Membrane Sweep

kamcbride19@me.com · November 2014

Doc said I would be getting a membrane sweep (if I want), on Monday.

Has anyone had one? Are you getting one?

I heard it's possible to go into labor within 48 hours of getting one.

I also heard that it's painful. Just wondering!

runningmama14 · November 2014

How far along are you?

I'm considering getting it done at my appointment tomorrow. I'll be 1 day away from 39 weeks and I have gestational hypertension. Going past 39w has risks for me, but I would really like to avoid induction.

Membrane sweep can speed up the process, but sometimes it just causes a few days of crampy discomfort and you are still pregnant.

If there isn't a medical reason for it, I personally wouldn't have it done prior to 39 weeks.

kamcbride19@me.com · November 2014

I'll be 39w 2d at my appointment and my doctor suggested it because of some of my medical history.

FishyMom · November 2014

I talked to my doc about it today. I am planning on getting one next week at 39 weeks. I have heard it just speeds up the process IF your body is ready, if it is not ready then it is more campiness. I think it is a personal decision but I am looking forward to it next week, personally.

shindylahoe · November 2014

Baby #1- barely dialated a fingertip, membranes swept at 39 and 40 weeks. Baby didn't come until 41w 1d

Baby #2- dialated to a 2, membranes swept at 39 and 40w, went into labor the second time with in 24 hours.

Baby #3- dialated to a 3, membranes swept 40 weeks, nada. Birth via AROM induction at 40w 5d

lesliegolem · November 2014

I had my membranes swept at 40 weeks with my first. I was 3 cm dilated and didn't even feel anything! Just felt like a normal pelvic exam. It didn't work though and I ended up getting induced a few days later.

With this one they haven't mentioned doing it yet. I'll be 39 weeks this Friday. I think I'll let them do it though if they offer because if the baby isn't ready to come, even with a membrane sweep she won't. Also I'll be full term then.

I wouldn't let the Dr do it before 39 weeks just to be safe unless its recommended for some medical reason or based on medical history personally.

soulcupcake · November 2014

My experiences:

#1: I had an aggressive VE at 37 weeks. My induction was set for 38 weeks and change. The doctor said to also do lots of walking to further things along. I was 5 cm and 80% effaced. (this was almost 10 years ago when 37 weeks was considered full term) I was induced ahead of schedule at 37w6d. It did cause some light cramping and spotting.

#2: I visited L&D at 39 weeks when I thought I might have been leaking. Membranes were intact, but the midwife offered to strip my membranes since I could be easily stretched to 4 cm and was 70% effaced. I had a very pliable cervix, but needed to be a solid 4 cm to be admitted. She said I could leave for a few hours, do some walking, and return to get checked. She advised to grab something to eat before returning. I did as she suggested. The nearest place to do some walking was Wal-mart.

We figured we'd do some last minute Thanksgiving shopping. I felt a ton of pelvic pressure during that time, but no contractions. Nothing out of the norm. We headed back after getting a bite to eat. I got back, but the midwife was busy, so I waited... a long time. She checked me and discovered I was 5 cm with a bulging bag (I informed her of my history of having a big dilation, 7+, before the onset of labor) There weren't any beds available so I waited and walked the halls. I was checked before admitting me and was 6 cm, and still no labor. They were not sending me home due to my history of precip. I got admitted, AROM, and waited. Made it to 7 cm with no contractions. I eventually started in transition. She was born 32 minutes after the start of "labor."

#4: Induction was planned for 39w2d. Stripped membranes at 38 weeks when I was about 4 cm and 80% effaced. My cervix was still posterior, but head could be easily felt. A few days later I checked and was 5 cm. I stayed that way until induction day. Midwife attempted to strip them, but the membranes were already separated from the wall. Had a bulging bag. We started the induction that afternoon, and spent a long time waiting for labor to start. I got to 6 cm with lots of walking and sitting on the loo. Then late in the evening, following a VE, I had about four contractions and he was born.

runningmama14 · November 2014

kamcbride19@me.com said:

I'll be 39w 2d at my appointment and my doctor suggested it because of some of my medical history.

Sounds like a reasonable option then!

tinkerbell1658 · November 2014

I had mine stripped with ds at 40 and 41 weeks i believe. I dont remember it feeling amy different then a normal exam. I had him at 41.6, water broke at 41.5. I'll probably talk to the mw on the 17th, my edd.

Ineedmorecoffee · November 2014

I got one yesterday. I was 38 weeks and 3 days. It did not hurt at all. I had some spotting and cramps and contractions after, but they're gone now

it only works if you're body is ready to go into labor. I was 3 cm dilated and 70% effaced before she stripped them.

Jpinky9 · November 2014

I had one last week at 39w3d and it did nothing, gave me some cramps and spotting. I had another one this week at 40w2d and same thing. Still pregnant at 40w5d. It only works sometimes and if your body is favourable. I had it done because I figured I may as well give it a shot.

I didn't really find that it hurt. Maybe a bit more the first time, but the second time it didn't hurt at all.

rox825 · November 2014

I had one yesterday, 40w1d at 2cm dilated and 50% effaced. It definitely hurt, but that was from her having a hard time reaching than the actual procedure. I had a little cramping after and some spotting last night and this morning. Not sure whether it'll help things along, but I wanted to at least try something before my medical induction next week.

Zaufishan · November 2014

@metaphysique
7cm before labor and baby was born after 32min.. Wow
I wish I'll have something of this sort to tell too. FTM. My doc hasn't mentioned any intervention yet at 38w 2days.. Just the wait n see game although I had history of cervical stitch which was removed on 10/30. No happenings so far... Anxious.
Prayers for everyone who are due soon

marajay6 · November 2014

I am getting mine done tomorrow - I will be 40 weeks. At my 38 week appointment I was 2cm and 75%. I am optimistic that the sweep will work for me!

Megansb916 · November 2014

I had it done 2 days ago, at 40 wks 3 days. It didn't hurt any worse than a cervix check. I was 1.5 cm and 75% effaced at the time...no cramps, labor, or anything since then. It's worth a shot though.

phdprocrastinator · November 2014

I had it done with DD at 39w3d based on O Date. My NP had insisted on dating my pregnancy by LMP - and I knew I ovulated on CD21. Early ultrasound dating lined up with my estimated due date based on O Date. So I was super annoyed when she started talking about scheduling an induction at 41w0d, which I would have called 40w3d. Her reasoning was that I was dropping sugar in my urine (but had not tested positive for GD).

I was only a fingertip dilated but my NP offered to strip my membranes and told me to walk, walk, walk. I had my bloody show within an hour of the membrane stripping, walked for at least 3 hours, got home and nested like crazy, and went into labor that night. I remember the stripping wasn't comfortable but it also wasn't terrible.

I don't think it can really hurt - especially if you're past 39 weeks - and if you can avoid a medicated induction then it's kind of a win. (I say this only because I've heard how terrible pitocin contractions are).

marajay6 · November 2014

I just had my membrane sweep this morning. It hurt but I think it depends on who does it. I had a cervix check 2 weeks ago by a different doctor in the practice and I thought it was very uncomfortable but not painful. The check and sweep was a different doctor - she checked my cervix and it hurt a lot more than last time, then she did the sweep and it really hurt.

It has only been 4 hours - no labor yet. Lot's of spotting that is getting worse. And a lot of cramps - not contractions, but period like cramps.

kamcbride19@me.com · November 2014

Thanks for all your stories and advice! I appreciate it. I guess I will see what the doctor has to say on Monday!

krissykris89 · November 2014

My OB did it for me this Thursday I'm 38 weeks 1 day, about 2cm dilated and 80% It was definitely uncomfortable for me. Had spotting most of yesterday and contractions. Some of my mucus plug made an appearance last night and again today. Still contracting but not close enough to go to the hospital. I don't think I'll go into labor tonight or tomorrow but we'll see! Good luck hope it works for you.

MissN06 · November 2014

I got my membrane sweep today. It wasn't what I would call uncomfortable but didn't hurt like I expected after hearing so many people say how uncomfortable/painful others have said it was. I'm currently 80% effaced and 3 cm. My contractions haven't picked up any further from what they were before but I'm hopeful it helps since I'm being induced on Tuesday. If I go this weekend my dad will be in town and get to hold her before he goes back home for work.

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