WWYD? Prodromal labor. Membrane sweep.

Mahmah3

I've been contracting on and off for a week and a half for 10-18 hours at a time without going into active labor. My dr offered a membrane sweep on Thursday 2/19. I'm due Sunday 2/22. I was induced with my first two 1 day early and 9 days late (low fluid, water broke and ctx stalled) and had a membrane sweep 6 days late with my third (had her 20 hours later). Would you go ahead with stripping my membranes or wait? It seems like my babies like to cook a bit longer.

em4iowa

Personally, I'd wait until 41 weeks to do the sweep. That's my plan anyways. I'm totally over being pregnant but I like to do things as natural as possible. Plus, it does seem like your babies like to cook

michellemock

I have the same due date as you (2/22) and my midwife is willing to do a sweep on me at my appointment tomorrow, if my cervix allows lol. I'll be having my cervix checked for the first time tomorrow and I am hoping I'll be dilated enough for a sweep! Everything I have read online and heard from my doctors office says a sweep really won't do anything unless you're on the verge of going into labor anyways.

matthew22415

My doctor swept mine today and Im due next Tuesday!:/

camilu87

I'm not due until Friday (20th) and last week my doctor went ahead and did a sweep. My cervix wasn't opened much so doubt it was too effective but I don't see any harm in aiding your body if the doctor is comfortable doing it.

Also just a side note, my baby is measuring large so my doctor is especially hoping baby comes early if not on time. So that factor may be a key reason my doctor was ok with attempting a sweep a week early.

taymy8

I am also due 2/22. I've been 100% effaced and fingertip dilated for a few weeks now, but he's just not dropping. He's measuring pretty big apparently so My dr mentioned doing a membrane sweep at my appointment today to see if that will speed up his process. I'm hoping for the best Bc I do not want to have a c section.

Ceefome

Membrane sweep generally falls into the category of it really won't do much if your body isn't ready.

Mahmah3

Thanks for your replies ladies. I'm leaning towards waiting, as much as I'd love to have this be over and holding my baby. From what I've read, the prodromal labor is trying to get baby in the right position. I want a natural birth and I'd be afraid if I encouraged labor sooner than baby is ready then I could end up with interventions I don't want. On the other hand, I understand that a membrane sweep is unlikely to work if not ready anyway. But I'd be so disappointed in myself if it went wrong before my due date. If I have to do it later to avoid induction, then that's a different story. I never want to be induced again. It was way too rough compared to labor that began with a sweep.

matthew22415

My doctor did a sweep to me last Tuesday at my 38 week appointment and it Sorta hurt. Wasn't really expecting it. But I was 2-3cm dialated and ever since I've had horrible lower back pain. So I wouldn't suggest the sweep. Try walking and doing squats I've had a bunch of women tell me it really works. I wish I could do some squats, but if I did, I wouldn't be getting back up without some help! Haha!! Good luck!! @Mahmah3‌

hawynne

How common is prodromal labor? I've had prodromal labor for eight days (today I'm 39+3) due on 2/23, dilated to 4, 80% effaced but progress is really slow - maybe half a cm every day or two. Same situation, trying to figure out of we should sweep or wait. Cord prolapse kind of freaks me out too. I'd never been warned about the potential of prodromal labor - had you heard about it before you actually went through it?

Mahmah3

No, I hadn't heard of it before now, which I find surprising since this is my fourth baby! It sounds like your body is making more progress than mine. I'm almost 2cm and 75% effaced. I decided to wait until after my due date and my dr was fine with that. I'll have an ultrasound on Monday and likely a sweep next Wednesday. I don't have any major complications, but I do have spd and it can be excruciating at times. Going to the chiropractor has helped manage it mostly.

Cord prolapse does sound scary, but fortunatley it's rare. What makes you worry about it? I do have a lot of cervical pain and it feels like I have a tampon in the wrong way or falling out sometimes, but this baby is super low and has been for a while. That's what made me look it up before.

mommie2bof6

I've had two sweeps due on 25th but she's big. They have helped dilate me a lil but nothing major. I have strong irregular contractions mainly in the evening. If your body isn't ready fot labor sweep most likely won't do anything. My girl is at -2 station so doctor thinks that's why things have not progressed more.

hawynne

Ugh yes, between having the "fake" labor (there's nothing fake about it!), a still posterior cervix and a baby that won't fully engage - I'm about to lose my marbles. I feel like the prodromal labor has worn me down so much while I still have a marathon to run! I've read that women who have long prodromal labors have really short real labors (not music to your ears when you live a ways away from the hospital!). I just feel like if I had had some warning about prodromal labor I would have dealt with it better ... Like trying to sleep through them more instead of obsessively timing them. My midwife prescribed a glass of wine (lol! Thanks a lot!). Best of luck to you all, may your labors be just short enough and your pain be easy to handle!