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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Has anyone had a membrane sweep?

27 replies

Paula30CWR · 23/02/2011 19:23

I will have my membrane swept this week. So, i wanted to know if anyone else had experienced this to see if this speeds things up.

Is it too uncomfortable?

Does it last for too long?

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touser · 23/02/2011 19:55

How exciting that you're close to meeting your little one!

Yes I had a sweep. Our DD was in no rush to be born and at almost 2 weeks overdue, I had the choice of trying a sweep or waiting to be induced.

I dediced to go with a sweep - similar to an internal examination, lasted only minutes - and contractions started that afternoon.

Our DD was born the next day :)

mejon · 23/02/2011 19:56

Had one at 41 weeks. Took a few moments. Didn't hurt - I was just aware of a slight tugging sensation. Didn't work though and ended up being induced at 41+5.

longislandicetea · 23/02/2011 20:00

How long it goes on for and how uncomfortable it is depends on your midwife.

My midwife advised having sex over a sweep. I did and my waters broke the following morning! Seems to have the same effect and is slightly more pleasant!

If your worried ask your midwife these questions before she does it. Good luck :)

MarionCole · 23/02/2011 20:03

I had a sweep, it did hurt a bit but nothing in the context of what was coming! It brought on labour very quickly, DS was born about 6 hours later. Would definitely ask for one next time.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 23/02/2011 20:04

I had two. Second one worked. Uncomfortable but bearable. Good luck!

blondieminx · 23/02/2011 22:47

I had 2 in the hope of hurrying the baby out as i had purigo of pregnancy (imagine stinging nettle rash all over) and neither worked - DD arrived in her own time at 40+6. They come when they are ready and not a day sooner...

piprabbit · 23/02/2011 22:53

I had several sweeps over a couple of weeks with DC1.

The midwives were fine - quick, gentle and understanding.

The consultant was a different matter...

mosschops30 · 23/02/2011 22:59

It depends on where ur cervix is and how well they sweep as to how painful it is.

Fwiw I had 3 sweeps with ds1 and about 10 with ds2 and ended up being induced with both at 40+15

Imho babies come when ready, good luck

mosschops30 · 23/02/2011 23:01

It depends on where ur cervix is and how well they sweep as to how painful it is.

Fwiw I had 3 sweeps with ds1 and about 10 with ds2 and ended up being induced with both at 40+15

Imho babies come when ready, good luck

mousebacon · 23/02/2011 23:15

I had a sweep with DS then forced myself DTD with DH and was in labour about an hour later.

Disclaimer - I'd already been niggly for a couple of days so it might just have been a co-incidence!

Good luck!

splodge77 · 24/02/2011 18:06

i had a sweep and was expecting it to really hurt but it wasn't bad at all - marginally more sore than a smear test. latent labour started 12 hours later, went into proper labour 24 hrs after that. it was a bit epic but i'm v glad i didnt have to be induced.

NotSoPukeyMummy · 24/02/2011 20:38

Yes, had one at about 1pm and gave birth at 8am the following morning.

Midwife was great, it wasn't uncomfortable, it was very quick (I asked "Is that it?").

She told me she thought I was starting to dilate anyway, so she predicted I'd be back that night for the big event - which I was!

Original poster

Paula30CWR · 25/02/2011 14:05

NotSoPukeyMummy Thanks!!!

I have just had my first one this morning and the MW was very nice. It was uncomfortable but I think I was a bit nervous and emotional about the whole thing.

She said my cervix had quite softened and she only needed one finger to work on the area - it was quick and I'm 1 cm delated. Unfortunately, she couldn't predict I would get into labour today or tomorrow..and I will have another sweep on Sunday at home if nothing happens.

I found it a bit uncomfortable and I burst into tears (how embarrasing!) in front of the MW after that - I thought I panicked and that i won't be able to deal with the whole labour...but she said I did great...

Oh well... i dont' want to get tearful but I do...

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Esian · 25/02/2011 14:12

I had a sweep and then gave birth 48 hours later. The MW came to do my 2nd sweep at home but I was already in established labour and ready to go to hospital, despite the MW wanting me to have a Homebirth.

Good luck Paula30CWR your LO will be here soon!

biglips · 25/02/2011 14:17

yes i had one with my dd2 and it was ok but then for the next 2 weeks i was in pre-labour with this horrible dull ache (felt like i was having a very bad period!!) (was 9 days overdue so had induction in the end).

they say that its more successful with your second child than your first.

NotSoPukeyMummy · 25/02/2011 17:52

Good luck Paula, sounds like you are on your way!

(Better a sweep than induction and all that entails...)

Original poster

Paula30CWR · 02/03/2011 19:19

Unfortunately, I have already had three sweeps so far and no signs of baby, no contractions, anything...

The last sweep was very bad... it wasn't even a proper sweep. MW was very brutal and not gentle at all and it made me cry of pain. It must have taken her less than a minute. But she put her fingers so fast and hard that it was hell. She immediately took them out and said: "Right, I can't do it. THe cervix is far too behind. I could touch the baby's head but not the cervix". As far as I'm concerned, if you reach the baby's head, you surely reached the cervix. So I think she must have realised she hurt me but she couldn't be bothered to go on. Any apologies for the lack of delicacy? None.

Tomorrow i have my fourth sweep with the same MW. Something tells me I should go as this one might work, but something else tells me I don't want this MW, just as well, if I have to be induced next Sunday, well...that is the way it should be. My husband told me to be firm with her and ask her to be gentle but sometimes these women just hear what they want to hear. So, I'm thinking of not going, cancelling and probably going on Friday to see if probably another MW can do it.

Any suggestions? At the stage I don't know what to do. It worries me that I'm 6 days overdue and there are no signs at all.

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DonaLucia · 02/03/2011 23:15

i think i had a sweep by eacho doctor of every shift.
Had one when i was not overdue yet.
had loads at the hospital..n to be quite frank,OMG it hurted like they were touching my bone frm the inside out if thats possible,argh it was the worse bit of the whole thing.
I was 14 days overdue..
so..42 weeks, induced,no pain..big baby..healthy.
One advice trust ur senses, and dont be scared, we are born to be mothers and give birth.

DonaLucia · 02/03/2011 23:19

but no it doesnt last long seconds only, they will reach for ur cervix and sweep it.and thats all,some ppl dont even feel.

DonaLucia · 02/03/2011 23:21

Walk..long walks if u can..keep active..organise the house..ur baby bits n stuff.It helped me a lot.

ZombiePlan · 03/03/2011 13:07

You can ask for another midwife. Call the department today, explain you were unhappy with the previous sweep she did and tell them you don't want her to be involved in your care going forwards.

Doesn't make sense that she could touch the head but not the cervix - the baby's head is on the other side of your cervix!

Flisspaps · 03/03/2011 13:15

Paula, is there any reason why you're having so many sweeps? 4 seems like quite a lot - I went to 40+14 before induction but only had one sweep.

I just wonder about their efficiency in general - I know people say that they went into labour shortly after having one, but there is no way of knowing if they would have gone into labour then anyway, without having to go through the indignity of a sweep first. I read an article when having DD about some midwives having the same thoughts, but I can't remember where it was.

Also, if you're worried/stressed (and you say you're a bit worried about the lack of signs of labour starting at 6 days over) then that can stop you going into labour in itself.

mannicmummyhavinaiccy · 03/03/2011 13:15

I had one with dc2, worked within 2 hours! Had one on Monday, had a show that evening, but still waiting! Was slightly painful, but not anything that required pain relief, mw did offer me some. Good luck :(

ShirtyGerty · 03/03/2011 13:36

I had a sweep yesterday. It was fine - uncomfortable rather than painful and only took a few moments. Hasn't got the baby moving yet though!

Original poster

Paula30CWR · 03/03/2011 14:00

Hi ladies,

Yes it takes a couple of minutes and it should just be uncomfortable. But the third one I had on Tuesday just caused pain and tears.

I think i cried of pain because she wasn't gentle at all and because of that she chose not to be bothered. I cancelled my appointment today and required to have another sweep tomorrow with tow MWs I wanted. They said they were fully booked so if they can't see me tomorrow I will call and ask what to do. Apparently I would be induced on Sunday if nothing happened, but to be honest with you...I rather enjoy my last days rather than being worried about these MW. I rather call and ask if they can book an induction in case nothing happens (it'd be already 10 days overdue as Kings C. Hospital does)- I had already been told I would be induced if nothing happened..but well.. I guess I'm worried about the baby now...

It's strange according to your experiences..

Thanks anyway

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