I had 3 "sweeps" which I think is the same thing before I went into labor. However, I was only 40 weeks even, 0cms dialated with a long thick cervix to start out with.
By the time my MW finished the first sweep I was 3 cms and 50% effaced like instantly. By that night I was convinced I was in labor (this is my second baby too and I also had the first naturally at home). Midwife came, I was 5-6cms and 75% effaced. I labored through the night and by morning my contractions were pretty much gone and stayed gone (besides strong BH contractions that I'd had for months anyway). That was a Thurs afternoon I had the first sweep. MW came back Sat. morning to check on me and we decided to do another one. By that afternoon I was feeling again like I was in labor but just rode it out and again by later that evening contractions were gone. Sunday went by and on Monday was had a Non stress test just to see how the baby was tolerating all this. MW did another sweep in the hospital. She said they are cummulative so that even if the first few don't seem to working they each do their bit and finally something happens. Mind you, could just be time passing too. So once again before we even got home from the non stress test contractions started and by early evening they were gone. I mean real contractions that I had to breath through. It was uncomfortable to by lying down during them or being in the car was difficult. BUT, that same night at around 11:30 I started getting them again and I delivered at 1:55am. Of course I was in denial until about 12:30 because of all the false starts.
It was weird to be walking around for 4 days 6 (stretching to 7 cms) dialated. But i would take those 4 days over the hard 12 hours of labour I had with my first son. I had a sweep with him too and did go into labor within 48 hours. Who knows right? Maybe I would have gone anyway?
Good luck! One thing is for sure. There's a baby in your very near future, stripping or no stripping. So exciting!
