Your opinion on membrane sweeping

melszum · October 2014

So today I am 39 w 5d. Dr said that if I didn't have the baby by today's appt they could do membrane stripping/sweeping. I am on the fence about it. Would kind of like the baby to come naturally but if dr is recommending it then might as well take her up on the offer to attempt to get the baby out without a full induction post due date right? What's your opinion?

katerpie · October 2014

With my first they did a sweep while i was in the hospital to see if they could get my labor started before they induced me. then laying in the bed not even 5 minutes later my water broke and my labor started. I liked doing it that way but everyone is different. I will definitely do it again if it is offered. Good luck!!

Saragoeswest · October 2014

Is there something unnatural about a sweep?

katerpie · October 2014

No what they did for me was just use a finger to loosen and break some of the membranes that were blocking/holding my sac in tact so tight. then with my next contraction my labor was started. They will either use a finger or a straw like tool to separate the membranes. It was uncomfortable at first but for me it was totally worth it!

rawr1131 · October 2014

I'll be doing a sweep at 40w to try to avoid an induction at 40w5d. I thought it was a natural method to (potentially) help kick start things... and certainly more natural than full induction. If it works, it will work within 48 hours. You could wait until you're past 40w if you're hesitant.

[Deleted User] · October 2014

I'm not sure what to think about sweeps. My best friend had her baby 2.5 weeks ago, and she got her membranes swept a few days before her due date, and again a week later. Nothing happened either time and she ended up having a hospital induction.

The sweeps just don't seem all that effective and I've heard they hurt like hell, so I wonder if they're even worth the trouble. Of course, I'm hoping to go into labor on my own the week leading up to my EDD so I won't have to worry about it.

Liss1481 · October 2014

I had it done twice with DS1, and it didn't do anything. That being said, I'll definitely try it again if I'm at my due date/overdue again this time.

[Deleted User] · October 2014

crawford411 said:
I did it today. Prodromal labor for weeks and I'm 5cm, 90% effaced, and miserable. It was quick and painless.

Really? You didn't think it hurt?

megsandjohn · October 2014

I had a stretch and sweep done yesterday and it didn't hurt for me either. Contractions today that are getting more intense
ETA: I was 2-3 cm, 75% effaced

loopybaby · October 2014

I had it done with both previous pregnancies and it didn't do anything either time. It was not painful, just slightly uncomfortable. I think if you're close to being ready then it may work but if not, it won't. I will be trying again this time if I go over and it's offered.

[Deleted User] · October 2014

Ok, you ladies saying it doesn't hurt that badly are making me feel a bit better. Maybe I will consider it if I near my due date and nothing is happening yet. I heard horror stories about how painful the cervical checks were too and I didn't think it was so bad. :-??

JessAnnJ · October 2014

I had it done and it caused my water to break and contractions never started on their own even with lots of walking so I ended up with and induction, vacuum extraction, and terrible tearing. I had it done at 40 weeks and would not do it again. Maybe at 41 weeks if I knew I was about to have an induction anyway.

It did not hurt more than a normal check for me.

noellemari · October 2014

I had it with my second and had her within 16 hours. I didn't find it painful. I was already 3cm and figured it will either work or it won't. And I was looking at an induction shortly anyway if it didn't work. I'll do it again this time when offered.

2goingon3 · October 2014

I had it done with my second and my son was born 24 hours later. It was uncomfortable, but not painful, and my labour was as natural as could be. I liked it way better than the induction experience I had with my first, and I'll definitely do it again this time around.

That being said, every body is different so everyone will respond differently. My anecdote means almost nothing!

FinntheHuman · October 2014

My doctors have not mentioned this but from reading about it I would refuse until it's time to pick an induction date, which will be discussed Monday I'm assuming

fingers crossed for baby this weekend!

Emerald27 · October 2014

I was considering it because of the possibility of needing to be induced prior to my due date.

I probably would skip it before 40 weeks, and then I would prefer to only do it if I were already dilated to 3 or so, or as a means of avoiding induction.

BreandMikewedding · October 2014

A sweep will help if your body is ready to deliver. If your body isn't ready then it isn't going to do anything.

There is a chance that it will accidentally break your water but if the dr does it correctly it doesn't force your water to break and instead allows your body to move along with labor and your water will break whenever your body gets to that point in your labor or if they need to break your water once you have progressed in labor. I hope that all makes sense.

nightowl1989 · October 2014

My doc doesn't do it for GBS+ so I won't even get to find out, but my cousin got hers stripped and was still over a week late.

savicke2009 · October 2014

I had it done at about 40 weeks- maybe 39 with my last- I was 2-3cm dilated and 80% effaced & went to 40+5

so didnt work for this chick

hecklet · October 2014

I had mine swept at 38 weeks. I don't feel like it did anything. Felt just like a cervical check..

Maggie6424 · October 2014

I had it done with DS1 at 38 and 39. It HURT because I was only 1-2 cm and it was my first child. It did nothing and I was induced at 39.5. The check at my last two appts was uncomfortable, but nothing compared to with DS1. I'll probably asked to be swept at 38 this time.