Membrane sweep - what's it like?

[whitie]

I'm over my due date by a day now and have a midwife appointment tomorrow where I'm sure she'll talk to me about booking an induction. Someone said that I might be offered a membrane sweep first and I'd love to hear what it's like before I answer tomorrow. I've read about it and it sounds uncomfortable in a similar way to a smear test, is that right? The book said it can cause bleeding and irrregular painful contrations that lead to nothing, have any of you had that? I would love to hear your experiences.

I had one when I had been having contractions for 3 days and nights without getting anywhere! It was a bit uncomfortable and undignified when it was being done, but much much less painful than the contractions I was having! Mine didn't cause any bleeding and as I was having contractions anyway, I don't know if it made me have more. Anyway, my dd was born 36 hours later.

Smear test a good comparison for me - I was 1cm dilated apparently when I had mine at 6 days overdue, so it was fairly painless though uncomfortable.

I'd have it as late as you can manage - my unscientific impression would be that it only moves things along if you're already getting very near to being in labour anyway. Maybe have one at about 40 +10 or so if you can get it? I'd certainly have one rather than go straight to a hospital induction without it, but otherwise wouldn't bother. Only my opinion - very best of luck, and we hope to see your birth announcement soon!

PS had my sweep at 3 pm, waters broke at 4 pm, baby born 11.14 pm...

Like an over zealous smear!

I had one at 8 days over, DD2 was born the next morning.

i had a couple when pg with ds3. was a bit uncomfortable but not painful. after each i had a bit of a show and some contractions but nothing else. however i went into labour naturally a couple of days after the second and was induced with first two kids so i think it moved things along a bit even if it didnt start off labour immediately. mw told me they were having quite a high success rate. i would ask if she doesnt offer

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I had one at 8 days over, the doctor said she didn't really manage to locate my cervix! However my waters broke 6 hours later and 4 hours after that dd was born.

A bit uncomfortable but I think that is because she had to search around a bit.

It should be fine provided you have started to get ready for labour, if you see what I mean. I had one done when I was 3cm and it was rather uncomfortable, and like a smear, you had to relax as much as possible as tensing would only make it worse.

It did cause some bleeding, and irregular contractions that ultimately didn't go anywhere, they weren't that painful though (may have felt like it at the time but now I view them from the other side of labour )

But thank god for Mumsnet - we Junies had been discussing sweeps just beforehand, so I was reassured by knowing other people had survived the process, as the girl in the bed next to me in hospital was given one first and it was clearly very painful for her, she was crying at the end of it. Mw explained to me that her cervix hadn't 'come forward' as she wasn't really in early labour. So like acnebride, I'd support waiting if you can.

I had one on my due date, after I'd been having contractions off and on for about 48 hours. Bingo, 1 hour later my waters broke and dd was born about 7 hours later. Think she was on her way anyway - so I'd probably only have another this time if I go beyond 40 weeks or have been having niggling contractions for a while. Good luck. Get lots of rest NOW while you have the chance!

Had one both times, at 8 days over and 10 days over. Babies born 12 hours and 24 hours later.

Whitie - I had one when I was 39 wks pg as I'd had a tiny bleed. On examination the MW discovered I was 2cm dilated. I wasn't in labour though. She did a membrane sweep and I was in full swing 48 hrs later.

The sweep wasn't at all painful, but that might have been coz I was already 2cm dilated.... so she could easily waggle her finger around in there.

I had 4 membrane sweeps prior to having son however none of them helped bring him along any quicker, it wasn't very uncormfortable and I would deffinately ask for one again if I was overdue to try and help things along

I had a sweep at 41 weeks - like everyone says, it's no more uncomfortable than a smear when it's being done although it takes a bit longer. I did feel quite bruised round there that evening though, and very weepy (someone else on MN said a while back that this happened to them, so not just me being a bit mental, honest...). No contractions at all though, and ds wasn't born till a week later.

I'd def have one before an induction, but otherwise if nothing's happening I'd probably leave it as late as poss.

I had one with ds2. Found it very uncomfortable and probably more painful than a smear. By that evening I was in a very half-hearted labour, which with the help of TENS machine continued. These 2 factors meant ds2's labour was a lot longer than ds1 - I would leave it longer next time (4 wks until I'm due!) and let the baby come on its own if poss!

My MW recommended I had 2 sweeps before they would induce me in case the 1st one didn't work (it didn't), however the 2nd one caused me to have a show, then within a few hours I was in labour - such a relief as I was booked in to be induced the next day. IT is not much worse then a smear and you may get little bit of bleeding afterwards, i'd definately have one, espcially if you are coming up to your induction date.

I haven't read the whole thread, but it can also make you feel quite weepy and emotional (like PMT). My midwife said it would have about as much effect (or not) as intercourse!
Good luck

I had one at 8 days over with ds1 and although my cervix was closed it didn't hurt at all. ds born 36 hours later

Had another for ds2 at 2 days before due date and I was 3 cm and it was more uncomfortable. The consultant pulled out my plug on his hand too, not pleasant, but baby born 18 hours later.

I would definitely have one before starting an induction, it just jiggles things a bit, IMO better than lots of artificial drugs, a lot getler too.

I haven't read all this thread but i had one with ds1 because my waters had gone 11 days late but no contractions. I found it incredibly painful - one of the most painful parts of labour (and I've had forceps with a local, a posterior and a face presentation!). I expect I just wasn't 'ready' - it gave me ineffectual but painful contractions for a day before I really got started. Having said that prostin is worse (to induce you) so I would have it done again. My midwife says if I'm over she will come to the house to do it which sounds better than days in hospital.

Rachy1969 - I'm with you - had to make the m/w stop it was so uncomfortable. I was nowhere near ready and resulted in induction.

Just read a bit more of this....I think my cervix was tight shut (my waters were only leaking) but if you are dilated a little its probably not so bad.

They virtually had to hold me down, I was halfway up the wall! Quite barbaric what we go through! I might need gas and air this time

Thanks for all your replies girls, I'm so pleased I asked because when I saw mw today she asked me if I'd come prepared for a stretch and sweep, yet last week they said I wouldn't be offered one yet so I was surprised but not too scared after all your advice. I found it uncomfortable but it didn't hurt and I'm 1cm dilated so I'll go for a long walk this evening, have raspberry leaf tea and sex and hopefully something will happen

It's like having someone rummaging around in your minge and bloody painful! I didn't find it totally unbearable though

good luck Whitie - let us know how you get on

I had one with my last and found it very uncomfortable but it did not do much for me and I was still there a week and half later until my waters went. Good Luck