Are any of you doing this!?

Frostycake2011

  "Membrane sweep"

   I have been looking online, trying to get all my terms straight. Also doing a little research on signs of labour, false labour and what exactly does it mean to be "very soft, baby's head really low and 2 cms dilated". It means nothing. Ahaha. But as far as baby's station and effacement, I was trying to brief up on it with some good pictures or diagrams. Since I've been reading, and I recall being in my end trimester and peeking over onto the 3rd trimester board, What is this "membrane sweep".

   So I googled it. Are any of you getting a membrane sweep before your doctor goes ahead and induces you (weither it be for over due or a medical condition). Have you decided to try it since it's a little more natural? I know it may not lead to anything but if it's a good first step and I do over due, I am definitely concidering it as my 1st option.

   Also, How many women do this earlier then "Overdue". I mean, what's the reason? Just because their uncomfortable ? Up until this point, I didn't really understand what a sweep was. What do you ladies know about this? Is this your 1st method of natural induction when the time is right?

lageorgiapaperie

I'm 99% positive my doctor did it when she checked me before sending me to L&D. I was already 5 cm dilated but wasn't having many contractions. I had been checked previously, and the last time was the only time it was painful. I also spotted a bit when I went to the bathroom 20 minutes later. Real contractions also started right after I was checked.

I'm glad she did it even though it was kind of painful. I'm sure it made my labor move a long much quicker, Harry was born 9 hours later (with the help of pitocin b/c I was put on mag sulfate). 

ksmit062

Yes, I think I will be opting in.  My doc office offers it starting at 39 weeks, however they won't do a true induction until 42 weeks! I'm totally fine with him staying in as long as he needs to, but there's no reason to go to 42!  So as soon as they say I can, I'll prob try it.  My doc said it's similar to the stimulation that sex would cause.  They kinda put their finger in and swirl it around above your cervix.

sparkles0687

Im not sure what the reason was but my sister had it done before her due date (I think she was 39 weeks)  and she had her son the next day.  I also had a friend who was a week past her due date and they did t for her and it didn't do anything.  I will probably try it if I'm about 39 weeks and they offer to do it.  

MrsT2008

If they offer it, I'll let them do it.  It doesn't force your body to do something it's not ready for, so I don't see the harm in doing it.  I've read that if it's going to work, it will within the first 24-48 hours, or else it won't do anything.

DaisyKD

If they offer it I will do it, but I've heard it only works if your body is really close to going into labor anyway.

My sister had it done with my nephew and had her baby within 14 hours, so I guess it does sometimes work. 

Linds1224

I definitely will if my doctor offers to do it. I had it done twice with my son .. once a few days before my due date and once when I was 5 days overdue. I went into labour the next night after the second attempt and avoided my scheduled induction. I'll definitely do it again to try and get labour going once I'm full term.

DiademChi

Unless I'm very overdue, or my labor has significantly stalled, I'm not going to use any intervention.

chankins14

My MW will do it once I am over 40W.  At that point, since I want to VBAC & am "on the clock", I will have her do it.  It is a "natural" induction method.  I'm pretty darn uncomfortable now but I won't do it before I am considered overdue & that's just because my MW will start bringing up RCS & doesn't want me to go past 42W.