Membrane sweeps

[softmusk]

having sweep on friday just wonder if worked for u and if so how long did it take

I had sweep on the wed,mild contractions then waters went on thurs morning,contractions went then returned friday night and had her at noon on sat,think it deffo helped get me going.Good Luck

Yup - had a sweep for Dd on a Friday lunchtime. Felt uncomfortable the rest of the day and most of Saturday. Then contractions started for real at 7pm ish on Saturday night during the last episode of the new Doctor Who - much to dh's annoyance.
Dd born Sunday lunchtime.

Had on on the Tues, went into labour Tues night, had DD2 Wednesday morning.

Good luck

I had two and they didnt work for me...sorry. Hope you have better luck

Hi just been told I can have a sweep the day before my due date (nxt thurs) which I was very excited about: I want to meet my little boy!

BUT have read on some websites that this can cause more discomfort in early labour? AND that its not 'right' to interfere, EVEN THOUGH there is no risk of infections to mum or baby - I'm having doubts now -

ANY thoughts (its my first baby) on this or is this just part of the wider 'medical intervention vs natural' debate re child birth?

Membrane sweep didn't work for me. Apparently they work about 50% of the time, but obviously it depends on your body being ready to go at the time you have it.

i had one with ds2, did'nt do anything to bring on labour, just went home feeling a bit sore and bled a little. i was 39 weeks. went back 2 days later and they broke the waters, had babe 2 hours later.

I had a sweep for both pregnancies and neither had any effect at all. They just don't seem to work for me.

Had one on the Wednesday morning, this started my contractions, ds finally arrived on saturday night, apparantly i was in 'hesitant labour'.

i been getting bad pains for about a week now they come then when i think yes this is it they stop dont no if this means my body ready but hopefully it does and they sweep will give it the boost it needs

Thanks softmusk for starting this thread - after reading your posts i've decided it can't do any harm as DH pointed out rather be in a bit of discomfort rather than kicking myself if i go well over due and regretting not having it done.

I think I've got more persective now after reading what seems a balanced response and not get my hopes to high! Roll out the raspberrby leaf tea tablets!

Softmusk i hope your pains are manageable and the sweep does the trick. I havn't had any pains or BH and keep wondering if my body is doing anything to prepare, and even though I'm scared I keeping looking for a sign - or is this mad - suppose it will all happen soon enough!

Good luck try and let us know if possible

What exactly is a sweep, and what point do they do it. - Am trying for a VBAC this time round.

How funny, i didn't see this and just started a thread about cerival sweeps, I'm having mine done tomorrow as well.

wow TC, that went quick!! Good luck

Had sweep when ds was 5 days late,did nothing so was then induced at 10 days late.Good luck,it didnt hurt

Coribells - The MW or Doctor use their finger to seperate the membrane surrounding the sack near the entrance to your womb - this can sometimes stimulate the hormones that kick start contractions. They are uncomfortable but there is no increased risk of infection to mum or baby. In 60% of cases labour is started within 48hours! They can be done at term but I think it depends on policies and what your past history is and if you are deemed to be in slow labour.

My MW been pretty good - she said I cud have one wen I went past my due date but with me being keen and it being a 4 day holiday she offered to do it two days before hand next thursday.

HTH

Thomcat, Did you have to ask for it or did they offer?

Definitely! Had sweep at 2 in the afternoon and at 8pm was 2 cm! And this was at 38 weeks!

I think they only work if you are sort of ready anyway ...
I had 3 before DD and still ended up being induced and STILL ended up with a c-s ...
But then I had had a previous c-s and DD did end up being 10lbs and 10oz. I think if I hadn't had a c-section I would still be pregnant now (DD is nearly 2 btw )
My babies just don't want to come out the normal route!
I personally found them very painful (rather than uncomfortable) but that is probably because I wasn't ready anyway ....

Theres no hamr in asking coribells if you think you would like this sort in intervention

Cori - my midwife offered. she said ages ago that if it came to it she'd do it for me so I reminded her and she said sure so she came over this morning and job done but no signs. If nothing happens she's coming back on Tuesday and we'll try again.

I had one when I was 10 days late, was v. uncomfortable for me and didn't work - ended up being induced at 14 days. But I'd say go for it, you've nothing to lose.

Thomcat keep us posted mine is in 6 days, can't help but get excited

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Be careful about membrane sweeps. I don't like to burst anyone's bubble but I think they are being done far too early and too frequently. Essentially your body will go into labour when it is ready. Some babies need an extra bit of 'cooking'. If you are not ready to labour a membrane sweep can trigger bleeding and painful tightenings that don't do anything other than cause the woman to come to hospital concerned. That can lead to an offer of induction and before you know it you are on the road to a cascade of intervention. Sweeps should not be done unless it is as a last ditch attempt to trigger labour when induction has been planned. Not before 41 weeks IMO.

So for those of you having earlier sweeps, please do not run to hospital at the first signs of tightenings. Some blood staining can be mormal. Above all don't get your hopes up. Get stuck into sex instead