Page 2 | Having a sweep

Unbearable12 · 2024-01-30T07:56:11+00:00

Hi all, going for a sweep tomorrow at 39 weeks and I'm a bit nervous so just wondering if anyone can share how their experience was? Midwife didn't tell me much so do I need to prepare anything? Was it painful and most importantly did it work?

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BuernBuern · 31/01/2024 09:05

EarringsandLipstick · 30/01/2024 19:21

This isn't correct. Many posters, including me, have confirmed sweeps were not painful for them.

The efficacy is not fully proven of course. But then it's still not known what precipitates labour, so it can be that sweeps will help.

They won't continue if it isn't favourable, obviously.

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Hormonal signals from a baby that is ready to be born precipitate labour.

For most a sweep is painful and I would say it's pretty foolhardy placebo use to do something that has no basis in science that can introduce infection or even injury just to fit the schedule of a Trust or due to impatience.

EarringsandLipstick · 31/01/2024 17:33

BuernBuern · 31/01/2024 09:05

Hormonal signals from a baby that is ready to be born precipitate labour.

For most a sweep is painful and I would say it's pretty foolhardy placebo use to do something that has no basis in science that can introduce infection or even injury just to fit the schedule of a Trust or due to impatience.

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You haven't got more correct with time - it is not known exactly what causes labour to start. Some theories are posited but it's definitely not known that 'hormonal signals' start labour (what even are these?)

As for 'ready to be born', how does that square with premature babies who certainly aren't 'ready to be born'.

A sweep should not be painful and most replies on this thread indicate this - it can be uncomfortable.

There is no issue of infection or injury (WTF?) assuming it's being done by a qualified medical professional.

It should be done when appropriate so no, not to fit a schedule but it's again untrue there is no basis in science; the stimulation of the membranes can influence the start of labour. What's not known is if it will definitively work or not.

OP, please don't listen to this poster.

BuernBuern · 31/01/2024 18:18

EarringsandLipstick · 31/01/2024 17:33

You haven't got more correct with time - it is not known exactly what causes labour to start. Some theories are posited but it's definitely not known that 'hormonal signals' start labour (what even are these?)

As for 'ready to be born', how does that square with premature babies who certainly aren't 'ready to be born'.

A sweep should not be painful and most replies on this thread indicate this - it can be uncomfortable.

There is no issue of infection or injury (WTF?) assuming it's being done by a qualified medical professional.

It should be done when appropriate so no, not to fit a schedule but it's again untrue there is no basis in science; the stimulation of the membranes can influence the start of labour. What's not known is if it will definitively work or not.

OP, please don't listen to this poster.

Show quote history

There is a huge evidence base for infection AND accidental rupturing of membranes, etc.

As for premature babies - confounding factors of course! Obviously was accounting for normal circumstances. Hilarious comment "qualified medical professional" as though iatrogenic harm didn't exist.

Anyway, I'll refrain from pigeon chess.

EarringsandLipstick · 31/01/2024 20:23

There is a huge evidence base for infection AND accidental rupturing of membranes, etc.

Please do share, Dr. 🙄

EarringsandLipstick · 31/01/2024 20:24

Anyway, I'll refrain from pigeon chess.

Are you ok? 🤔

pinksheetss · 31/01/2024 20:28

I had a sweep at 38 weeks and then one a couple days later nearer 39 weeks which did work (baby had stopped growing last two weeks so plan was to induce me anyway) the second sweep 'worked' and my waters broke 5 hours later

However, I went on to have prolonged rupture of membrane, a busy maternity ward meant I couldn't get on labour ward for ages to help speed it along and I ended in a three day labour, dilated to 10cm only to then need an emergency c section

The sweep is one of the things I wouldn't do again (along with taking the morphine offered to me)

lordloveadog · 31/01/2024 20:49

Really not ok to say they're going to perform a medical intervention without giving a reason.

And hard to see what reason there could be. You're not overdue.

I had several sweeps to try to evict DC2, who was getting huge. I wanted a home birth and it was starting to look doubtful, so helpful midwife agreed to poke. But those were very particular circumstances.