What happens after the stretch-n-sweep?

[LeAnnie]

Can anyone say what this feels like afterwards? I'm expecting to drive to myself OB appointment Wednesday,which is 45 minutes away, but am worried I'll feel really crampy or better yet, get some contractions going right afterwards. If that is the case, I'll try to get someone to drive me. DH is in a last minute work panic and is trying to get out of that duty. I was wondering what to expect, based on those who've had a strip/sweep done.

[MamaFern]

ive walked home each time after.. i was a bit crampy but okay.

[flyingspaghettimama]

I haven't had it done, but a good friend of mine who did said that she was very, very crampy afterwards (she had a 15 minute drive home) and went and laid down immediately. So you might try to rope your husband into duty anyhow.

I imagine it's different for everyone...but some people apparently have strong reactions.

I love the term "stretch 'n' sweep" though - sounds like a cleaning product. Stretch 'n' sweeps your cervix in seconds flat or money back guarantee! Get yours today!

I might consider it except for the GBS positive thing. It makes me nervous, being GBS positive.

[spiritmomma]

FSM: I, too, am GBS+ and was wondering if S&S was even an option for me. I have a midwife appt. today and was going to ask her. I have already opted for the IV of antibiotics... still... Don't want to increase my risk factors.

[LeAnnie]

[. Stretch 'n' sweeps your cervix in seconds flat or money back guarantee! Get yours today!

[/QUOTE]
LOL! It does sound like a miracle cleaner! Thanks, I needed a laugh...

[flyingspaghettimama]

spiritmomma, I would like to hear what your MW says. My MW does not think it's a problem, but those anecdotal stories of prenatal GBS infection do sort of worry me, even though I know they are not scientific studies (which I can't seem to find any of). I was thinking of posting on the I'm Pregnant page about it and see if any moms had problems with GBS and stretch 'n' sweeps ("Having problems with your lady business? Try a Stretch 'n' Sweep, everyone else has one!")

[flapjack]

Personally, based on how I'm feeling, I'd say get an epidural (not for the birth, just the s&s) and a hearse home. I truly believe that anyone who gets this done more than once a pregnancy is completely, totally and utterly nuts.
On the bright side, however, I have yet another embarrassing anecdote. I had a fit of the giggles DURING the s&s, I was so nervous (once she was sweeping, so to speak, and it didn't hurt so much any more) and then accidentally kicked her in the head as she took her hand away. Apparently, I'm one of a kind... but I really wish I was making my life up.

[AmyGirl28]

I had it done with my last pregnancy. It hurt, and I lost my mucous plug like the day after. It didn't put me into labor. It didn't start painful contractions. I was GBS+ and did the antibiotics. This time I am not dialated so they can't do the S&S. Hope this helps. You will probably/most likely be able to drive yourself home from the appointment. But everyone is different.

[HoneyTree]

: Helen, you are too much!!! : I am picturing a slight woman whose head reverberated a bit there for a moment when your foot struck, and whose hair is, unbeknownst to her, mussed a bit where your foot landed. Me, I would have erupted into an even more violent fit of giggles after this happened -- slapstick humor gets me every time. I've had plenty of opprotunities to employ it myself these last few months -- It is so hard being the picture of serene, graceful maternity when one is wielding limbs that can barely be seen over huge round bellies. Thanks for sharing!!!

[MamaFern]

i dont think it did anything for me. this baby just wants to stay put for a whyile longer.. i wouldnt do it again if i have another baby, knowing that it didnt do anything and was unpleasant..

[flyingspaghettimama]

did you accidentally kick her or "accidentally on purpose" kick her, as my daughter would say?

Thanks for asking the question, and the feedback. Sounds miserably horrible, GBS positive or no. I want things to be coming OUT of the cervix, not going IN. Perhaps I should post some road signs.

[flapjack]

It was entirely accidental: and yes, I feel dreadful. She probably wasn't even 5ft tall, very slight and I'm a sturdy northern lass at the best of times: when I'm pregnant, I'm more like an elephant.
BUT, 4cm dilated, contracting every 3-ish minutes and under instructions to go have sex and have an early night Touch wood, it might have worked.

[Bex80]

I had an S&S today, wished I would have seen this thread...It wasn't too painful, it made me bleed ever so slightly and I have been crampy ever since.

My MW said that they don't do it for GBS+ women. I wasn't really paying attention to her explanation of why, I was looking at the fetal growth chart on the wall :

[ldsapmom]

It has never really affected me, but I do know I have felt "tingly," for lack of a better word, after it was done -- maybe for just an hour or so. I will probably have her do it tomorrow, too. I figure it can't be any more invasive than having sex all the time! I have doubts that it works for me, though.

I have seen doula clients be really badly affected by it, with no progress, so I know it is not always a good idea.

[spiritmomma]

Well, well...
I got the s&s today at around 4:45 and it wasn't too bad. Maybe I am just a bad ass or something (although I'm not a weinie, I don't think my pain tolerance is tremendously high either) but it really didn't hurt. The MW said I was completely effaced and about 1cm dilated. She stretched me to 2cm and swept the bag of waters. She said she felt baby's head and that the BOW was slightly bulging. There was a slight bloody show. Afterwards, I was a tiny bit tender and felt like my legs were attached to my hips by rubberbands!
I had been having slight contractions all day, but about 20-30 minutes apart. After the all new and improved Stretch and Sweep, the ctx were more powerful and coming 15, 10, and then 6 minutes apart.
Now it seems I am having ctx every 7-10 minutes about 30 seconds long.
I'd say mission accomplished. Or should I say, "The contractions just keep coming! Thanks, Stretch and Sweep!"
Could tonight be the night? :

[flyingspaghettimama]

spiritmomma, your DeLuxe description of the fabulous S&S tempts me! I am easily persuaded by the first-person narrative. My heart says yes but my brain says no! It is a heck of a lot cheaper than repeated acupuncture sessions...they're bleeding me dry. (har har)

What did your MW say about the S&S and GBS? That's the main thing I'm worried about. That, and I am a big freakin' wuss about pain that won't get me anything. Like say, a baby.

[gonnabeamom]

I've had I guess three, and they all caused contractions, and some cramping, but no labor. I didn't find it really painful, but it was intense

Sex on the other hand, caused bloody show and the whole shebang to get started, though it's stalled at the moment. I would say if you do get the S&S, you should have sex afterward, because it's way more fun

[flyingspaghettimama]

Ok, I buckled in to peer pressure and got it done tonight. It was FAB! Am I being sarcastic? Oh yes I am. Actually, it didn't really hurt, just feel uncomfortable. And I seem to be bleeding a lot. I assume this is normal.

MW's tip - go home and have sex too. Have baby tonight. Newest BPP not so good. Pressure, much?

[Slackermom]

I had the S&S yesterday, and it didn't hurt as much as I'd prepared myself for. I was told to go home and have sex, and I obediently did. THAT hurt more than the S&S. Right now, I'm hoping it made a difference. I've been feeling "off" all day, and have been having fairly regular contractions all evening. My last labour was so weird that I don't know what early labour is like, so I'm just bouncing on my birthing ball, hoping something like a bloody show happens soon!