I was 38 weeks and had sweep, had another at 39 weeks and labour started within an hour, and lasted another 72 .. but the less said about that the better. Mine did not hurt as such just uncomfortable, and I was a little shaken afterwards. Good luck with everything X

Thanks tigger - didn't have sweep in the end. Back again on Friday! New thread here!!

Good luck tomorrow Belgianbun. No not long now, although I'm not ready yet.

The sweep didn't work today as my cervix was hiding behind baby and apparently needs to move down. Did however manage to get stuck on monitor for rest of the afternoon as they wanted to monitor baby's heartbeat which was fine in the end . Will try again in a few days.
Belgianbun - they do sweep before medical induction as it's the most 'natural' thing to try - i.e.e doesn't involve chemicals. Good luck tomorrow hope it works for you!

Thanks tigger! Not long for us lot now eh!

Sorry no experience of sweeps but just wanted to say Good luck Belgianbun, hope it does the trick.

Hey - had a sweep when I was 12 days overdue and in very early labour. It was horrendous. Appparently my cervix was very long and posterior (?) basically it pointed to my lower back and my midwife was incredibly rough . I did however have DS within 12 hours !!!

I had sweeps when overdue with both my youngest DC and found them excruciating (most women just find them uncomfortable like a smear so not sure why mine were so appalling). Worse than labour. If it hurts, it helps to breathe through and a nice midwife will encourage you to do so. But the pain didn't last afterwards and it took 24 hours for contractions to kick in. Highly unlikely for anything to start right away, especially if you're before due date. Yoga might be a help if you feel up to it.

Good luck and hope it does the trick for you x

I had a sweep with my first pregnancy I was 4 days overdue when they did it. It was quite uncomfortable and I felt a bit crampy afterwards and a bit sick. I walked home afterwards though.

It didn't work properly for me though, all it did was start a few weak niggly contractions later that evening which then continued on and off for the next 4 days until my waters broke, by which point I was exhausted and annoyed as I hadn't slept properly in days.

When the dr offered to do a sweep during my second pregnancy I refused point blank.

But I do know others who have had a sweep and then delivered within 24 hours.

Good luck mummamango!

I'm wondering why they are doing it if it is so ineffective tbh. If they want this baby out due to high bp why not just induce?! I will talk it over with them tomorrow before they go at me with the broom!