Membrane Sweep at 39 Weeks - Good Idea?

[ClareSud]

Hi all,

I'm currently 38 weeks pregnant, and my midwife has suggested a membrane sweep next week, at 39 + 1.

The reason for this is that my baby appears to be ENORMOUS. My bump has consistently measured big for dates, so they did a scan last week (at 37 weeks) and estimated that the baby weighed 9lb 9oz already, and would be over 11 lb by the time the due date came along. This has put them all in a panic and they want the baby born sooner rather than later, so it can't get any bigger.

I'm not diabetic or obese, so the Giant Baby is a bit of a mystery - my first child (this is my second) was 8lb exactly. I've indulged a sweet tooth during this pregnancy, so maybe that's it.

But anyway. They're suggesting a membrane sweep at 39+1, then if nothing happens, an appt with consultant at 40 + 1 (instead of the usual 40 + 10), at which point I presume they'll suggest full induction.

My first child was born naturally, with small episiotomy. I have no other health problems - blood pressure, iron levels etc are all fine.

I just can't decide whether to agree to this membrane sweep or not. I see the sense in encouraging the baby to come early, but I'd also like to trust in my body to do things naturally as much as poss.

Does anyone have any knowledge / opinions about any drawbacks or benefits of doing a sweep so early?

As growth scans are inaccurate and your not diabetic, I would wait for the baby to come naturally and decline both the sweep and induction.

Don't be in too much of a panic about your baby being so huge.

I was told at 36 weeks (from a scan not measurements)that my baby was already 7 and a half lbs which would have made her nearly 10lbs by 40 weeks. When she arrived (at 40 weeks exactly) she was only 8.4lbs. I have heard SOOO many stories where the midwives or doctors scare the crap out of mums with stories of ginormous babies which all come to nothing. I don't actually think they are very good at estimating weight.

The programme on ITV about big babies recently had a doctor or consultant saying ultrasound scans are like trying to guess the waist measurement of your trousers when you're lying in a bath in the next room.
I had lots of discussions with midwife about sweeps - she did her dissertaion on them and I didn't really want one. I don't believe they do any good if the body isn't ready for baby to come out. She did one once my waters had broken and the labour was quick for a first time mum so I think it helped as my body was going into labour anyway.
At the end of the day it's your body and your decision - I would only go with what you're comfortable with so you don't regret the decision later.

with DD her growth scan estimated 9.5lbs at term & she was 8lb8.5oz at 39+4

with DS they said again 9.5lbs at term, yeah right I thought - he was 10lb10.5oz @ 40+10

so yes they are inaccurate but both ways.

I had a sweep at 39+4 with DS as I was hoping for a VBAC. It was BL*DY painful as my cervix was so high they couldn't even reach it. Had two further sweeps at 40+4 & 40+8 neither worked (DS ened up being born by el c/s @40+10, long story...)

So what I'm trying to say (bit long winded, sorry) is that I think sweeps only work if you were going to go into labour in two or three days anyway & they just speed things along a bit, otherwise they are a waste of time.