stretch and sweep ???

[mum of annaliese]

i had a midwife appointment and they told me that i could come in for a "stretch and sweep" at 39 weeks (i am 37w at the moment). I am trying for a vbac and i dont want to ruin any chances i have of being sucessful and i feel that my emerg c/sec was due to medical intervention. Has anyone had any experiance with this?

[PKKXP]

Any reason why they would do one at 39 weeks? My sis had it done three times from 37 weeks onward as the dr was convinced she was having a huge baby (which she didn't and it never ended up working either but she did say it was painful and awful). Is there a reason they want to bring on labour at that time?

[Daydream Believer]

I can ONLY give u my experience, I had one and I think it definitely got the ball rolling. Dd arrived about 49 hours later.
My understanding is it will not do anything unless your body is ready for it, it just releases more of the prostaglandins hormone... (but please don't take my word on any of this, im no expert)
I had a natural, quick, mobile and drug free labour (except for a bit of cyntocin as my waters broke and the contractions were lazy, and I was strep b pos), as far as labours go, it was great :)
They can't even perform it unless you're already a little dilated.
In my experience, It was quite uncomfortable (painful even) but so quick! I was saying "oooo, that really does hurt' but it was over before I even said "hurt"

I'd get one again next time, but it's a personal choice, and I'd be hesitant to tell any one else they should get one.
I don't think there's any risk of it leading to more interventions, but wait til some other bubhubbers reply with their experiences :) all the best for a quick and easy birth :)

[mum of annaliese]

Any reason why they would do one at 39 weeks? My sis had it done three times from 37 weeks onward as the dr was convinced she was having a huge baby (which she didn't and it never ended up working either but she did say it was painful and awful). Is there a reason they want to bring on labour at that time?


Not 100% sure but i think it would probably because if i make it to 40w then i will have a c/sec before i get to 41w.

[Miss Fanny]

I went to 42+1 weeks with DD and had my first stretch and sweep at 38 weeks after I begged them, after that I had them weekly until 41 weeks then I was having one every 3 days.
For me i don't think they did anything but they also didn't hurt so maybe were not done properly.
DD resulted in a c section after 18 hour labour but I don't think the sweeps had any contribution to that. Just a d**k of an OB.
I think there worth having a go if the only other option is c section.

[Hokey Pokey]

I have never had one, but I can not see how it would hurt :)

[KyD]

I agree that i don't think they do much if your body isn't ready for it too. I had mine at 39+4 and DD was born on her due date 3 days later. I found it did hurt, and was quite uncomfortable but it was brief. I believe it definately kicked my labour along, I had been having major BH for a few days and was a little, but not much dilated I lost my plug immediately. I too was facing a pre-41week induction due to a variety of reasons, hypertension and fear it would turn into PE, faliure of DD to thrive for the last month in utero which along with U/S info led to fear my placenta was getting weary. If faced with an induction this time around I would definately go down the stretch and sweep route again(and i am reallly hoping to get my VBAC!) as it gives your body time to go "naturally" and work itself into the labour rather than being inundated with artificial hormones straight off the bat.
Oh and just something that we think also helped, was that once the plug was gone we DTD to get the prostaglandins in there to further move things along!! ;) She was born less than 24 hours after this!!
Good Luck with your birth!!

[peanutbutter&jelly]

I wouldn't.
Its the first step on the cascade on intervention :(

[mum of annaliese]

thanks everyone, i have an obs appointment tomorrow so will speak to him about it but all feels like i might go natural shortly. Hopefully all the stars align!