WWYD? Membrane sweep.

[Deleted User] · October 2014

I know there's been a million annoying threads about membrane sweeps, but this is not one of those Bump-as-Google posts. I've done plenty of googling on the topic and asking other moms' advice, as well as mentioning it in yesterday's randoms thread. This post is literally a WWYD if you were in my position question. I don't know why I'm having such a hard time with this! If this is truly a no-brainer decision, you can just tell me so. Or flame away, that works too!

Anyway, my first cervical check was at my 35 week appointment, and I was 1 cm dilated and 90% effaced. I didn't get checked again until 38+4, and I had progressed to 2 cm (still 90% effaced). I opted not to get checked at my 39+3 appointment yesterday, because I have another appointment coming up on Tuesday and will probably get checked then (I will be 40+1). Best case scenario of course, is LO decides to come all on his own this weekend. But naturally, the universe knows that's what I want to happen, therefore it most likely will not. At my Tuesday appointment (if I'm still pregnant), my doc and I will discuss induction dates (she also offered have me induced on that day, which I declined since induction one day past due seems kind of hasty). So I'm wondering if instead I should request the membrane sweep. Mostly my hesitation comes out of fear of the pain, which I heard from my best friend is pretty darn awful. She got her membranes stripped for two of her pregnancies, and it only worked with one. So I kind of wonder whether it's worth the pain/discomfort when there's a really good chance it won't do anything anyways? On the other hand, if there's a chance that it could get things moving since my cervix is already pretty thinned and I'm 2cm dilated or more by then, maybe it's worth it. The thought of being pregnant into November really bums me out, and I'd rather not be induced.

Sorry if this is kind of long and rambly, I just don't know what to do. My DH doesn't want me to do it because he thinks it sounds scary (he keeps calling it "membrane scraping", haha), but he is also completely clueless as to what it is and what it does. He's been with me at pretty much every appointment so far because they're always on Thursdays and that works with his schedule, but my doc's birthday is on Thursday next week so she won't be in office, which is why I'm going in on Tuesday. So DH not being there also makes me a little uneasy, but I've read that if the sweep does help kickstart labor it usually isn't until hours later anyway. Oh! And for those who have had it done, how long does it take? Does the doc just do it quick while checking your cervix? Would I want to call the office ahead of time and let them know I'd like to have it done, or is it something I can request when I meet with the doc?

pnwlover12 · October 2014

It takes just a few minutes, and it does hurt, but it's manageable.

Honestly, it's a total crap shoot. I had it done at 39+4 and 40+4 and nothing has resulted from it.

golfingdarwinfish · October 2014

If you're 90% effaced it may be worth doing the sweep. If you're worried about doing it alone is there anyone else that can go with you to the appointment?

You should be able to request the sweep when you meet with your ob - it doesn't take long and it is often done during a normal appointment without arrangements having to be made before hand, similar to a cervical check. If your ob is going to check your cervix anyway this won't add much time to the appointment.

kindacrunchy · October 2014

I had it done at 38 weeks as a last ditch effort before being induced for pre-e. I was 2cm and "soft" my doc was pretty hopeful it would kick start things since my cervix was favorable but it didn't. It didn't hurt much worse than a normal cervical check, just felt a little pinching. It did give me some contractions and caused me to lose my mucus plug but that was it. I'm glad we tried it though, I have no regrets even though it didn't work.

goldengirlamy · October 2014

I'm 40+1and have had two with a 4 cm dilated cervix but 50% effaced and it's done nothing for me but cause me false contractions. Everyone is different and the body will respond differently. For me it just doesn't seem to work but for you with a nice effaced cervix it may be worth a try. The procedure doesn't hurt, it's just uncomfortable. After you might feel sore and cramping but if your not going into labor it will subside in a few hours.

zachswife91809 · October 2014

I decided to have him sweep mine at 40w. I was 3 cm. My thinking on it was that I would rather at least try it if it would bring labor on naturally rather than continue to run a risk of an induction. Ive read a lot on here that if your body is ready for labor, then it will work.

FWIW, I dont think it hurt any more than a regular cervix check. It just took him a little longer and it was uncomfortable but nothing too bad. I was very crampy the rest of the day tho. He swept me on Monday morning and I went into labor late Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. Theres no real way of knowing if it worked or if it was coincidence since I was past due anyway.

Tl;dr I would do it. It cant really hurt!

Eta: Im not a dirty lurker! Im a sort of reg but TB signed me out and I couldnt remember my regular password/sign in. I keep trying to log out of this account but it is not doing it. Sorry!

[Deleted User] · October 2014

Thank you, ladies! This is really helping to ease my mind. Doesn't look like I have anything to lose by giving it a try, even if nothing comes of it. I think I'll do it!

rosalie12 · October 2014

I had it done at 38+1 because I was going to be induced the next week and I was already 3cm, 90% effaced. I started having early labor contractions a few hours later, which continued for a couple of days, and ultimately had the baby a little more than 48 hours later. It was painful for me, not going to lie, but it was nothing compared labor itself. You can breathe through the pain and it's pretty quick. I was in favor of doing this because it was as close to a "natural" induction as I could get, and we figured if the baby was ready to come, then she was ready to come.

The sweep itself is done during the cervical exam, and if took a few minutes. I would say it wouldn't hurt to try, especially since you are full term and would be ultimately getting induced if labor doesn't happen on its own anyway. However, as PP have said, a lot of people don't go into labor after membranes are swept, so try not to be disappointed if it doesn't work! Baby dust to you!

sheluvs2travel · October 2014

I had one. It took less than a minute and was very uncomfortable, but was not as painful as others have suggested. Mine didn't start labor, but it did help me to start losing my MP. It couldn't hurt to try it.

miss.brittany · October 2014

I didn't think it hurt at all during the process. But it didn't work for me and just left me even more annoyed. I had my cervix checked for the first time on Tuesday (40 weeks 5 days). I was told I was almost 5 cm dilated. Midwife did a membrane sweep. Today is Friday and I am now 41 weeks 1 day. I am STILL pregnant. I regret doing it because it didn't work and it left me crampy and with contractions all day but no real labor and no baby. It just put me even more on edge about "is this it?" and I'm not even a FTM!

rawr1131 · October 2014

I had my membranes swept at 40+1 and went into labor 6 hours later. I didn't think it was painful, just uncomfortable. No worse than a cervical exam!

Dancecreationgrl · October 2014

I had it done dilated to a 1 at 37+4 (Wednesday) due to high blood pressure I went into labor the next evening (Thursday) and had my daughter Friday night. It hurts but it's manageable. Nothing compared to actual labor. I am glad I did it.

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