Membrane sweep??? Anyone had one.

[Mummato4]

Hi,

I'm due on Friday, homebirth,number 4. If it decideds not to show my midwife has offered to do a membrane sweep! What is this? Does it work? Does it make labour quicker or does it just get things going??
My lump is moving ALL the time never seems to settle and so have got it into my head that its just not ready!!!!!!!!! (Lets hope its not like this when born!!!??? I will try all the normal stuff sex, pineapple, curry, long walk, washing the floor etc etc but dont wanna go over board and wear myself out. HELP!

Mummato4 or about to be!! I hope x

You'll get a range of answers here, I'm guessing. I had a sweep and it didn't do a thing, but I know women whio have gone into labour hours after a sweep so...worth a try!

It doesn't make labour quicker at all, by the way. It can help to start the ball rolling if your cervix is already 'ripe' - ie. softened and effaced... I think. Sure a doula or MW will be along to advise soon!

had a sweep at 41 +3, had been having mild cx every night for weeks, was already at 4cm when mw did the sweep. it did hurt a bit but not lots. got first proper cx about a minute after sweep, so pretty effective in my case , but I think I was in slow labour anyway. had a lovely hb. wishing you a lovely hb as well

I had a sweep at 40+6, in labour 24 hours after and had dd 24 hours after that (probably would have been quicker but had epidural)

I had to BEG for one as midwife support round here so crap. was going loopy waiting and waiting for dd to arrive.

wasnt too uncomfortable, but think it depends on dexterity and experience of midwife doing it. certainly not painful more like a thorough smear test. laid on bed in hospital for a bit with lady garden on display , went home, then all go the evening after!

good luck and congrats in advance xx

I had one, would say quite uncomfortable but not painful, depends on how ready your cervix is and therefore how far forward it is to how uncomfortable it is. When it ripens it moves forward and is more accessable for the midwife to reach. I think they just quickly sweep a finger round the cervix to seperate the membranes and release labour hormones or something like that, not totally sure so don't quote me on that! Anyway I found it just like a but of pushing/pressure as the mw tried to find the right place and a bit of poking around but was over very quickly, not my finest moment but would have one again if I was pregnant again and was offered one.
It didn't actually start my laobur but I believe it moved things along a bit, I had a show after I had it over a few days and once I was induced I went in to labour quickly and had ds in about 7hrs .
Good luck whatever you decide, you'll be fine