Membrane sweep/induction

[chissy]

I am now over my EDD and am seeing my midwife this week to have a membrane sweep with a view to induction - can anyone tell me if they have had this done and what it what like?

[lulumama]

yes.... it can be uncomfortable...it is less so if your cervix is ripe

ie

soft, short, anterior an starting to dilate

if not ripe, can be difficult or impossible to do

it will only kick start labour if you were about to go into labour within 24 -28 hours anyway

some contractions can occur , and you might have a show....but not necessarily going to be labour.....

[chissy]

thanks. Sounds gruesome. I am only a few days over my EDD, but midwife is considering it because of the pain I have been experiencing due to SPD. I am in so much pain especially at night, so am hardly sleeping and feel utterly exhausted. Induction in theory seems like a good idea but am worried about it all. Hoping for a ripe cervix by Wednesday anyway!!

[lulumama]

it is uncomfortable because the person doing it is literally stretching the cervix and sweeping their finger around and around, to stretch and open the cervix and to strip the membranes from the neck of the womb!!!!!! if your cervix is ripe..that in itself is a good indication things are happening.....is this your first ? if not, and your other babies were born later than 40 weeks, it could be that your babies are ready to be born at 41 weeks for example....

sex ( if you can bear it!!!! ) if you orgasm is good as the prostoglandins in semen help to ripen the cervix and the orgasm can help encourage contractions

nipple stimulation is good too as a way to help along the start of labour.......


sorry if TMI !!!!

[thankyoupoppet]

oh poor you, I know how you are feeling right now!

I had a sweep after my m/w discovered my 'ripe and ready' cervix

(that sounded like she found it whilst fumbling through her bag or something!!)

Anyway it was because I was having horrid spd pain, she told me it may not work but it did! hooray!, and the next day I had a lovely little baby in my arms -a few days later she asked how my spd pain was and I really had to think hard to realise what she was going on about, I had totally forgotten about the pain!

The very best of luck, I hope the pain goes in an instant for you as it did for me x

[Mumpbump]

The consultant (bloke) at our hospital did it and I didn't find it that bad, but someone said that blokes are usually a bit more gentle than women. I certainly found the examinations that the m/w did a lot more uncomfortable... But not that bad in my experience. Didn't work although I think it might have triggered pre-labour, so wound up being induced anyway.

[thankyoupoppet]

PS the sweep didn't hurt me really, getting up off the bed afterwoods did due to the spd!

[lulumama]

eeeeeeeek! feel awful now....everyone else a bit kinder than me!!!

it honestly isn't agony...!! definitely uncomfortable and yes, the thought it might be helping bring baby on is a good one to hold on to while it is happening!!

[Indi28]

I had one done - more uncomfortable because it was my cousin doing it (she is a midwife I hasten to add)than painful. Feels a bit uncomfortable like a smear and had some twingey pains afterwards. I was afriad I would go quickly and painfully into labout after it, That didn't happen - I still went 10 days over when my waters broke.

So, it was worth a try - but didn't work for me - but wasn't too bad on the pain front. Hope that helps.

[YellowFeathers]

Ooooh sympathies. I was in this position 10 weeks ago.

I had a sweep when I was 6 days overdue. It was uncomfortable but didnt last all that long.
Anyway, after that I had a proper show (which she said would happen) and the contractions which I'd had on and off anyway became a bit more intense and frequent. 4 days later I had my ds.

[twocatsonthebed]

I had one this morning, funnily enough (I'm 5 days over and would rather not be induced...). Wasn't too bad in terms of pain, more like the discomfort of an examination, as everyone has said.

Also worth it just to find out how you're doing - my cervix is apparently 'favourable' and starting to dilate, which cheered me up no end.

But my midwife said that the first one often doesn't work, and so I'm going back on Wed and possibly Friday for further sweeps.

Do let us know how it goes....

[lulumama]

the first one often doesn't work as it will only work if you are 'ready to go' anyway!!! IMO , the state of the cervix and its ripeness and dilation are good indicators of things starting...your body gears up for labour for weeks before it starts.......! good luck one and all!!!

and happy birthing

[chissy]

All of this has been so helpful. I was feeling a bit clueless. I agree that it seems worthwhile to at least know if mny cervix is even starting to get ready for this birth. It's my first one so I am really fumbling in the dark to be honest. The SPD pain is just hell at times so I reckon I may give in to induction if I am ripe. Thanks again.

[lulumama]

all the best chissy!!!!

[annieanne]

i had a membrane sweep done with both of my children it is a bit like a smear it's not painful but can be very uncomfortable it worked with my little boy i went into labour about 18hrs later but when i had it done with my little girl it was still another ten days till i started in labour :}

[chissy]

Just to update you, I went for the sweep yesterday lunchtime and disappointingly got the news that although the outside of my cervix is soft, the back was still too tight and so despite 2 pretty vigorous attempts (ouch!) the midwife couldn't reach far enough in to do the sweep! It seems that my body is just not ready for labour! In her words, she did have "a good old rummage around" and that might help move things on, but I was gutted, as I am waddling around in a lot of pain from the SPD (that's why I am up at this time despite not having a young baby - I can't stay in bed for very long and so have to get up lots during the night - good training for when he arrives I guess!)
Induction booked for next week unless something happens naturally in the meantime! So its on with the raspberry leaf tea, acupuncture and I guess we might have to try natural prostoglandins as well!! Feeling very frustrated and fed up!

[BlueberryPancake]

well, I'd like to share my experience of sweeps - I've had FOUR(!!) for the same pregnancy, and they have all been different, done by different people. First one at 40 weeks on the day was performed by a consultant in hosp, who simply said 'we could do a sweep and you will probably go into labour within 48 hours (loads of rubbish as there is no garantee) I didn't trust the guy anyway, he kept on talking about 'down below' when talking about my bits... Anyway, he could do it because wasn't 'ripe' enough. Got home and cried my eyes out.

Second time around, at 41 weeks, was with a young femail consultant, who was tinny and had very small hands. She tried to do it but her fingers were so short, and she was pushing so hard against the 'entrance' area iykwam and I screemed and then some stupid midwife said 'well what are you going to be like during labour' so I cried my eyes out when I got home.

Third time around was with my own midwife, who was great and explained everything and asked me to put my fists under my bum to raise the pelvic and make it easier for her to access the cervix.That was at 41 weeks + 4 days, I think, and she could do it but it didn't start labour.

I was induced at 40 weeks plus 14 days, and the consultant on the ward did another sweep beore putting the proctaglandine (SP???) but I don't know if it changed the outcome at all.

Moral of the story, I guess: it can hurt, if you don't want to do it just say no, expect some tears because it can be invasive and dissapointing, and get it done by a nice midwife instead of a consultant!!!

[arfishymeau]

Hi Chissy. It's horrid to be over your EDD isn't it?

I had a sweep on the Friday, a week after DD was due. It was mildly uncomfortable but nothing that I would be scared of if I had another one - bit like an injection or something, the thought is more scary than the reality.

I was pronounced 'tight as a drum' and went home in a strop.

I was booked in for induction the following Monday and went into labour spontaneously the night before.

Good luck. Whatever happens you'll have your baby with you soon.

[Naomee]

Hi,

I'm currently 41 weeks and had a sweep last Friday. Wasn't too unpleasant, but maybe that's because my DH got mixed up and called it 'the scrape' so nothing could have been worse than the mental image I already had!

Anyway, think it was too early because nothing happened. Will get a date to be induced tomorrow, but really want to go into labour naturally.It's frustrating, I have tried nipple stimulation, brisk walks etc... but I suppose the baby is just not ready.

[chissy]

Lordy, it sounds as though we have all had pretty grim experiences of this! Have to say, my midwife was greta, did explain it all before hand, was as gentle as she could be, asked me to put my fists under my bum as with blueberrypancake's experience and was very encouraging as I lay there sweating doing deep breathing!! I just wish I could go for a brisk walk or do some excercise to help things along as well as clear my head, but the SPD prevents this as it's just too painful.
Before I forget, anyone heard of women being very sick before going into labour? I have been violently sick twice this morning and feel pretty odd.

[lulumama]

that can be a sign chissy...as can diaorrhea as your body clears out before labour.........! hope all goes well....don;t be disheartned...your cervix is starting to ripen..you are on the way..xx

[lulumama]

might not be tongihtg though!!

[youngmum21]

I had as sweep on tues and it really really hurt i seem to be the only one who thinks this maybe i didnt relax while mw was doing it but so far ive had lower back ache and period pains for the last 2days and also have been losing my show cud labour still be on the cards????

Am booked in for induction sat nite am not looking forward to it!!!

[lulumama]

things could be moving young mum....was your cervix favourable? and how over due are you?

[youngmum21]

well she sed i was bout 1 cm dialated and so had a 50/50 chance of it working!! im 41+4 today!!

[lulumama]

so sort of one fingertips worth of dilation....might be worth hanging on for a little bit longer....!!! i know you are desperate for baby to arrive..but the riper your cervix, the more likely that labour is coming...the baby will come out....honestly!

sex really does help ripen the cervix ....!!