membrane sweep

bridetobe9132013 · April 2014

So I apologize if this has been asked before but I havent seen it anywhere. I had an appointment today and im 1/2 cm dilated and 40% effaced! Im so happy for something

I asked my dr about membrane sweeping and if it can start labor. She said that it can and we will do it at the next appointment when im 38+1. I read about it online a little but I want to know if anyone has had it done and if it did start labor shortly after.

bridetobe9132013 · April 2014

Ok that makes sense

thank you!

mommar13 · April 2014

I had one done monday at 38+3 to try and at least get things moving a little more. I was 1cm and 20% effaced. It didn't start labor for me, but that afternoon I had strong contractions for several hours. Nothing consistant though. Lost my mucus plug yesterday morning so I'm hoping it means I've at least had some kind of change. The procedure itself was uncomfortable and kinda awkward, but wasn't really painful. Dr said she'd do another on Monday at 39+3 if he hasn't shown up yet. Trying to avoid being induced with any kind of drugs and she won't let me go over 41 weeks.

fatbarbie0226 · April 2014

For my first pregnancy, my doctor said that if he does a membrane sweep and if it works, you'll go into labor within 24 hrs. If you don't go into labor, then the sweep didn't work. I tried to have it done at 39 weeks with Shorty but I wasn't dilated enough.

RachelCA29 · April 2014

It's very standard in my area to have them done starting at 38 weeks if you are already starting to dilate. There have been studies done that suggest they can help prevent the need for induction/going over too long your due date. In my area they are actively trying to decrease the number of c-sections (which are linked to the number of inductions) so it's standard practice for OBs here - although you can refuse them.

Source: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000451.pub2/abstract;jsessionid=039216C4ECE6F4624DC4320902021D12.f03t04

I will have my first next week if I am dilated.

At my appointment today my OB went over the procedure and said they "encourage labour" to start, but then she also said they can just plain start labour right away in some women, so I should be ready to have my baby within a day of having it done (which I am, since I'll be 38+ weeks).

bridetobe9132013 · April 2014

I guess I will have to just wait and see what happens! @Katie122491 how was it awkward? I need to prepare myself

bridetobe9132013 · April 2014

@RachelCA29 thank you for the link!

mommar13 · April 2014

Normally when she does a check it's just straight forward, in and out, no big deal. When she did the sweep, she had to actually do the sweep and go around in a circle, in my cervix, multiple times. Well baby had scooted back up to the -3 station from -2 the week prior, so dr had to shove her hand up to kingdom come to get in there. DH had the most amusing expression of pure horror though so it was worth it. That was his "oh shit" moment.

bridetobe9132013 · April 2014

My baby is at -3 right now so hopefully she will be lower by next appointment! The check hurt a lot today!

ckmalone79 · April 2014

It's kind of hard to remember all the details since DD is almost 5...my dr attempted to sweep my membranes at 39 weeks & 1.5 cm dilated but her head was positioned where she didn't feel she was able to do a full sweep. Went back the next day & able to accomplish a better sweep. Had decent contractions that day & woke up to about 7 min apart, timed all day until under 3 min apart. Experienced some bloody show around midnight so headed to L&D. Was still only around 2 cm but consistent enough contractions they kept me. Within an hr I was close to 4 cm so received my epi & within another hr my water broke & I was fully dilated! I believe it worked for me but it could've been helped w DH's prostaglandin juices

bridetobe9132013 · April 2014

@ckmalone75 that gives me hope that it will work for me

ckmalone79 · April 2014

I will def be trying again, no worse than a cervical check!

usernewname · April 2014

Whats a sweep? I see people saying it all the time, but I have no idea what it entails.

cnbean · April 2014

I had 2 or 3 sweeps done with my last pregnancy. It did nothing to start my labor and I was already dilated to a 3 when they did them.I had some contractions afterward but nothing anywhere close to labor. I still ended up going 5 days late.

However I don't remember it being that painful either. I'd do it again this time. Like everything else, it really only works if your body is ready.

bridetobe9132013 · April 2014

Ouch @Ashtog! I hope it works for you after all that

RachelCA29 · April 2014

ashtog said:

I just had a sweep and stretch done today at 38 weeks 2 days, and it was extremely painful.. I am 2cm, 50% effaced and she said my cervix is favorable so this may have worked. basically, she went up there like a regular cervix check, but then went up higher and lifted the membranes up and off the sides, circled her fingers around in a sweeping motion. then she just focused on stretching my cervix for about 2 min. it was so extremely painful, but hopefully will bring me one step closer to my baby boy..

2 minutes!? My OB said when she does it next week it's like 15-30 seconds ...

Miles2Go · April 2014

I had it done at 41 weeks last time. For me, it wasn't painful, just a little uncomfortable. I had a cervical check, and when it was done, I had forgotten to ask for a sweep, so I requested it and mw said she'd already done it. So mine was definitely not a horror story. Did absolutely nothing for me though.

momthatlifts · April 2014

A friend of mine had hers done and dilated from 3cm to 5cm within within the next day. Had her baby that next morning

LindsayB0505 · April 2014

At my 38 week appt doc asked if I wanted it done. I said sure and baby was born the next day!

andoll8 · April 2014

ashtog, i'm completely chickening out. i think i'll stick with the protaglandins/orgasm + rose hips tea route.

FTR: i'm a weenie. i'm ok with this.

spacepotatoes · April 2014

florassecret said:

Whats a sweep? I see people saying it all the time, but I have no idea what it entails.

@florassecret It's like what ashtog described. They use a finger to sever the membranes that connect the uterus to the cervix. The idea is that the hormones released from the separation can lead to labour.

Kris2011RN · April 2014

aimee223 said:
Will anyone's doctor do a membrane sweep for a VBAC? I know my doctor won't use any drugs to induce, but she's never mentioned this as an alternative.

I'm not dilated at all and baby is "way up there!" so it sounds like it's too early for me.

I would like know the same thing. I guess I will ask my doc wed at my appointment.

Country0202 · April 2014

I had it with my first one at 39 weeks. It didn't hurt, and I had baby that night. I was already at a 6 1/2 and 100% effaced, but wasn't having any contractions (at least not any that were bad enough to complain about). Had the sweep done at noon, had baby around 11 at night.

chelly2389 · April 2014

I'm getting one done on Tuesday. (Ill be 40 weeks by then) as of now I'm 75% effaced and 2 cm dilated. I'll let you guys know what happened after if you want to know

RachelCA29 · May 2014

I just thought I would update - I had my first check and sweep done today. I was very happy to hear I'm already at 3 cm! It's nice to know now so that if I have to go to L&D we have a bench mark number. I had the sweep done and I love my OB even more, she asked me like 3 times before she stated to be sure I wanted it done and was okay with doing one today. I appreciated her asking.

The procedure was like 30 seconds, it wasn't the best feeling in the world, but not painful. It was just a lot of pressure really. She said she could feel the babies head! I have some cramping now, but nothing worse than I've been having most nights anyway. And she warned me I would have some bleeding, but nothing a panty liner won't handle.

bridetobe9132013 · May 2014

Thank you for the update! I will have mone on Monday. I walked 2+ miles twice this week so far and ive been sitting on my exercise ball so im hoping I have progressed since last appointment!

Lild09 · May 2014

Was offered by my midwife to have it done at my next appointment - I'll be 39 and 6. A friend of mine had it done and delivered the next morning very early she was really over due though like 41 and 5 I think?

Still thinking about it. From what I've read there's no complications from it outside of cramping and maybe some bleeding. I'm hoping to go before...I've been cramping a lot and I had some bloody show the other day ...hoping using walking, sex and a homeopathy called easy birth will help me go before then!

LeeLee86 · May 2014

Just had it done at my 39+2 apt. 2cm and baby is super low. I'm def having cramping front and back (no bleeding or plug) but I don't expect anything to happen soon. I'm pretty sure she's gonna be a late arrival. Did not hurt just felt pressure.

miniray · May 2014

aimee223 said:
Will anyone's doctor do a membrane sweep for a VBAC? I know my doctor won't use any drugs to induce, but she's never mentioned this as an alternative.

I'm not dilated at all and baby is "way up there!" so it sounds like it's too early for me.

My doctor is. I'm having one done Monday at 37+5. She won't medically induce either but will do the membrane sweep. She recommended it as we want to try all we can to have baby come on his own and avoid a rcs.

Eta: At my last appointment at 36+1 I was at 2cm, 60% effaced and -2 station. She didn't want to do it then because it was too early but said if I made it to my next appointment she would offer it.

boymum2014 · May 2014

I had a half sweep yesterday, I've been 4cm for over a week & turn 40 weeks tomo. Nothing has come of it yet, it just caused some cramping no biggie but will get a full sweep next apt at 40+4

RedInLove · May 2014

I really think that if I'm offered this at my next appt, I will decline. I haven't had a cervix check yet, I think that will be enough. Maybe once I'm past 40 weeks, or at least the 2nd cervix check so they have some progress to show for justification. I'm not in a rush here.

jessicastanley · May 2014

One of my OBs did this Monday night during my induction to help speed dilation. (Baby had three very bad NSTs) oh boy. I was not prepared (she didn't announce) and I actually could only laugh at how much it hurt. If I had been prepared it would have been a different story.

bridetobe9132013 · May 2014

I thought I would do an update on my experience with the sweep I had today. She originally said she couldn't do it because I was only dilated to fingertip. She asked if I wanted her to try and I said yes. It hurt so bad! She kept asking if I wanted her to stop because she felt bad. I told her no. Well she made me 1 cm and there was blood all over the table. She says im very tough and should be ok during labor lol now im just crampy and feel more pressure.

momthatlifts · May 2014

Since it's been bumped. Had mine done at 38 weeks 1 cm 60% effaced and went in to labor the next day

dlallain · May 2014

I had a "mini" sweep today. Just crampy no blood. She mentioned being able to fell my water sac so I hadn't been leaking....Not as dilated as I was hoping I'm almost 2cm and cervix is cone shaped not sure what that means. I'm so ready to have Kira here already!!! Oh I'm 40w1d.

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