Having A Sweep is it as bad as everyone says???

Question

I am having a sweep on Wednesday and have been reading about how painful and awful it is! Has anyone had a good expirience with ahving this done or is it just horrible for everyone?

Answer 1

What's a sweep? The only one I know is sweeping of the floor. YOu sure it's not smear???

Answer 2

I'm actually having one next week, my first and ive been told they aren't as bad as they seem!

I'm now 39 weeks and 6 days so I'm actually looking forward to it especially if it works!

the way i look at it is, yes it might be uncomfortable and slightly painful but it cant be half as bad as labour lol.

And I'm so worn out, frustrated and fed up i really don't care how it feels as long as it actually works!!

Good luck, i hope it works for you and your baby is delivered soon:d

take care xx  

Answer 3

I had one last july 2007.

I didnt find it was as bad as everyone said it was, it was a little uncomfortable. You just really need to try and relax.

I kept trying to push myself up the bed away from the women that was doing it!

Good luck and i hope its not so bad for you.

Answer 4

I had a sweep and it didn't hurt at all!!  That's a load of rubbish if you ask me.  Obviously it's a little uncomfortable having someone with their fingers up there, but not sore in the slightest.  Good luck! x

Answer 5

A stretch and sweep is where the the membranes are 'stripped' away from the cervix - if the cervix is sufficiently dilated to allow it.  Unfortunately it can be quite an uncomfortable procedure, although i think the worst thing is that it can make you extremely uncomfortable for several days after, lots of tightenings etc, with very little change in cervical status.  There is NO evidence to support that it works for induction of labour, just as many people spontaneously go into labour without it as those with it.   If I was you, I'd refuse it, as all it will do is not let you get any sleep in the days leading up to your inductrion and labour, therefore increasing the chance of you needing assistance in the end stages of labour due to exhaustion.  Sleep and hydration are two of the biggest influencing factors in the days leading up to labour.

I'm a clinical midwife, and this is what I advise ALL my patients.  The ones who've had a stretch and sweep are the girls who come in every night for a few nights in a row, afterwards.  They think they are in labour, but have no significant cervical change, and get sent home again, with pain relief, and back they come the next day again, exhusted, with still no change.

Sorry to frighten you, but just ask if they can give you a date for induction and NOT do the stretch and sweep when they examine you!

Let us know how you go.

Answer 6

I had a sweep with my last one because I was 11 days overdue and they wanted to try and help get me started. It was uncomfortable, alot like a powerful period pain. But I took some paracetamol (given by my midwife) and was fine. It doesn't hurt you in the way you imagine it will, just like I said period pain. Best of luck with the birth.

Answer 7

I didn't think it was painful at all. Every ones pain thresh hold is different. I was two days late giving birth to my son, so I don't really know if it helped. And did you mean Cholecystitis?  

Answer 8

i have no idea what that is

Answer 9

i had 2. they last a matter of seconds, and yes it uncomfortable - i wouldnt say painful - but its over before you know it.

Answer 10

I had that with one of my kids. It was a little uncomfortable but not that bad.