cervical sweep

[Kalamiphile]

Has any one had this done? My daughter having one on thursday despite EDD being either 12th or 18th. Is it neccessary, did it work, would appreciate some opinions. xx

[ratty]

Brought my wife's labour on in about 6 hours. She had it +7

[sanity girl]

I had one done around my due date - definitely got things going and I'm glad I had it

[Kalamiphile]

Thank you both for feedback, really helpful. I guess as my other daughter just said to me, having sex would do the same thing??! or not?

[charlottep]

Fortunately sex doesn't do the same thing, otherwise it would be a most unpleasurable experience. with a sweep the aim is to separate the membranes around the baby from your cervix. i had a sweep with my first when my induction was failing to progress, it definitely did the trick, although it does make your eyes water a bit. worth it though, especially if you're keen to get the baby out.

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

I had it done and it did absolutely nothing for me, my little boy didn't even stir so I ended up being induced the following week.

[Moos]

I had it, didn't work for me.

But it's a proven technique, and worth a go.

Your daughter should be prepared for it to be painful, or at best very uncomfortable. Best of luck to her for a fast onset of labour and a safe delivery!

[littleEDfamily]

Worked for me - went into labour about 10 hours after. not painful and only slightly uncomfortable, but it depends on position of cervix as to how much the midwife needs to push things about.

[Kalamiphile]

This is all so interesting! She is very uncomfortable and as the pregnancy affected her joints believes that the lack of sleep she has experienced over the last months cannot be any worse with baby! Lets hope it works well, think I will not warn her it may hurt.

[supergolden88]

Worked for me labour started within half an hour. The sweep was uncomfortable but not so bad pain wise compared to labour!

[veryseriousgirl]

I had 2 (!) and neither did much for me - my daughter was just happy where she was. They're not comfortable, but I agree wtih supergolden88 - nothing compared to labour.

[Vik]

I had 5 between my due date and baby being born 17 days late, The last one may have worked as she came along that night but who knows?!

Wouldn't hesitate to have another (or another 5!) this time round in preference to induction though.

Good luck to your daughter x

[Gubodge]

I think that they can hasten the start of labour if everything is ready, but if the baby's is not ready to come then a sweep won't shift it. I had three, none of which worked. Fortunately I didn't find them painful. Uncomfortable, yes, but it didn't actually hurt.

[Kalamiphile]

Thats what I thought, tho' thursday would be good for me!! It seems like its 50/50, in the laps of the stork. xx

[new mother]

Is there any pain relief given/ recommended? If not, why not?

[Vik]

In all honesty I never found any of mine painful at all, the last was at worst slightly uncomfortable but no more than a smear. (infact I'd rather have a sweep!) They can cause a bit of cramping but that will either subside or turn into labour!

[Fuschia]

Had three with DS1 (went into labour after the third, there were 11 days betwen 1st and 3rd)

Had two with the twins, a week apart, no effect...

[Kalamiphile]

Many thanks for all input, fascinating for a Grandma to be. Not like this in my day! What I am understanding is it will still be nature who decides in the end, I hope!

[littleEDfamily]

My friend had gas and air with her sweeps, but I don't think it is needed, personally.

If you can't get through a sweep without pain relief, you haven't got a hope of even getting through early labour without drugs. Obviously, if you are a drugs all the way type of person, then by all means get the gas and air for the sweep!!

new mother Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Is there any pain relief given/ recommended? If

> not, why not?

[trinity]

I had a sweep and it was unbelievably painful. I also had 2 births without pain relief so my pain threshold is quite high! It wasn't helped by the nurse giving me the internal exam not telling me she was going to do a sweep. Unforgiveable.

[littleEDfamily]

Hmmmm.... sorry trinity, wasn't meaning to sound insensitive. The midwife did say that if your cervix is in a certain position it can be quite uncomfortable (mine obv wasn't!)

Kalamiphile - you may be interested to know that the midwives sometimes offer to do sweeps during established labour to keep things moving forward.

[new mother]

Obviously, if you are a drugs all the way type of person, then by all means get the gas and air for the sweep!!

Quote from little ED

I am a "this is the 21st century what is the point of unnecessary pain" sort of person!

[trinity]

littleEDfamily Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hmmmm.... sorry trinity, wasn't meaning to sound

> insensitive. The midwife did say that if your

> cervix is in a certain position it can be quite

> uncomfortable (mine obv wasn't!)

>

no problem. Clearly there are a wide range of experiences here. As a comparison I felt nothing with a smear and was in agony with the sweep. Perhaps it was also because I had it 10 days before my due date or perhaps just a very rough nurse.

[katgod]

I had 5, would say about same discomfort level as a smear, which I count as not nice but not really painful either. did not work. had pessary thing to start induction that did not work either. Had waters broken in the end - ahh the rfelief of getting going finally!

Good luck to your daughter.

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

My sweep did not hurt at all,it was weird and a bit uncomfortable but it did not hurt at all. I would say my smear hurt more, but it seemed like those of you whose sweeps did hurt went into labour!