Does stretch and sweep usually work?

[treightonsmum]

I had a stretch and sweep done this morning and have had regular contractions 10 to 15 mins apart for a few hours now. The doctor said that the baby's head is well down and that my cervix was open anyway approx 2cm. This is my 3rd baby and I havent ever had that done with the other 2. He said I should be having him soon because of how things felt. Just wondered if anyone else had this done and if it helped your labour to start or did it take more? thanks Kathy.

[Jamily]

Hello

I had 2 s and s's. The first didn't do anything (I was only 0.5cm dilated) and after the second I went into labour 12 hours later (I was 2cm dilated that time).

My doc recommended sex to aid things along too.

Good luck :)

[Mummy-2-2]

Hi Kathy

I just wrote to you in Jan mummies, but:

I have had three stretches done so far and am still here in one piece:mad:

I too had contrax after the stretches, but unfortunately turned out to a big fat 0.

I really hope it works for you tho, I have heard it can bring on labour in a high % of women, so hopefully you are one of them!!

[JanetF]

No method of induction, including chemical methods, will work if your baby isn't ready to be born. It is the baby's brain which triggers labour to begin because it needs to be ready and able to breathe without difficulties on land. This normally occurs sometime between 41-42 weeks when about 70-80% of women spontaneously go into labour.

Neaby a couple of fingers are inserted in your vagina and into your cervix (this can be really painful if you're not actually dilated at all) and the amniotic sac pulled away from the wall of the uterus. In theory it triggers a hormonal response and starts labour however as I said, only if your baby is ready to be born. They DO come out, they just don't do it to a timetable. :) The risk of rupturing the amniotic sac and infection are of concern to me.

[Angelmist♥]

Hi treightonsmum, I had a stretch and sweep with my DS1 at 8pm and he was born at 3.36am. Although I also had one with DD and although I had a lot of cramping and spotting I didn't go into labour naturally. (I was induced by pitocin drip 3 days later)

Here's a link you might find very informative

http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/sweepingMembranes.html

I have read that it can take up to 96 hours to get anything going.

Good luck with your impending birth:)