like baby's head is resting on something.

As expected I'm very ready to meet her now as I'm feeling very worn out so just wanted to know any experiences people have had just so I've got something to go off :)

Thankyou

I had two, one on due date and one a few days after, it was fine, not painful or anything but neither brought the labour on.

@Overcome2023 yeah a couple of my friends had them and said nothing happened so was a little unsure hit I've got nothing to lose I guess. I can give it a go.
I've got GD and they want to induce on my due date if she's not here by then and I'd rather avoid that if I can hahah.

I had one with both babies and went into labour 12ish hours later

@roarrfeckingroar oooo did you? This gives me hope. Were you already dilated? Or showing signs of your cervix being ready etc? I'm just hoping all this pain and pressure
means something

It all depends on if your body is ready or not. If it isn’t it’s very unlikely to do anything.

Same as @roarrfeckingroar

Had my sweep lunchtime, was on the way to hospital by the end of ER at 11pm (back in 2000!)

I didn't find it particularly unpleasant or painful - would have described it as my midwife having a bit of a rummage. But I absolutely accept other people have very different experiences.

Lots of luck!

Hi
I had 2 at 39 weeks 2 days apart. My experience wasn’t great although the midwife said I was 3cm dilated, cervix ready and waters bulging I’m still pregnant! (40+5) I also found they did hurt and I bled a lot afterwards

I had one done by a midwife and it did nothing, it wasn’t painful or anything.

a friend went in to labour within hours of having one with both her kids. They were done by a consultant and were absolute agony apparently. She said she thinks consultants go a bit harder than midwives with it and it’s therefore more effective!

I bled alot after and threw up.
It's was insanely hot that day but I depicted any further attempts and jist waited.

I had one when I was pregnant with my second child. The midwife was brutal. I left feeling a bit violated tbh. It didn’t start me off. Had both my kids vaginally with no issues being checked by the midwife in hospital. I wouldn’t have it done again.

I had one at 40 weeks with DS. It hurt like hell. The midwife had said it would be similar to a smear test but I have no issues during those. I was induced with the pessary at 40+10 and that was also thoroughly unpleasant and painful when they put it in....to the point where I refused a second one when the first one got flushed down the toilet after a wee.
(And I've gone through several years of IVF, including a hysteroscopy and a biopsy without any anesthesia. My pain threshold is quite high normally....but that, no, my body wasn't having any of that.)

Thankyou all for your stories everyone. I decided to go for it and have it done this morning.

Had a little bit of cramping etc and I've been to the toilet to find some brown discharge with a blob of brown/red of jelly like discharge (not sure if that's my fault lug coming away or just the lube) and then a few other stringy but too so fingers crossed it means something is happening and won't be long until the little lady is here 🥰.

@Falifornia did you have a bloody show/lose your mucus plug after? I've had some quite a lot of brown discharge which was to be expected but I've had a big red blob of mucus which I think could be my plug. Had some little bits comes away too. This was a few hours after but just wondered if this was how you had your show?
Sorry for TMI.

@DH31 I'm so sorry, it was 24 years ago and I simply can't remember the full details. Definitely did have a show before I went in though!
Fingers crossed you're on the move - thinking of you!

@Falifornia thank you so much for replying though it gives me some hope. I know they say they'll come when they're ready but it's hard at the very end isn't it 😂. I'm sure what I've had is a show but time will tell. Thankyou for your kind words

I had one at 39 weeks by a midwife and barely felt it. Went in to triage a few days later for reduced movements and had one by a doctor who called it a 'proper sweep' - definitely felt that one! Lost a lot of mucus plug following it and went into labour 72 hours later but hard to say whether the sweep helped!

@DH31 I was about to give you more encouraging words but I can see this is your second! But sod it, I will anyway . .

Mine has fully flown the nest, living and working away and is just a fabulous human. Everyone used to bang on about how each stage gets harder - newborn, terrible twos, mardy arsed teenagers. Don't dread the future. Every stage is hard, every stage brings joy. I honestly couldn't say which was my favourite age - every one had highs (and lows) upto and including being the mum of an adult.

<Mind you, I'd have cheerfully sold her on eBay in Year 8!>

Wishing you a safe delivery of your second bundle - I'm feeling quite invested!