I did it with DS and it didn't do anything for me except that it was uncomfortable at the time. I opted out of it for DD because I know that the baby will come when it's ready regardless of what I do to speed it along.
I was told that it would only help if baby was ready to come anyway. When I was pg with DS2 and trying for VBAC (so I couldn't be induced) they tried it at my 38 and 39 week appointment. My cervix wasn't open enough for them to really do it and it didn't work. At my 40 week appointment I was dilated enough for them to really do it, I went into labor 12 hrs later.
If your body isn't on the cusp of starting labor chances are it won't do anything but other than the initial uncomfortableness of having it done it can't really hurt. If you aren't a couple cm dilated I probably would wait though.
There are some studies supporting that population based it reduces the rates of going post dates, but there is no evidence it "puts you into" labor. Personally I've had it done with all 3 starting at 38 weeks but I don't have great feeling in my cervix so it doesn't really bother me to have it done, I've done it to others who have me stop after they count to 2 (out of 10).
5/08- blighted ovum, spont ab;
2/20/09- epi, VAVD, Girl! breastfed 24mo;
10/10- blighted ovum, spon ab;
12/10- no fetal pole, Cytotec;
11/20/11- unmedicated SVD, Girl! breastfed 18mo;
11/7/13- unmedicated SVD, breastfed 18mo; 2/11/16- unmedicated SVD, exclusively pumping to at least a year.
It worked for me with my first, went into labor the same day. My doctor tried to do it again yesterday at my 38 week appointment and because I wasn't dilated, she was not able to. I'm all for it! GL
I had mine done last week at 38w. I was almost 4cm and 75% effaced before the sweep and it didnt work for me. Ill be doing it again today at my 39w appointment, hoping for a better outcome this time.
it was uncomfortable, but it stopped hurting once she was finished, and it was over so quickly there was really no reason for me to be nervous about it.
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Re: Membrane sweep
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DD - Juliana Joan - Born October 27, 2010 - My Little Princess

BFP 1/14/13 - M/C 1/22/13 @ 5 weeks
BFP 3/20/13 - EDD 11/11/13
it was uncomfortable, but it stopped hurting once she was finished, and it was over so quickly there was really no reason for me to be nervous about it.