Help please - bleeding after a sweep (sorry if lots of TMI)

[kekouan]

I had a membrane sweep yesterday afternoon, and had what the midwife told me was a normal bleed afterwards. I'm still bleeding a bit, and I can't tell if it's normal.

I think my waters have broken, but I'm not sure so have put on a pad, but there are what look like brown clots on the pad. Has anybody else had this? I'm worried that my waters have gone, and it's meconium.

I'll wait half an hour and call the midwife (to try and tell if I'm actually leaking)but any advice in the meantime?

[needmorecoffee]

do the clots look mucus-y? It might be the plug coming away. Muconium is dark/greenish brown/black. The plus is more reddish brown with some red blood in but has a more mucus texture.
If you're worried call the midwife. Any contractions?

[kekouan]

NMC - yes, I wondered about that, there is a fair bit of mucous. I think it's just blood, but as I can't tell if my waters have gone, I don't know whether to be worried.

First timer, can you tell?

very mild contractions, yes - not regular at all.

[Camillathechicken]

some blood is normal...

if you think your waters have gone, then you must speak to the MW

put on a pad, and have a sniff... waters smell different to wee and you cannot stop waters leaking, like you can stop the flow of wee,

brown clots, might well be left over from the bleeding.

if your waters had gone and there was meconium it would be staining the water, rather that coming out in lumps IIRC. if the fluid is clear/ pinky/ straw coloured then you should be ok

sounds like you could really benefit from being checked out by your MW urgently, to put your mind at rest and to check your waters.

[kekouan]

ah, bleeding has stopped now (had a bath) so not worried about that anymore. Have put on a pad and will give it a little while to see what's going on.

Thanks :-D

[bumpybecky]

if it's your waters they smell like semen (odd but true)

to be honest in your situation I'd call the MW and ask for advise. I expect they'll want to check you over

good luck

[Camillathechicken]

let us know how you get on, and i do think you should maybe call your MW

[Kerri28]

i had exactly same experience as you after my sweep. went to hospital to get checked out but waters had not broken. went into labour one week later by waters breaking....my GOD that was a lot of water . soaked through 2 bath sheets and a hand towel before got to hospital - feel a bit embarrassed that i wasn't sure if waters had broken in retrospect!!! but each labour and amount of water is different, so get yourself checked out, everyone was very nice to me

good luck, and enjoy the anticipation, i'm almost jealous

[kekouan]

argh, was wishful thinking. Have had a pad on for a few hours now, and it's not even damp.

damn it!

[Kerri28]

won't be long now though

[needmorecoffee]

my plug came out the day before I went in to labour at 42 weeks exactly. Went round IKEA that evening and things got going, much to the alarm of the staff
Thinking of you (breathe pant etc etc)

[weeonion]

kekouan - when i had a sweep - the next morning i started with clots/ mucous. the mild contractions got stronger and she was born 2 days later.

sounds like it is all starting for you!!