Stretch and sweep

[Olivecraven]

Hello all,

So I’ve been told at 38 weeks I will have to have a stretch and sweep, I was just wondering if anyone can give some advise on what to expect, what it’s like and even the steps after, how long did you start labour after etc. I’m not sure what to expect so any help would be appreciated ☺️

Thank you I’m advance

[MissSaoPaulo]

I found it uncomfortable at the time and I was a bit crampy after but it really wasn't a big deal. In my case, it didn't trigger labour and nothing happened. Results seem to be pretty mixed, to be honest. Can I ask why you have to have one at 38? Seems early. Hope the remainder of your pregnancy is nice and smooth xxx

[Olivecraven in reply to MissSaoPaulo]

Thank you for replying, I’ve been told that it can cause bleeding and cramping after but like you say it’s not a big deal.

From week 12 they’ve kept a close eye as they found extra fluid at the back of baby’s neck, I’ve had extra scans and consultant appointments...... at one point his growth was at the bottom of the expected growth rate for that stage of pregnancy but wasn’t a big deal, at my last scan at 32 weeks the dr said everything was fine but I’d need a stretch and sweep at 38 weeks and a scan too just to make sure everything is ok. If I’m being honest I don’t really understand why I need a stretch and sweep so early but I guess they know best 🤷🏼‍♀️

And thank you ♥️

[MissSaoPaulo in reply to Olivecraven]

Good luck!!

[Olivecraven in reply to MissSaoPaulo]

Thank you 😊

[FernS16]

I found in uncomfortable at the time too and I had cramps afterwards but nothing to be worried with. I had my done on the Friday and Sunday night my waters broke and early Monday morning my daughter was born

[Lindsay05]

It was uncomfortable but mine worked my waters broke less than 12 hours later, then 27 hours later had my little boy

[Shopper85 in reply to Lindsay05]

27 hours? Eek

[Shopper85]

Just breathe through it and relax muscles, they will put a glove on , ask you to open your legs then Insert their fingers for approx 1 to 2 minutes and it will hurt like cramping stinging feeling but remain calm and breathe really deep breathes in and out , I held my pillow/ back of my head to control my body

[Annatinks-ar]

The way Shopper85 describes this is very accurate for my experience. I have a tilting backwards cervix so it was a bit more awkward but still only uncomfortable. She asked me to tilt my pelvis upwards and just got on with it. They then advised walking around to have gravitational help. They said that if it were to work labour would start in 48hrs and mine didn’t but I had the sweep Wednesday and went into labour on the following Sunday. It did give them opportunity to evaluate my cervix and that basically told me mine wouldn’t work as my cervix wasn’t “ripe” or dilated but as I say my labour was still only a few more days away.

[Beccaf6]

I had 2 within a week didn’t end up bringing labour on for me, I had cramps after it but that was all and slight bleeding x