FTM induction 39 weeks

sebastianmylove

Hi ladies! So I'm 39 weeks and 1 day today and my doctor did a membrane sweep I'm currently 4cm dilated. Thing is I'm having extreme lower back pain and a lot of pain and pressure in my lower abdomen. So I was wondering has any one else experienced this? Did the membrane sweep actually work for anyone? Doctor said I would experience spotting and I have quite a bit of that. Any help would be great!

ordinary1

A membrane sweep is not an induction.

If you were ready to be in labor, a membrane sweep could put you in labor. For some it works and others a sweep doesn't.

ashiscute

I had one with my first and it hurt really badly but I don't remember extreme pain later.

As for if it worked I had it done on Monday and went into labor on Friday.

KaLyanDale

Actually a membrane sweep *is* a natural form of induction. No, it doesn't always work but neither does medical induction with synthetic hormones.

OP, to answer your question it sounds like your having contractions, which is the beginning of labor. Although this post is a couple days old so I guess you know by now If it was labor or not. Update?

janda426

KaLyanDale said:

Actually a membrane sweep *is* a natural form of induction. No, it doesn't always work but neither does medical induction with synthetic hormones.

OP, to answer your question it sounds like your having contractions, which is the beginning of labor. Although this post is a couple days old so I guess you know by now If it was labor or not. Update?

Actually no, it's not. It's a procedure done BEFORE anyone decides on an induction.

KaLyanDale

"Actually" yes. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/11405964/

I think you are confusing the term "induction" with "medical indiction." A membrane sweep is a VERY common practice used to induce labor. Many practitioners do this before a medical induction, yes, but that doesn't make it any less an induction method. It's actually a very common and effect form of induction used quite often by home birth midwives when a "post-due" mom is faced with having to transfer to the hospital for a medical induction.

I'm a birth doula and this was not only covered pretty extensively in my training but I've done my own research on it in addition to said training so I only kind of know what I'm talking about. Didn't go to med school or anything, though.

KaLyanDale

Oh but we can keep going if you want... It's been a while since I've had a good debate! I'd love to see some published information denoting membrane stripping as a natural induction method for sure! That would be interesting and maybe even entertaining!

Whitfry

The back pain could be back labor.

Amstreagle

KaLyanDale said:

Oh but we can keep going if you want... It's been a while since I've had a good debate! I'd love to see some published information denoting membrane stripping as a natural induction method for sure! That would be interesting and maybe even entertaining!

As per the Mayo clinic:
Strip or sweep the amniotic membranes. With this technique, your health care provider inserts his or her gloved finger beyond the cervical opening and rotates it to separate the amniotic sac from the wall of your uterus. This technique can be done during an office visit and doesn't truly induce labor. However, it might speed the beginning of spontaneous labor — especially if your cervix has already begun to dilate. You might experience intense cramping and spotting. If bleeding becomes heavier than a normal menstrual period, contact your health care provider.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/labor-induction/basics/what-you-can-expect/prc-20019032
Try not to fall climbing down that high horse of yours.

janda426

Nothing wrong with doulas but people need to remember they are not medical experts. They aren't midwives, they aren't doctors.

We had a doula guest speaker in my history of childbirth class in college and I remember she said so much false stuff my professor (a doctor in midwifery) had to go back and tell us what was false so we weren't confused. You really need to do your research with some doulas because some of them spout off info that's just downright dangerous if you believe them.

Amstreagle

So much for a good debate @KaLyanDale‌. I am so disappointed!