membrane sweeping

selockar · April 2012

Anyone had this done before? If it worked what cm were you at? How long did it take to go into labor? My OB wants to get things moving, so she has recommended doing this on Thursday. She doesn't do internals until 38 weeks, so I don't know where I'm at yet. At my appointment Thursday I'll be 38w 4days.

blueshamrock7 · April 2012

I haven't had it done. If my OB suggested it past 40 weeks, maybe, but not at 38/4. Obviously, it's up to you & your OB and I'm not flaming, but I'm just curious since I haven't gotten to that point... why does she want to "get things moving" now? Are you having medical issues?

jroby9 · April 2012

My OB suggested the same thing for next week, at 38 weeks. She is concerned about the size of the baby and as she says "wants to give me the best chance for a vaginal delivery." However, this also depends on where my cervix is as I haven't had an internal since 34 weeks.

From what I've read it seems that if it works, labor can start within 24-48 hours. But I really think it depends also on how ready the baby is to come out. There seems to be plenty of people who have it done and nothing happens. I'm really not too sure what to make of it.

I should add both my husband and I were 9lb babies...FWIW

Deannabee78 · April 2012

I had that done around 39 weeks with my 1st DD. I was already feeling some contractions that morning but it did throw me into full-on labor a couple of hours later and I ended up delivering her the next day. It was a little painful but probably more so for me since I was already feeling some steady contractions.

Juleslynn79 · April 2012

I had it done several times with each of my last two pregnancies and it did nothing for me.

[Deleted User] · April 2012

i've heard "good things" about this... going to ask about it on Friday during my appt... i'll also be right around 38w4d... also going to get an induction massage on thursday afternoon! dr said it was okay w/ her! sounds good to me!

bellelamb · April 2012

I had it done three or four times with ds and it did nothing within the 48 hour time period but I did go into labor before the induction that was set for 41 weeks by three says. My dr started doing it early 38 weeks last time since it will only help start labor if your body is already ready and I REALLY wanted to avoid induction.

KristenS09 · April 2012

I am having this done at my 39 week appointment. Dr. offered to do it yesterday at 38w but i declined. I'm a FTM and need more 'mental' preparation time. However I am aleady at 3cm and 70% effaced. My Dr. feels this will be very effective to start my labor.

selockar · April 2012

blueshamrock7:
I haven't had it done. If my OB suggested it past 40 weeks, maybe, but not at 38/4. Obviously, it's up to you & your OB and I'm not flaming, but I'm just curious since I haven't gotten to that point... why does she want to "get things moving" now? Are you having medical issues?

I had a c-section with ds. VBAC's come with different restrictions. My ob is ok with me going to 42 weeks, but would prefer to get things going to give me the best chance of having a vaginal delivery. She also won't do anything other than membrane sweeping to get things going. If I fail to go into labor on my own I will have to have a rcs.

blueshamrock7 · April 2012

sarahe101:
blueshamrock7:

I haven't had it done. If my OB suggested it past 40 weeks, maybe, but not at 38/4. Obviously, it's up to you & your OB and I'm not flaming, but I'm just curious since I haven't gotten to that point... why does she want to "get things moving" now? Are you having medical issues?

I had a c-section with ds. VBAC's come with different restrictions. My ob is ok with me going to 42 weeks, but would prefer to get things going to give me the best chance of having a vaginal delivery. She also won't do anything other than membrane sweeping to get things going. If I fail to go into labor on my own I will have to have a rcs.

Thanks for explaining! Good luck with your VBAC - I hope it happens for you!

misstorie0304 · April 2012

I had it done at 38 weeks, 1 day. It was painless and quick.

mrsbecky07 · April 2012

Why does she want to get things moving if she has no idea where you actually are? Maybe you are dilated and effaced "enough" for 38 weeks. Personally I would not be okay with my doc sweeping my membranes at 38 weeks or even 39. If at 40 weeks or later they want to discuss it, then that's something different. But at 38 weeks, as much as I want to be done, I dont see the need for that (of course assuming there IS no other medical reason for doing it.)

selockar · April 2012

Thanks ladies! Hopefully my body is ready to go, and LO will be here this weekend! Which would be my original due date.

SHOPPRINCSS · April 2012

It HURTS... just want to prepare you. It is basically them putting their finger between your skin and the placenta...and it feels like it. I had it done with 1st LO at 38 weeks, I was dialated to a 2 and 100% effaced. My water broke 4 days later and I ended up being in labor for 36 hrs on pitocin for 24 and never progressed past a 3 in dialation. My drs excuse, my water broke on accident. I'm not blaming the stripping of the membranes, but I always caution people...your body will go into labor when its ready, you can't speed things up. That seems silly and I bought into it. Especially if your not 40 weeks yet, 40 weeks is a pregnancy not 38 you know? Sorry to be harsh I'm 37 weeks and grumpy lol

bellelamb · April 2012

SHOPPRINCSS:
It HURTS... just want to prepare you. It is basically them putting their finger between your skin and the placenta...and it feels like it. I had it done with 1st LO at 38 weeks, I was dialated to a 2 and 100% effaced. My water broke 4 days later and I ended up being in labor for 36 hrs on pitocin for 24 and never progressed past a 3 in dialation. My drs excuse, my water broke on accident. I'm not blaming the stripping of the membranes, but I always caution people...your body will go into labor when its ready, you can't speed things up. That seems silly and I bought into it. Especially if your not 40 weeks yet, 40 weeks is a pregnancy not 38 you know? Sorry to be harsh I'm 37 weeks and grumpy lol

This is not correct, they put their finger between your cervix and your bag of waters. If the were between your skin and placenta they would be IN your uterus and would cause dangerous bleeding for you and lo. Plus if your water broke four days later it wasn't the membrane sweep, effects of the sweep are felt with in 48 hours since all it does is help reliese octytosin sp??

davisas2323 · April 2012

Seems odd that they would want to do this before they even do an internal to see where you are. Unless you have a medical reason to be "induced" in any fashion, including having your membranes stripped, I don't know why a doctor would do this before 40 weeks? The chances of your baby being "too big" to fit through your birth canal are very slim, that's what your body is designed to do.

However, it's definitely a personal choice and I'm totally not flaming you at all. I just think it's important to have all the info from your doctor before they do any procedure.

In Hypnobabies, we're taught an acronym to help guide us through any medical decisions if they arise, it's called BRAND. B (benefits of procedure) - R (risks) - A (alternatives) - N (nothing - as if, what if we do nothing and D (discuss and decide, meaning you and your partner with no dr. in the room). Maybe use this to talk it out with your doctor, I think that will help you make an informed decision as to why they feel this is an option for you. Good luck!

Want a personalized experience?

membrane sweeping

Re: membrane sweeping

Choose Another Board

Search Boards