Had a membrane sweep at 38weeks today but only 1cm dilated? Cervix still long? Will it work?

chrissyskisses3

Hi everyone this is my 4th pregnancy and I went to my 38wk appt today..no progression since my last appt since I am only 1cm dilated and was told my cervix is still long/thick. I am suppose to get induced at 39wks since I am 39yrs old and a prior induction with my last one due to low fluid. The doctor did a membrane sweep today (never had one done) little uncomfortable but I feel fine no contractions etc..Seems like I've been pregnant forever! Is my lack of progression because it's my 4th? What are the odds the membrane sweep will work? I rather go into labor on my own than to be Induced again because it was very long and painful but it doesn't look promising especially when my cervix is still long..Any advice, stories would love to hear them!

shellbell3845

I'm guessing if you're 38wks and scheduled to be induced at 39wks you won't be pregnant forever, but that's just my opinion.

Also, could you add some words to your title so I know what this post is about? It only takes up half my phone screen the way it is now, so I'd definitely like it to be longer.

AKAP2010

With DS I was 1 cm and has my membranes stripped. Bled after that, had sex the next night, lost my mucus plug then went into labour the next day. I am currently 1 cm and 50% and dr wants to strip my membranes next week! I'm all for it! Hopefully baby will be here by the first week in feb!

PeachLove25

Sounds like you only have a week left if you're being induced at 39?

littlepig2

PeachLove25 said:

Sounds like you only have a week left if you're being induced at 39?

)

chrissyskisses3

Rach521 said:

PeachLove25 said:

Sounds like you only have a week left if you're being induced at 39?

A week before getting induced doesn't seem like a long time away but I rather go into labor on my own than get induced again it was very painful, and contractions were much stronger. I was looking for some glimmer of hope that my body will go into labor on its own lol!

)

mdr619

FlightView said:

I'm not sure I'm much help, as a FTM I came back from my appt and was told my cervix is 1/2 shortened. No dialtion/effacement. Baby is at a -3, so I feel ya on the feeling like being pregnant forever! But I'm only 37w4d so he's still got time to bake! Good luck to you, I would think the 4th would come easier/sooner because your body might know what to do? That could be a load of crap on my part, like I said, I'm no help

Correct me if I'm wrong...but if your cervix is 1/2 shortened, isn't that the same as being 50% effaced?

chrissyskisses3

Doctor said my cervix is long and thick still but 1cm dilated not sure what that means as far as labor progression? Then stripping of membranes wont really work then right?

RondackHiker

chrissyskisses3 said:

Doctor said my cervix is long and thick still but 1cm dilated not sure what that means as far as labor progression? Then stripping of membranes wont really work then right?

Have your other pregnancies been vaginal births? You seem surprisingly unfamiliar with how this works.

Dilation and effacement tell you nothing about when you'll go into labor. You can walk around mostly effaced and several centimeters dilated for weeks, or go from locked up tight to active labor and baby in hours.

We don't have a crystal ball. Sometimes stripping membranes works. Sometimes it does not.

RondackHiker

Also, why do you need an induction? You said it's because you were induced with a previous pregnancy? I don't think being induced before means you need induction again.

iwubrory

RondackHiker said:

Also, why do you need an induction? You said it's because you were induced with a previous pregnancy? I don't think being induced before means you need induction again.

If it does then my doctor sure is dropping the ball. Maybe I should just go get some castor oil and take matters into my own hands..

chrissyskisses3

All of my pregnancies have been vaginal. All my 3 children have been early. My first born was a fast delivery no complications (18yrs ago) and with my second he swallowed meconium so he was hospitalized for weeks. With my 3rd I went in for a nst and was admitted for low fluid and they were afraid the same would happen to my daughter as it did to my son so I was induced with picotin and had her 24 hrs later it was a vaginal delivery but oh my was it so long and painful and that pregnancy was 7yrs ago lol! My doctor wont let me go over 39wks due to high risk and my age is a factor. I have never heard of a membrane strip until today.

chrissyskisses3

Thought about castor oil too..but I don't want to be on the toilet (srry tmi) and have it not put me into labor.

iwubrory

chrissyskisses3 said:

Thought about castor oil too..but I don't want to be on the toilet (srry tmi) and have it not put me into labor.

Um, I was joking...

chrissyskisses3

I'm not going to take that I know what it does.

chrissyskisses3

iwubrory said:

chrissyskisses3 said:

Thought about castor oil too..but I don't want to be on the toilet (srry tmi) and have it not put me into labor.

Um, I was joking...

Lol so was I!

mdr619

@flightview I'm a FTM so I'm not completely certain, but from what I understand they are the same thing.

Effacement is the process by which the cervix prepares for delivery. After the baby has engaged in the pelvis, it gradually drops closer to the cervix; the cervix gradually softens, shortens and becomes thinner. You might hear phrases like “ripens,” or “cervical thinning” which refer to effacement.

https://americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/effacement.html

VeronicaAnn143

Oi vey.

funchicken

I'm confused. Do you have low fluid? Is your doc doing weekly NSTs and AFIs? Just because you had low fluid last time doesn't mean you will again. I'm AMA, too, and I'm just getting extra monitoring--they won't induce before 40 weeks just because of my age.

RondackHiker

mrszee2b said:

I'm confused. Do you have low fluid? Is your doc doing weekly NSTs and AFIs? Just because you had low fluid last time doesn't mean you will again. I'm AMA, too, and I'm just getting extra monitoring--they won't induce before 40 weeks just because of my age.

And just because a previous baby swallowed meconium doesn't mean this baby will.

I do not see why she needs an induction.

Mazingmommyof6

I am over 40..... My doctor wants to induce 2 days before my due date....if I am still pregnant because at age 47 the placenta function slows down...in order for the hospital to ALLOW induction I have an NST 2x a week. They check fluid at each check up. Don't let a doctor sway you to induce because they can fit you in their schedule easier.

chrissyskisses3

I too get nst tests every week in the office along with a biophysical profile and fluid check right before my weekly checkup. I've never had so many tests done in this pregnancy because of my age. My doctor is very cautious with everything.
Well 24hrs since the membrane sweep and no change so far...guess my daughter is really comfortable in there.

chrissyskisses3

RondackHiker said:

mrszee2b said:

I'm confused. Do you have low fluid? Is your doc doing weekly NSTs and AFIs? Just because you had low fluid last time doesn't mean you will again. I'm AMA, too, and I'm just getting extra monitoring--they won't induce before 40 weeks just because of my age.

And just because a previous baby swallowed meconium doesn't mean this baby will.
I do not see why she needs an induction.

Doctors induce before your due date due to complications women over 35 can have...high blood pressure, low fluid, placenta eruption and stillbirth.

chrissyskisses3

TyrannosaurusLex said:

chrissyskisses3 said:

I too get nst tests every week in the office along with a biophysical profile and fluid check right before my weekly checkup. I've never had so many tests done in this pregnancy because of my age. My doctor is very cautious with everything.
Well 24hrs since the membrane sweep and no change so far...guess my daughter is really comfortable in there.

Then why bother posting?

chrissyskisses3

I thought this was a pregnancy forum? I don't mean to be rude but you went on this post. I was only getting advice from other pregnant women who are going through or been through the same thing.

funchicken

chrissyskisses3 said:

I'm confused. Do you have low fluid? Is your doc doing weekly NSTs and AFIs? Just because you had low fluid last time doesn't mean you will again. I'm AMA, too, and I'm just getting extra monitoring--they won't induce before 40 weeks just because of my age.

And just because a previous baby swallowed meconium doesn't mean this baby will. I do not see why she needs an induction.

Doctors induce before your due date due to complications women over 35 can have...high blood pressure, low fluid, placenta eruption and stillbirth.

I understand that there are increased risks, thus the extra monitoring, but if you don't have high bp, and NSTs, fluid and the placenta look good, I don't think it's necessary to induce prior to 40 weeks based on age alone. Just my opinion.

gfam23

TyrannosaurusLex said:

chrissyskisses3 said:

I too get nst tests every week in the office along with a biophysical profile and fluid check right before my weekly checkup. I've never had so many tests done in this pregnancy because of my age. My doctor is very cautious with everything.
Well 24hrs since the membrane sweep and no change so far...guess my daughter is really comfortable in there.

Bahahaha TLex I just literally spit out my drink laughing.

Firefly9

You are 38 weeks pregnant, you won't be pregnant forever. You don't need an induction. I wish I could GIF on my tablet, so this will suffice: *eye roll*