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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Thoughts on Membrane Sweep

37 replies

Jaysecond · 15/03/2007 19:40

I am due to have one tomorrow, thought nothing of it really until now, slightly worried as i have heard they can be sore and leave you feeling worse for wear. Who has had them? How was it? and, how effective was it? thanks ladies!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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themildmanneredjanitor · 15/03/2007 19:42

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ja9 · 15/03/2007 19:51

i didn't find it sore at all. worked for me too. had baby day and half later.

aintnomountainhighenough · 15/03/2007 20:04

I had a number of these and unfortunately they didn't work. That said I would have them again. I agree with themildmanneredjanitor in that they are a bit rummagey, they didn't make me feel worse for wear at all, in fact it was great to have a bit more information about what was happening!

NotanOtter · 15/03/2007 20:05

worked for me baby born 6 rs after ---- did not hurt

hana · 15/03/2007 20:06

it will depend on who is doing the sweep - I had sweeps with 2 labours, first one fine, second one told me I would need gas and air as she had a bit of a 'rep' .......and it did hurt a great deal

clayre · 15/03/2007 20:06

i had one with dd and it didn't work then had one with ds and had him 12hours later, not really sore think its your dignity that gets hurt.

Loopymumsy · 15/03/2007 20:09

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webmum · 15/03/2007 20:13

worked for me, dd2 was born abou 10 hours later, was not painful at all, just unconfortable.

TheBlonde · 15/03/2007 20:19

Jay - supposedly if your cervix is ripe it shouldn't hurt

Original poster

Jaysecond · 15/03/2007 20:36

well more positive than neg, thanks for all your thoughts, i think i will go for it and see what happens, id much rather have this than be induced! Will let you know how it goes....well not literally of course, but if it works!

thanks theblonde, my DH would say i am ripe... but then hes always going on about me being 6 yrs older!! lol

OP posts:

missuspirana · 15/03/2007 20:42

I went into labour three hours later but I developed an infection which put pay to my plans for a homebirth. The more they fanny about with your fanny, the more likely it is they will introduce an infection. You can always refuse an induction. Difficult I know, they just assume you will. The baby will be born when it is ready and provided everything is OK with you and bub why rush it?

TheBlonde · 15/03/2007 20:49

Jay - if I don't have any sign of labour by my next appt then I will be going for the sweep rather than just skipping straight to chemical induction!

Doulaklaw · 15/03/2007 21:15

It can be very disheartening if they attempt one and can't reach cervix.

There is the risk of infection. There is the risk that they may break your waters.

I, with hindsight, have decided that I would not bother with one in future after 3 attempts over the space of 7 days, only the 3rd was successful. It only served to prove that my body was beginning to go into labour. They can only tell you the state of play at the time, not if and when you will go into labour. If you do go into labour after a successful sweep it is because that was what was going to happen anyway! so why go through the likely discomfort and put yourself at risk of infection.

Just my opinion.

TheBlonde · 15/03/2007 21:20

NICE claims it doesn't increase your chance of infection

Piffle · 15/03/2007 21:24

I had one without being asked or told after coming into labour ward with false alarm with dd at nearly 38 wks.
No pain, nothing. Midwife did say cervix was well ready for it though, I think on a cervix with no activity it might be uncomfy
Had dd 2 days later

zzoey · 15/03/2007 21:31

I had one with my 3rd dd
on the plus side my waters broke 5 hours after and she was born 3 hours later.
on the minus side she really didn't like it, gave a huge kick and bump during the "rummaging" and
when my waters broke she had passed meconium. that put paid to the home birth we'd planned. will always be left wondering if the sweep caused her to poo in fright.

i would definitely go for one before considering induction though. but wish i'd been more patient and waited for nature.

Original poster

Jaysecond · 15/03/2007 21:34

think i am having some of that 'activity' Piffle, lots of BH, hes dropped down loads and am having a lot of yucky discharge (sorry for tmi)i thhink i am prepping for labour, its just that its taking its time!

OP posts:

Thalia · 15/03/2007 21:36

Hi I haven't had one ever so maybe should keep my mouth shut....I was due on Dec 24th and baby didn't show up. Went for checkup and sweep on Dec 29th and declined the sweep (a neighbour walked up my driveway the day before and said DON'T LET THEM INTERFERE !!!!). My baby came of it's own accord on Jan 2nd. I did quite a lot of research (not scientific, just speaking to people - one in the undies dept of M&S) and was told that it's painful and not when your baby wants to arrive. I wouldn't have one. Not unless there is a good medical reason. When the apple is ripe it will fall. The Dr who was going to do the sweep was quite happy that I declined and said I could be induced on Jan 5th. Thank goodness didn't have to wait till then. All the best.

zzoey · 15/03/2007 21:37

how far overdue are you Jay?

Doulaklaw · 15/03/2007 21:38

Personally, having cancelled induction, I would suggest refusing sweeps and induction, recommending just waiting for spontaneous labour with a bit of nipple stimulation and/or oral dh's goodies if getting desparate.

Again, that's my opinion having done my research for my VBAC.

It's difficult to make an informed decision when the HCPs tend to be economical with the pros and cons. Keep asking for them and insist on evidence based research to back up the procedures they 'offer'

Sorry, I think I'm being a bit too militant, off to have a sit down

Original poster

Jaysecond · 15/03/2007 21:57

lol doulaklaw, i welcome all advice and thoughts, militant or not, its good to make an informed choice, and lets face it at the end of the day, its all our own choices we make, so long as we are not 'bullied' into making them.

Zzoey, i am 7 days over, with a baby that was estimated to be 9lbs at 38 weeks....although what relevance that has to me having a sweep is i dont know!

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themildmanneredjanitor · 15/03/2007 22:01

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deaconblue · 16/03/2007 08:59

I found it no worse than a smear test and it got me started with ds. Actually the 2nd one did. I'm sure it's better than being induced as you can go home and wait for labour to start and labour at home for as long as you can.

Original poster

Jaysecond · 16/03/2007 14:20

Well i had the sweep, and it was fine, not uncomfortable at alland by all accounts its very favourable. MW reckons that it will have a positive effect and that the baby should be here this weekend.. so will wait now and see what happens!

OP posts:

deaconblue · 16/03/2007 14:49

hurrah! Good luck, go out for a walk this evening and maybe it'll come tonight. Keep us posted

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