![]() Going into a slow labour might also mean you are seeking out pain, as reassurance that things are happening. This can lead to tension, restlessness and tiredness – not a great way to feel when you go into actual labour. You might have some hormonal changes, some cramping or spotting, but labour does not start for a few days. You might start to doubt your body’s own abilities, which could make hypnobirthing less effective.Ī stretch and sweep could also send you into a false or slow labour. Next, is you could go through the procedure, only for it to not work. Some argue the more vigorous the motion, the more likely it is to work. It can make you feel pretty uncomfortable having a stranger put their fingers inside your vagina. Just because you are not ‘favourable’ then, that could all change in half an hour.Ī big downside of a stretch and sweep, for many women, is the actual process of having one. Your midwife will only be able to tell you how your cervix is at that moment in time. If this happens to you, please remember there is no timeline on pregnancy and birth. This can be demoralising, especially if you are fed up of pregnancy, or under pressure to have the baby soon. So before agreeing to a stretch and sweep, you must first be prepared to hear that you might not be favourable for going into labour soon. If this has happened, you will be deemed ‘favourable’. They do this by feeling your cervix to see if it has moved and/or gone soft. ![]() What are the cons of a stretch and sweep?īefore you have a stretch and sweep your midwife will first try to assess if you are ‘favourable’ to go into labour soon. But if she was 41 weeks, maybe she would have gone into labour at that moment anyway. ![]() A woman could have one and go instantly into labour. This is because for women who have had one, there is no way of knowing what would happen if they had not had one. There is no reliable evidence to prove whether a stretch and sweep works or not. However, anything that has the intention of starting labour before your body and baby are ready is an induction of labour. You do not need to take medication or drugs. Technically it is not a form of medical intervention. ![]() Is a stretch and sweep a form of induction? Either way, it is always best to do your own research and decide for yourself what course of action is best for you. Some midwives will not explain, and presume you will have one or try to convince you to have one. Some midwives are great at explaining the benefits and risks of having a stretch and sweep. They then use a circular movement to try to separate the membranes of the amniotic sac from your cervix, in an attempt to kick start labour. Your midwife or doctor will insert two lubricated, gloved fingers into your vagina. (Dates can vary by area, and by midwife). Firstly, before we go over the pros and cons of a stretch and sweep (also known as a membrane sweep) – do you even know what it is?! It is a procedure, usually offered to pregnant women around 41 weeks, but can be as early as 38 weeks. ![]()
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