[libbylu]

I saw the hospital Ob today and she has booked me in again at 39+5 and wants to do a stretch and sweep then.
Last time I went into labour with DS at 39+4 so I may go before then, but she doesn't want to leave it beyond 40 because she doesn't like to let IVF pregnancies go on too long. I am also trying for a VBAC.
What are people's experiences of a stretch and sweep? She said 'it's just like taking your blood pressure' but I'm not sure I believe her!
If you were close to full term, how long did it take for labour to start?

[Water Dragon]

I've not has a S&S, but from all accounts I've heard it's incredibly painful and invasive. It's not something I'd be looking to get. Why won't she "let" you even get to 40 wks? That needing-to-do-it-because-of-IVF stuff sounds like baloney to me...

[allthiseffortpai...]

I had a S&S today, it's not painful, just uncomfortable.

Just like a vaginal exam, then they rotate their fingers to stretch and sweep you. Takes about 10 seconds.

They don't 'send' you into labour, they can help it progress though.

This is my 2nd (had my 1st S&S last week)...

[libbylu]

Thanks Waterdragon - I think she'd be happy to let me get to 40 weeks but I am in the Tuesday clinic, so it's either 39+5 for an appointment of 40+5 (the joys of the public system) - she was thinking that if we left it to 40+5 it might be getting a bit late. I am assuming it is a procedure she would just do in the appointment rather than having to be booked in as an inpatient for like a drug induction?

[Lambert]

I had a s&s at 40 + 4 and DS was born the next day.
I was prepared for it to be awful, but it was really not that bad - as uncomfortable as a Pap smear.
I think it is easier if you are already slightly dilated. I was about 2cm and had mild pre-labour for days.
I would have another sweep if I went over 40wks.
Good luck!

[Noah's mum]

I had no problems with the stretch and sweep I had for DD, it wasn't painful just uncomfortable I was 40+3 and already 4 cm dialated. Didn't go into labour until 54 hours after though.

[SizzleNix]

I had a stretch and sweep with my second child on the day that he was meant to be due. The stretch and sweep was pretty uncomfortable and hurt a little but not to badly, I just closed my eyes and gritted my teeth till it was over.

My contractions started that afternoon mildly and continued on through the night, I didn't sleep at all that night because I was excited to be experiencing a natural labour as I was induced with our first child.

By 7.30am we were dropping our dd at daycare and heading to the hospital. Once at the hospital things progressed very quickly and our son was born at 9.00am. It was a much easier birth than my first and I am grateful that the stretch and sweep got things started and I didn't have to be induced again.

[SizzleNix]

Double post sorry

This post has been edited by SizzleNix: 29/01/2013, 06:59 PM

[MyPrincess]

I've had a stretch & sweep for two of my pregnancies. My first DD I was 38 weeks & my ob did a S & S as I was going to be induced the next day (due to low amniotic fluid). He did it at about 9.30am and my waters broke at about 4.30pm the same day with contractions starting at about 6.30pm, and DD was born just before 9pm that night. Then with DD2, my ob (different ob this time) gave me the option of having one done or not and I chose to have it done. That was done at 39+4 at about 12.00pm. I had mild contractions during the afternoon and evening that then died down until I went to bed (around 1am) when they started up again. My waters broke at about 3.30am & DD2 was born just after 4.00am. So again I went into labour shortly after having the S & S.

The S & S is just done in the ob appointment (so no special booking required) and as a PP has said, I found it not much more differently or much more uncomfortable to a pap smear. For me I have gone into labour the same day but I know for many they don't. I guess you need to do what you are comfortable doing and if a S & S isn't medically necessary and you don't want it done, don't agree to it.

Good luck for your upcoming birth!

[feliz6]

I found the stretch snd sweep to be very uncomfortable- actually a little painful. Shortly agter there wad some bright red blood which the obs said is normal. I still had to be induced a week later.