@jpaws have you noticed any progression yet? You’ll have to keep us updated.
I’m just not sure I want one early
Found this and #2 and #5 are my worries
5 Facts You Need To Know About A Membrane Sweep
If you’re tempted to have a membrane sweep to kickstart labour, or because you’re facing induction, here are 5 facts to know:
#1: A Membrane Sweep Is A Form Of Intervention
One of the upsides to membrane sweeps is it doesn’t involve any medication.
You may even hear it being referred to as a ‘natural induction’ method.
Unfortunately that simply isn’t true.
Any procedure that attempts to kickstart labour before it begins on its own is doing so by artificial means.
We know a little about the complex process of labour initiation and science has shown it involves a baby’s readiness for the outside world.
You can read more about this in What Causes Labour To Start?.
If you’re simply tired of being pregnant, you’re not alone. Most women get to the final weeks of pregnancy and have had enough. Patience is tricky but waiting gives your baby the best start to life.
When continuing on with pregnancy puts mothers and babies at risk, induction is a life saving intervention. This means the option of a non-medical induction method may put you at ease with being induced.
#2: A Membrane Sweep Can Lead To Further Interventions
When you’re 38 weeks pregnant and feeling every one of those weeks, a membrane sweep is tempting. Perhaps your care provider is already talking induction in your future.
You might feel completely over being pregnant. Or you’re worried your partner might not make it to the hospital in time.
But if a membrane sweep doesn’t bring on labour and your care provider doesn’t support waiting for spontaneous labour, you’re more likely to have a medical induction.
If your body and baby weren’t ready for labour, you may end up with more interventions, such as forceps or vacuum assisted birth, or even a c-section.
Your baby may also experience problems due to being born early, especially breathing problems, or being admitted to the NICU.
If an induction is necessary for medical reasons, a membrane sweep can seem like a gentler option than medical methods of induction.
If you’re in this situation, your care provider can assess your cervix and determine how likely a membrane sweep will help things along.
You can read more in Bishop’s Score During Pregnancy – What Is It and How Is It Used?
You can also prepare for further medical intervention and have a plan for how to make those decisions.
#3: A Membrane Sweep Can Be Painful
One of the first questions pregnant women ask is “Is a membrane sweep painful?”.
If your situation recommends a membrane sweep, it can help to know what to expect.
During pregnancy, the cervix is closed and angled slightly back toward your tailbone (called posterior).
When your body begins to prepare for labour, the cervix will soften and possibly even open slightly (around 1-2 finger widths).
The position of the cervix can change and shift more forward.
However, the timing of cervix changes in preparation for labour can differ between women and even different pregnancies.
Some women have these changes happen in the weeks leading up to labour, others won’t until labour is noticeably beginning.
A membrane sweep is more easily performed when your cervix is ‘favourable’.
The cervix is soft, has shifted forward and is slightly open.
If the cervix is still posterior, it will be difficult for your care provider to reach, which can make the sweep uncomfortable or even painful.
If the cervix is soft but closed, your care provider can stretch or massage the cervix to stimulate it to begin to dilate.
Stretching the cervix can feel very uncomfortable, and some women describe a sharp, shooting sort of pain.
After the membrane sweep, you may experience cramping and spotting or bleeding.
#4: You Have The Right To Decide To Have A Membrane Sweep
In a perfect world, no woman would ever have a medical procedure performed without her consent during pregnancy or birth.
Your care provider may have a policy of routine membrane sweeps in the last weeks of pregnancy.
While this may be an option for women facing medical induction, it’s still a procedure which needs your informed consent first.
Your care provider must discuss the risks and benefits of a membrane sweep with you.
This means you can make an informed choice whether to have the sweep or not.
Unfortunately, many women experience membranes sweeps during prenatal appointments without consent. After the procedure they are told or suspect it happened.
This is very distressing and upsetting, especially for women in vulnerable situations such as domestic violence or sexual abuse survivors.
It’s important to inform your care provider you don’t want a membrane sweep (or other procedures) without your consent.
You also have the right to refuse a vaginal exam if you don’t want one.
#5: Membrane Sweep Can Cause A Rupture Of The Amniotic Sac
There’s an increased risk, although small, of your membranes rupturing prematurely after a membrane sweep.
This means the amniotic sac surrounding your baby breaks and fluid can leak out.
There’s an increased risk of infection if this happens and labour doesn’t begin within a certain timeframe.
Your care provider may want to move to more medical methods of induction and it’s wise to be ready for this possibility before choosing to have a membrane sweep.
…
If induction is necessary for medical reasons, a membrane sweep isn’t usually performed on its own – other methods are usually used.
However, a sweep is an option if your cervix is very favourable, in the hope of avoiding further interventions.
It’s your decision to have a membrane sweep after full consideration of the risks and benefits for your personal situation, regardless of your care provider’s preference.