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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

membrane sweeps - do they work (and/or hurt?)

30 replies

allyco · 04/04/2006 20:44

Okay, so my due date isn't until Sunday 9th. I have had the most horrendous hyperemesis throughout this pregnancy and I know have anaemia too, and other DDs to cope with (I did eventually give up work on Friday!).

I have a MW appointment on Thursday and was wondering about asking her if she would do a sweep to see if it would help me along a bit as I really am at the end of my sanity now. The hospital previously said they wouldn't induce "for a bit of sickness" Yes, that is how a midwife described hyperemesis .

Anyway, who's had this done? Did it work? Did it hurt? Is it just like a normal internal?

TIA

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Katemum · 04/04/2006 20:45

I had four and they didn't hurt but my first wasn't done until after my due date.

Mosschops30 · 04/04/2006 20:46

I had three sweeps and none of them worked, was still induced at 40 + 15.
On a more positive note, no it didnt hurt, was a bit like a smear really.
HTH

beansprout · 04/04/2006 20:48

Hi Allyco - sooo chuffed that you are about to have another baby! My mum still asks after you whenever I mention MN as she remembers you from the Oct 04 thread

Anyway, to answer your question. I had one and it felt like an internal where someone was pushing very hard inside me. It was uncomfortable but over quite quickly and I remember thinking "this is probably not the worst thing I am going to feel over the next few days...." Mine didn't actually work but I understand that if you are ripe and ready they will tip you over but if you aren't then it is just not enough.

Good luck, hope it all goes well

Original poster

allyco · 04/04/2006 20:48

a friend in RL just told me I could get my DH to do it for/to me. That cannot be possible. Can it? have conme over all cold just thinking about that.

OP posts:

Mosschops30 · 04/04/2006 20:50

no your dh cannot do it for you, you have to be assessed as to where your bub is lying, how engaged or can cause cord prolapse I think, they wont do it if baby not ready for it

Original poster

allyco · 04/04/2006 20:50

thanks bean. Deffo no more babies after this. No. No. No. Can't really believe littlest DD will soon be a big sister.

Thanks ladies - I had imagined it would just work straightaway. So does it mean really it works if you are kind of ready anyway, but if not then it's a bit of a waste of time?

OP posts:

Original poster

allyco · 04/04/2006 20:52

thank the Lord for that Mosschops (mind you that particular friend has always been a bit strange!).

OP posts:

Original poster

allyco · 04/04/2006 20:55

and Mosschops just read again how overdue you were. I cannot bear to think I will go over. Of my four deliveries the two "normal" ones (the third was induced because DD had birth defect and needed operation at birth and the fourth was section for prematurity) both came before their due dates and I am so hoping this little one will be the same.

I think you must have been a saint or something to put up with that even though I suppose you had no option IYKWIM.

OP posts:

moono · 04/04/2006 20:56

I had one at 40 weeks. Was mortifyingly embarrassed though when dh (who was watching) made me laugh and I got a fit of the giggles whilst the mw's hand was still stuck up inside me!!! Anyway, it didn't work as ds was 2 weeks late.

rummum · 04/04/2006 20:58

If my DD went overdue the midwife offered to do a membrane sweep...
I heard my mum on the phone to my nan saying the midwife was going to surf my membrane if the baby didn't come soon...

sorry no advice daughter came on time..

Mosschops30 · 04/04/2006 20:58

ha not a saint you didnt see all the swearing and moaning that I did on here. I was hell-bent on having a birthng centre delivery, but wouldnt have waited so long otherwise.
Good luck, hope you dont have to go over

Original poster

allyco · 04/04/2006 21:11

oh no, no way would DH watch. I would make him stay at head end. I am a terrible terrible prude.

Anyway, have been having funny pains, every ten minutes or so, quite sore in my back (you know, that feel like someone squeezing) and in front like period pains. Hey, maybe if this goes on I won't need the MW appointment let alone a sweep

OP posts:

AllieBongo · 04/04/2006 21:13

wouldn't say painful, just uncomfortable..did bugger all for me!

Sparklemagic · 04/04/2006 21:48

I had one, and it seemed to work as I got contractions later on that evening. I remember thinking at the time that it was quite painful, I'd expected it be be kind of 'numb' but it wasn't.

However looking back it was a piddling, tiny, nothingy pain compared to strong labour

TheBlonde · 04/04/2006 21:52

I had one and wouldn't have one again
Bloody painful
Cried afterwards and no it didn't start labour

Mercedes · 04/04/2006 21:58

I still shudder when I remember how painul my sweep was. For me it was the most painful bit of the whole labour.
The poor Dr got screamed at and accused of being clumsy and brutal on purpose. My Dp said the rest of the ward just went totally silent when all this was gouing on. Judging from the other responses it's an individual thing

alexsmum · 04/04/2006 21:58

i had one when i was 40weeks +10 days. it was a bit uncomfortable but it worked.i was in labour before i left the room! literally! the contractions kicked in straight away! that was about 11.am 11.30 and ds was born at 6.18pm!!

mears · 04/04/2006 23:16

As a midwife I see more problems than labours after sweeps. Women often come into hospital with painful tightenings and some bleeding but not in labour. I think sweeps are best kept as a last resort prior to formal induction and should not be done before 41 weeks. It is an intervention that really is not needed IMO. Babies come when they are ready. You really do not have long to go now - you have made it for so long, try and be patient. Treat yourself to a nice massage or something. Hope it all happens naturally for you soon.

shellybelly · 05/04/2006 10:07

I had one to speed things up i think (everything was a blur coz i was so knackered) and i ain't going to lie it bloody hurt, may depend on the midwife doing tho? and tbh I can't remember at which stage of my labour it was done sorry

amber5 · 05/04/2006 10:55

I had membrane sweep with both pregancies. First time made no difference at all and i went on to be induced. Second, i started contractions within about four hours, but failed to progress and ended up having a c-section anyway.
As others have said, it felt like an regular internal with a bit more pushing, slightly uncomfortable but easily bearable.
Allyco, how are you feeling? are you still with us?

amber5 · 05/04/2006 10:55

Original poster

allyco · 05/04/2006 11:51

yes, still here !!

although going outside to clean windows now in hope something happens...

From the thread it sems like a air proprtion of sweeps don't work anyway.

Thanks for your advice Mears. I know, it's not long to go hopefully. It's just this sickness....

OP posts:

mears · 06/04/2006 00:39

Have you tried drinking soda water? One of my friends was sick and found that latterly that helped. Have you been given anything like stemetil or ranitidine?

ghosty · 06/04/2006 01:27

Hi ... I had a couple of sweeps with DD and no, they didn't do anything and hurt like hell I am afraid

homemama · 06/04/2006 15:03

I had a sweep on my due date and it really got labour going. It didn't hurt at all IMO. I had been having very mild contractions for 2 days beforehand and had been completely efaced (sp?) for those two days (she had previously examined me)without dilating at all. DS was born 12hours later. I'd be keen on it again TBH.
Good luck!

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