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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

3 days overdue, shall I accept a sweep?

145 replies

SheWillBeLoved · 21/07/2009 12:59

Title says it all really! Was due on the 18th by my scan dates with my first (due 11th by my LMP)

Midwife said last week that if I still hadn't made any progress by tomorrow, then they would offer me a sweep. I don't know if I want it though - part of me wants to let her come when she's ready to, and part of me is wondering whether I should go by my LMP dates which would make me almost 2 weeks overdue, and take the sweep.

Help Genuinely at a loss as to what to do. No real signs of labour starting, just feeling like I've been given a good kick in my pubic bone

Experiences of sweeps/being overdue/getting things going much appreciated

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

roxy12 · 21/07/2009 13:14

hey hun.

i had a sweep, it is really good.
i had it in the morning about 9.30 and went into labour at 7pm that night.

if you go 2 weeks verdue they will have to induce you anyway.

my little boy was due 24th june, had sweep in 25th and actyally had him on 26th. i was 15 hrs in full labour.

good luck.

roxy12 · 21/07/2009 13:15

sorry about spelling. im holding baby so typing with one hand.

Deemented · 21/07/2009 13:17

I had a sweep at 4.30, contractions started properly about 5ish and dd was born at 12.55am the next morning.

samja · 21/07/2009 13:19

It took a sweep to get both my labours going. I'm not really into intervention but thought it was preferable to a possible induction.

Most midwives will have a feel around and if your cervix is nowhere near ripe, they won't do it. There's no point unless you are near ready anyway.

With my 1st I had one on the Fri and had DD on Saturday, thus avoiding induction appointment on the Monday!

Good luck.

JustcallmeDog · 21/07/2009 13:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

EldonAve · 21/07/2009 13:21

I would decline the offer

slushy06 · 21/07/2009 13:22

I had a sweep Saturday and have another booked for wed.

I would recommend as although mine did not induce me into labor it has moved things along in my opinion.
I was slowly losing my plug since 37 weeks but it was reforming since sweep my loss has really sped up and I am hoping that the second sweep will do the trick.

gigglinggoblin · 21/07/2009 13:25

I had sevral with ds3, lots of braxton hicks after each but no labour. Then went into labour on my own, I am sure because of the braxton hicks. He was the first baby I didnt have to be induced for, much better than letting them do it in hospital. It wont force the baby out if it isnt ready. Its a bit like a smear, not fun but not awful. I would accept the offer

LittleOtik · 21/07/2009 13:26

I had 2 sweeps with DD1, didn't make a difference, had to be induced eventually.

Also had a sweep with DD2, also didn't make a difference, went into labour naturally 1 week later.

Also the second sweep for DD1 was a really unpleasant experience. I would let things happen naturally if I were you. I had a sweep again with DD2 because it was getting very close to Christmas and I didn't want her to be born on Christmas day! (she wasn't in the end anyway)

JemL · 21/07/2009 13:32

I wouldn't bother yet - but then I found my sweep extrememly uncomfortable, and it didn't do any good anyway!

My midwife didn't offer one until I was 10 days late - I would leave it a bit longer than 3/4 days before accepting one.

JemL · 21/07/2009 13:33

Just re-read your OP and seen there is some disparity over the dates. If you are quite sure of your dates, it might be worth having your midwife examine you - they can at least tell if your cervix is softening, etc, which suggests a sweep might do any good. I was pre-warned that mine might not!

Original poster

SheWillBeLoved · 21/07/2009 13:37

I suppose the fact that it would be done by a midwife dubbed 'Mad Mary' (known for her vigorous sweeps!) by family/friends who have had sweeps done is also a bit off putting

God I really don't know what to do never been so indecisive in my life! Praying that something.. anything happens today/tonight so that the decision is taken away from me

OP posts:

GoldenSnitch · 21/07/2009 13:57

I will never let anyone sweep me ever again!

It did nothing other than make me sore and uncomfortable and was the most painful thing to happen bar the contractions!!!

I would say "no"

GoldenSnitch · 21/07/2009 13:57

and I was 4 days overdue when they did it

Fanjita · 21/07/2009 14:07

I didn't find the sweep uncomfortable (I had two) but it didn't make anything happen either.

frazzledgirl · 21/07/2009 14:09

I had three sweeps - none of which were too bad, but OTOH none of them worked either.

Ended up being induced, but actually that was brilliant (only took six hours to push out DS, and had epidural first so really chilled and painless. Not everyone's ideal, but suited me well).

Good luck

HarryB · 21/07/2009 14:16

I had two sweeps which didn't work. They didn't hurt but were a bit uncomfortable. TBH, by that time, you'll try anything.

bottletop · 21/07/2009 14:16

I had a sweep with DS, at a week, and then ten days, but it didn't do much. Both DS and DD were born at 42.5 and 42 weeks, so I guess my norm is long pregnancies. I felt much better about it all when I stopped thinking of myself as 'overdue' and started thinking of myself as pregnant, and letting things take their course. Both were born v quickly - 6 hours - with no pain relief. Good luck.

Ceolas · 21/07/2009 14:19

I had one with DS, my 3rd baby. He was quite big so the midwives were keen for me not to go too far past my EDD. From what I remember it was a fairly straightforward and painless procedure. I had it just before midday on the Monday and went into labour on Wednesday afternoon. He was born on his EDD - the other 3 have been late.

I wanted one with DD3 but was declined at 40+4 as her head wasn't engaged. Apparently there is a risk of cord prolapse if the membranes rupture. I went into spontaneous labour anyway at 40+6.

I would first of all treat the scan date as more accurate than your date by LMP. Then if you are really undecided, wait a couple more days. You still have plenty of time before anyone will be pushing for induction. I also believe they 'come when they're ready', whether you have a sweep or not. Good luck!

Tidey · 21/07/2009 14:31

I had a sweep when I was eight days overdue with DD, but ended up being induced at 13d overdue. So, presumably they do work with some people otherwise they wouldn't bother, but it didn't work for me. I like to think that both mine were overdue because I'm just so damn comfy they didn't want to move

Good luck and best wishes to you.

Dibbdobb · 21/07/2009 14:32

Had one at 2 days over and nothing happened. Had another at 11 days and DD born following day but had been having contractions for 2 days before 2nd one so might have happened on it's own. For my money it wasn't that bad if you relax and worth it to avoid induction that would have meant no birth centre for me.

Arcadie · 21/07/2009 14:34

I had a sweep with DC1 - was sore and had a show but still ended up being induced.

Had 3 yes THREE sweeps with DC2 - each time was told that cx was that little bit closer, but still ended up with induction ( a lot quicker than DC1's though).

Friend had a sweep and was in labour by the end of the day.

Yes it's uncomfortable but not as much as birth... and it will start your body thinking about what it should be doing soon.

pigsinmud · 21/07/2009 14:35

I had a sweep with dd2 (4th child) and the doc accidentally broke my waters! Contractions started pretty much immediately and dd2 was born (at home) 4 hours later.

Not half as bad as people had said it would be.

Cleanitlikebanksysmaid · 21/07/2009 14:46

Depends on the person I guess, everyone's different. Worth a try though isn't it? tweeking your nips, however....now there's something that works...

mumof2222222222222222boys · 21/07/2009 14:46

I had one on due date with DS2. That was 18th of Dec. MW suggested I came back in a week's time - ie Xmas day!!!

We had words and she swept me.

It wasn't that bad...he arrived 4 days later.

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