Stretch and sweep

Hi ive just joined and a first time mum, but all I know about that is that it's to try start early labour x

Hey it's a slightly invasive procedure where the midwife will check how dilated your cervix is and how it is positioned.. once she has done this she will literally sweep around with her finger to try and detach some of the membranes and stretch the cervix out.. it can be uncomfortable and painful but of course different people tolerate it differently :) it's considered successful if it induces labor within 48 hours but it does not always work

I had it with both my pregnancies and it worked both times for me. It’s slightly uncomfortable but no worse than a smear test. It’s not guaranteed to work as it depends how close to labour you are already.

I requested it with both of mine, but you absolutely don’t have to have it if you don’t want to. It’s your body, so only you get to decide

I had a midwife appointment last week at 38 weeks and was offered the same but refused it…midwife actually said chances of it working at 38 weeks with first baby are slim to none which was contradictory really…not sure why you would be offered something that has a slim chance of working😵‍💫

It's not something you have to have. But they do offer it. I would do your own research and decide if it's for you. They have to have your consent and can't just tell you they are doing it to you at your next appointment.

I literally just went for one but my cervix was too high up for it to be done (39 weeks +1) as she couldn’t reach it. I was only having it as being induced Wednesday so was gonna try get the ball rolling before then but no success :(

I’m having mine tomorrow now I’m 40+2, but all depends on whether your cervix is favourable. In my opinion, and everyone’s different, I wouldn’t bother even looking unless you’re trying to initiate things naturally vs being induced before 40 weeks (as some have stated they’re getting induced before 40 weeks for whatever reason). If you’re low risk and no concerns, id leave it until you hit 40.

I had one of Friday and one today. I wish I hadn’t bothered. I found Friday uncomfortable and today really painful. I’m 39+3 - had tailed off growth which is why I was recommended it. But to be honest I wish I’d left him to just come on his own. They did say my cervix had softened and felt his head but not sure how much it will achieve. It’s just made me more emotional. But I know some people have been absolutely fine and they’ve worked great! I also have awful pelvic girdle pain so not sure if that personally made it worse for me

She’s not legally allowed to tell you what will happen to your body, if she’s made you feel like you don’t have a choice and that you ‘will have’ a sweep and then if she puts her hand in your vagina that’s classed as sexual assault. She should offer and make it clear to you that you can decline. Sorry you’ve not been treated more gently. You would be well within your rights to complain about this treatment.

As far as I'm aware, a stretch and sweep should be at your request and is not something the midwife should decide for you. If you are happy to have it then the sweep can help trigger labour, but if you want to wait, then your midwife should respect your wishes.

I'm getting it done on Thursday I'm 38+1 today I'm getting jt done because I'm being induced at 39weeks on the 22nd so it's to see if I can start naturally on my own before hand, started to get pains Friday so midwife said its good sign as more chance the sweep will work, but just have to wait and see nervous it's going to be painful

I highly recommend “the naked doula” app and Insta page. It’s very informative about sweeps/inductions and the full picture. I’m also first time mum & it’s helped make me feel informed xx

They make you relax your legs and they glove and lube up and they use their fingers to separate your water sack from your cervix if they can depending on how dilated you are, it’s quite uncomfortable and can be painful afterwards, it can cause the release of the hormone which sets off your labour within 2 days but it may not work, some people have to have many and then end up being induced with a drip etc because it didn’t set anything off

Thanks ladies , definitely getting nervous now 😂 just one question tho is it sore or just uncomfortable and am I better to wear a pad or something ?