Clicky Poll for STMs+: Membrane Sweep Edition

bewilderingstar

When did you go into labor after having the membrane sweep done?

The first option was "<12hrs" but TB made it blank...

Big+Lil

Mine was a week ago, still waiting.

shamyfowler

The first time I had them swept I think was a week before due date,.  It might have been a little longer than a week, I can't really recall, nothing happened.  Then I had it done again at a scheduled appointment when I was 40w + 5d and I was actually in labor.

jcartz

Mine was Wed, still waiting. I will have another one Tuesday.

LyndseylovesHugh

With DD I had them swept twice, about a week apart and was still barely 1cm when I had to get induced.

nolongerdinks

I had mine swept with DD2 at 39 weeks, 6 days. I was already 4 1/2 cm dilated and about 80% effaced when my OB did it. I think I was likely almost ready anyways, but hadn't had a single contraction- even Braxton hicks. Contractions started within 3 hours of the sweep and we went to the hospital about 16 hours after the sweep and she was born less than 20 hours post-sweep!

alyss0nl

I had it done twice before I went into labor. My OB this time around does not do them.

bewilderingstar

The reason why I am asking is because I'm going in on Thursday at 39w5d to get it done. I've had random little contractions here and there and a shit ton of BHs daily. As of last Friday, I was 1cm dilated and he had been head down/lower than my cervix for a few weeks now. Fingers crossed this works!!

Thanks for participating ladies! for those getting the sweep done this time around, I hope it works for you!!

iris427

I've never had it done before but I'm thinking of having my doctor do it at my appt on Wed. It sounds painful though.

Nicole3&counting

From what I understand it only really helps to jump start labor if you are ready to go anyway like nolongerdrinks was. Otherwise I don't believe it really does anything.

Pooka8

It wasn't an option last time. The MW offered last week at 38 + 2 and I declined. I'll be 3+1 at tomorrow's appt and will probably let her.

darkangel42

I was overdue and it did nothing last time. It was another week til baby made her appearance (on the day of the induction, 4 hours before the appointment)

This one came early so a sweep wasn't necessary.

argonne

I was swept twice (at 40w and 41w) and it didn't do crap.  We were trying to avoid induction at 41w4d (I had GD and their policy is to not let GD pregnancies go more than 11 days overdue).  Apparently my sweeps were done by the best MW in the office (at membrane sweeps) and I didn't even have a contraction from them.  It was pretty uncomfortable, too.  I think DS was just very cozy in there. 

sparks2987

I had it done at 38 weeks with DD, nothing came of it other than the uncomfortable sweep, a few contractions and spotting afterwards. I then waited another 2 weeks before she came.

I figure if offered this time when we are closer to the due date, I will get it again. Anything to help get this baby out, even though I know it is not likely to help unless I am already close to having him.

jennp1979

I had it done last Tuesday at 37 weeks...I had contractions for 2 days and lost my mucas plug but nothing since...we go again tomorrow and determine if we will do it again based on dialation

bewilderingstar

You girls aren't giving me any hope....

alyssa719

I just had a chat with one of the doctors about this today - she said that the new info is saying it does nothing (besides provide some pain if you're into that). 

At this point, I'm thinking sex might do approximately the same thing without having someone shoving their hand up your vag?  I dunno, I'm still processing since I had planned on getting this done at 39w, and am now looking for the info to back-up what she said.

unaveragejane

alyssa719 said:

I just had a chat with one of the doctors about this today - she said that the new info is saying it does nothing (besides provide some pain if you're into that). 

At this point, I'm thinking sex might do approximately the same thing without having someone shoving their hand up your vag?  I dunno, I'm still processing since I had planned on getting this done at 39w, and am now looking for the info to back-up what she said.

Wow, I don't know what kind of sex you're having if it is the same as a sweep! Maybe I'm crazy, but I thought the idea of sex helping with progression is that the semen softens the cervix. With sweeping, the membrane on the amniotic sack is swept away from the cervix. In my experience, the doc really digs around in there and it's far more, err, invasive.

OP, I hate to be another party pooper, but I was swept with DS a few days before my due date, and I don't feel like it really kick-started anything. I was swept again twice while in the hospital in labor, but I stalled out around 3cm and still wound up needing cervadil and petocin.

alyssa719

@unaveragejane - Soooo.. by the comparison, I meant that both options would do roughly the same amount of assistance to get things moving, not necessarily the same method to make it happen.  I'm pretty sure DH would be too terrified to try to make it do even close to the same as a doctor would.

Lhalliburton

I declined at 37 weeks, but I'll be having it done at this week's appointment (38+5). I'm nervous. Cervical checks didn't bother me with my last pregnancy, but the OB doing my sweep really dug in. *shudder at the visual*

unaveragejane

@alyssa719 - Oh, okay, I see what you meant now.

But FTR it would have been hilarious if you played the "I like really rough sex" card. (Yes, I am probably a 12-year-old boy at heart.)

alyssa719

@unaveragejane, honestly, I debated it in the response back to you.  ;P

unaveragejane

@alyssa719 - Yes! Immature senses of humor for the win!!!

iris427

So I just got stripped. It actually didn't hurt at all or feel any different from a regular cervical check. I'll let you all know if I go into labor today.

bewilderingstar

How are you feeling @iris427 ?

Pinksundrops

alyssa719 said:

@unaveragejane - Soooo.. by the comparison, I meant that both options would do roughly the same amount of assistance to get things moving, not necessarily the same method to make it happen.  I'm pretty sure DH would be too terrified to try to make it do even close to the same as a doctor would.

Both a membrane sweep and sex are supposed to release prostaglandins that are supposed to help start labor, too. I'm thinking lots of sex versus a sweep might release more prostaglandins. Have been telling DH he needs to build up his stamina
.

Any change @iris427‌ ?

iris427

@pinksundrops @bewilderingstar

Went into labor that night!  It could have been a coincidence but I'd the stripping worked for me.

MississippiCatfish

Wish I could change my vote from "just show me the results."  Membranes swept 7/3 at noon.  Contractions started about 18 hours later, Baby showed up about 36 hours after the sweep:)

youreggoispreggo

My doctor asked me if I wanted this done when I was at my 39 week appointment but I declined because I didn't really know what it was and wanted to do some research. I think I'll have it done at my next appointment (40+1d) and see what happens.

How many of you felt more pain than a normal cervical check? I know it's totally different but I'm remembering how uncomfortable I was after having Mirena inserted and wondering if I should have my husband come with me to drive home.

unaveragejane

youreggoispreggo said:

It hurt, but the pain subsided quickly enough for me to drive myself home.

ARogers26

Getting my sweep Thursday. 39 + 3. We will see if it works!

Cass533

I had my membranes swept last Thursday, and it did cause me to lose my mucus plug, but so far, almost a full week later, no labor yet. At my OB appointment tomorrow I will have him do it again, and hopefully it will get things moving, otherwise my doc said he will be scheduling an induction for next week, as he doesn't like his patients to go longer than 41 weeks. Here's to hoping the next sweep will work and I'll avoid an induction!

Mrs.DeRuysscher

I'm hoping to speak to my doctor tomorrow at my 39 week apt. Being as far along as he says I am i'm hoping it works. I find every day my body getting more tired from the constant false labor contractions. I'm hoping to avoid being induced.

youreggoispreggo

Had mine swept around 2pm today. It wasn't much more uncomfortable than a typical cervical check and I haven't felt any contractions or any differently since. Scheduled for an induction in one week so there is still time!

drunkenhandstand

Had mine done Wednesday (38+3). Bloody show started about 18 hours later and has been continuing until today. I'm now at approximately 50 hours past the sweep and besides the show, no signs of labor

ashy85

I had my sweep one my due date and it worked! I was 3cm and 70% before sweep. I started having contractions 6 hours after the sweep and had my squishy 48 hours after the sweep. It was a lot if contractions and cramping but it was totally worth not having to be induced. Good luck moms