membrane sweep at 1 cm dilated. any success?

momthatlifts

So I asked around but what I have found is woman having the same question as me. I've also done some reading and can't find anything that says exactly when doctors do a membrane sweep per dilation, but more just depending on how far a long you are.

So I went to my 38 week appointment today and I was still only 1 cm. My doctor then made it very clear that I could be 1 cm for a very long time and suggested sweeping of the membrane. Now I had one friend tell me that her doctor wouldn't do it until she was further dilated because there was nothing to sweep and another friend telling me she had it done at 1 cm and went in to labor the next day.

My question is, has anyone had any success with a membrane sweep with this little of dilation? Or can anyone shine a little light on my confusion? Does it matter how far dilated you are?

RaeJ004

Can I ask why your doctor wants to sweep your membranes at 38 weeks? 

Tweeks23

I had it done at 38 wks with my first and was 1cm dilated and it did nothing, had it done at 1cm dilated at 39 wks and went into labor that night. Also had sex that night and I think that helped.

momthatlifts

RaeJ004 said:

Can I ask why your doctor wants to sweep your membranes at 38 weeks? 

Well besides me being induced at exactly 40 weeks due to high bp, I don't know. She offered to do it and I just took her offer

ncbelle

I agree that it makes no sense to do a sweep thus early even if you need to be induced in two weeks. A sweep really is only going to do something if your body just needs a small nudge...and that's unlikely at 38 weeks. Plus if you aren't needing to be induced immediately it makes no sense to try to get things going.

momthatlifts

ncbelle said:

I agree that it makes no sense to do a sweep thus early even if you need to be induced in two weeks. A sweep really is only going to do something if your body just needs a small nudge...and that's unlikely at 38 weeks. Plus if you aren't needing to be induced immediately it makes no sense to try to get things going.

Getting a sweep at 38 weeks is not unheard of. In fact, it's a lot more common than you think. Kind of side eyeing that, but what's done is done and I gave her the permission.

vincoand

I had it done with DS at 39 +5days and 1-2 cm dilated and my water broke the next day but I never had contractions and needed pitocin. I had it done again today at 40 weeks and 1-2 cm again... So we'll see!

momthatlifts

Interesting. From what I've read it's a hit or miss. I'm pretty sure it won't really do anything for me, But the question still lingers.

vincoand

Yeah my doctor offered it only because I brought it up. She didn't seem to think its really all that effective, but I figured it was worth a try since it sort of worked last time.

momthatlifts

Yeah neither did mine. She said she could try it and see if it helps any but I'm not holding my breath lol

momthatlifts

Kimbus22 said:

I had mine swept at 39 weeks. I was 1 1/2 cm and baby's head was crazy low.  It's 5 days later and no labor though.

Yeah she could feel her head too. We'll that's good to know then, I like to hear other experiences!

cMichelle0423

I got my membranes stripped at my 39 and 40 week appt with DS1 and it didn't work either time. I think i was between 2 and 3 cm dilated both times.

Beckel84

Had it done at 40 wks 1 day and 3 cm. I had been have mild contractions since Saturday, inconsistent in timing (3-30 mins apart) but never stopping. Had the sweep on Tues a.m. For me, it was very painful, very bloody, and gave me bad cramps that confused me because I was trying to differentiate the cramps from contractions to time the contractions. The cramps made me unable to sleep that Tues night. I did go into active labor Wednesday and had LO Thurs a.m. But was then exhausted from not sleeping per the cramps, not contractions. It did seem to push me over the edge, but since I had already been contracting, I might have gone by myself. I regretted doing it because I could have used that sleep to have the energy for labor. Will not be doing it again.

PrimRoseMama

At 41 weeks I got my membranes swept with DS. I was walking around at 5cm waiting for active labor. He was born the next day. I'm not sure if I was just ready or the sweep helped.

FWIW, I think 38 weeks is way too early. You are not even full term!

gutsysneakers

I had a membrane sweep at my 39+1 week appointment - I was only 1 cm and no effacement. I had sex that night night and the next day - went back 3 days later for another appointment and now am 2 cm and 30% effaced. 

FWIW, my OB will only do a membrane sweep if you are 1 cm or more. 

The membrane sweep releases hormones (same kind that happens when you have "eviction sex" and man ejaculates) that may kick-start labor. I think the reason my OB waits until his patients are at least 1 cm is because it has a greater chance of working if cervix is already softening and dilating for labor. 

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BKD1386

When I went for my 39 week appt the Dr was going to do a sweep, but unfortunately I wasn't dilated at all.  No dilation, no sweep... hoping for progress this week, I really don't want to be induced!  

MaybeKatie10

I had it done at 1 cm and went into labor within 2 days...but I was already 40 weeks along. 

elle_tee19

At my 36 week appointment my midwife said she'll offer me a sweep at my next (38 week) appointment... I didn't think anything of it. I guess everyone (OB/midwife) is different?

fsumom

I agree with @ncbelle

My midwife suggested a cervical check for my 38 week appointment and possibly stripping my membranes if I'm dilated.  I do not see the point in it being done 2 weeks prior to my due date.  I also will be declining cervical checks until I'm due.  At 40 weeks, I'll possibly be okay with a cervical check since I'm trying for a VBAC and my OB does not want me to go past 41 weeks.  

momthatlifts

Sorry didn't mean to go mia from my post. Been having contractions and finally went to l&d. Sure enough my blood pressure was so high they admitted me regardless of my dilation. But I was dilating and about 90% effaced.

Thanks all for sharing your experience! I know a few people who told me they got stripped at 38 weeks and 1 cm but I have always had questions like some of you have been saying about doing it do early. It sounds like each doctor is different.