Sweeps -- do they work? Had one last night

[LadyW]

Went in to hospital last night with reduced movement - all ok ... Was on the monitors for an hour then scanned because they thought he'd gone breech -- Turns out not breech - he's engaged his head quite a lot, so isn't all over the place as much hence the reduced movements.

They said now I'm 38 weeks they will do a sweep (My ticker is 4 days behind, I'm 38+2)

They did the sweep and said my cervix was 1cm dilated and 2cm long.

Anyone know what this all means and do sweeps work?

I had the 'bloody show' straight away and some brown blood this morning (small amounts)

But nothing else ?

X

 

[Dory85]

I didn't have my first sweep until I was 41 weeks because my midwife said the success rate before then isn't very high but at the time I was 1cm dilated, cervix in mid position and 50% effaced. Baby was also only 2/5 palpable. I had no bleeding afterwards though did lose the tiniest bit of plug. Went into labour suddenly about 40 hours later with regular contractions 3 minutes apart.

I'd say it worked for me but I was already further on than you. It was also my first baby so I didn't expect it to work.

Good luck!!

 

[Babyface83]

My midwife has offered me a sweep at my next appointment, when I will be 40+4. She said it's successful in 1 in 8 women, and it "helps them to avoid induction in one woman out of eight".

 

[booflebump]

It just really depends-there is no real success rate data as who's to say you weren't awsy to go in to labour yourself?

 

[Elainey]

I've had two this week which haven't been successful - - induction on Monday if no progress over the weekend!