Strech & Sweep??

I'm 39 weeks pregnant and desperately hoping for a VBAC. At my last appointment with my Ob he suggested we try a strech & sweep at my next appointment (i'll be 39 +5 and he'll only do it if i'm 100% comfortable with the idea). The plan is that it will help bring on labour. At the moment i'm really not sure wether I should try it or not, did anyone here have one? What was the outcome?
I should add that DS1 c/section was due to breech plus a heap of other medical issues with me at 37 +5 - where as this pregnancy has been the total opposite, with not issues what so ever, bubs is 3/5 engaged.

has your ob put you on a time limit for your vbac?

if not then i wouldnt do it, if he has well i would probably do it(but if i was put on a time limit i wouldnt have him as my CP so really it isnt a hard decision for me)

Hi Boo,
S&S is ok with a VBAC, my Dr was going to do it for me at 41 weeks but my cervix was so high & closed he couldn't reach it. I went into labour 3 days later anyway.
I did have a S&S with DD1 but I honestly can't remember how long it was after that before I went into labour, I think it was only a couple of days.
It is usually quite uncomfortable but bearable; kind of like a really heavy duty pap smear ;)
I do wonder if 39+5 days might still be a bit early for bub? How long will your Ob let you go past 40 weeks?
All the best :)

Mmm I would give it a miss if you can. Why hurry? Obs are often in a hurry! You are still considered full term at 42 weeks - as long as there are no concerns about the baby/your scar etc...

I think leave it all well enough alone. S & S's only help if your cervix has softened I think and your body is ready to go anyway. My Ob did one last time with me and it didn't do anything - I ended up with a forced induction and DS was so clearly NOT ready to come out yet.

Let your body do its own work. All the best!

In my experience as a midwife a S&S only really helps faciliate labour if your already about to go naturally or are in early labour and it helps notch it up a gear. If bub isn't ready it wont speed it up what so ever.

Thanks for the replies - my Ob has said he'd let me go until 41 weeks then he would break my waters, if nothing happens then it would be another c/section. I have been getting come mild cramping here and there, not sure if this means my body is getting ready for the real deal? I truly hope so!
I think i'll do a bit more research on S&S's before I make my decision, thanks again.

Hi Boo,
Im 36wks and also going for a VBAC, my OB has alao said he'll do a S&S. Ive had mixed 'advice" on it but im going to give it a go, if it helps than its worth it. Ive been told that bub is big and if i dont go into a progressive labour by 40wk + 10days then its a CS again :(


Good luck!!

TryingLikeCrazy - i'm in the same boat as you, they have told me bubs will probably be bigger than DS1 and he was 9pd 12oz - Ob offered me another scan last week but I declined, told him it didn't matter the size of bubs I was still going to try a vbac regardless! I'm leaning towards trying the S&S, hopefully it will bring a positive outcome.

Ladies, FWIW my VBAC was 10lb8 ;) so size is not necessarily an obstacle (and she was 41+3, as well).
Wishing you both all the best :goodluck:

boo - I had a s&s at 38w4d when I was getting heaps of cramps and had dialated to 2cm, it hurt like nothing on earth I have felt before! But 6 hrs later my waters broke and I went into labour by myself. My VBAC ended when I couldn't handle the pain anymore and ended up c-section again. But when they took bubs out she was prosterier and stuck in my pelvis :( Hope everything goes well for your next appointment.