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Original poster

Anyone Had A Membrane Sweep - Did It Work?

67 replies

emmanumber3 · 03/08/2011 13:22

Hi! Just that really, have you ever had a membrane sweep & did it make any difference?

I had one about 24 hrs ago & apart from a few "twinges" nothing's happened. Am due to have another one next Tuesday. I'm only 37+3 but have had loads of problems during the later stages of pregnancy so can't wait to get the baby safely delivered now!

If the sweep is going to help, does it normally happen within 24 hrs or is there still hope? Smile

Many thanks.

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twittertotter · 03/08/2011 13:29

I had 3 with my first - none of them worked :-( had to be chemically induced in the end... cant rememebr how long they are meant to take to effect anything - someone a bit smarter than me will be along shortly to explain more I'm sure.

PacificDogwood · 03/08/2011 13:33

They work if your body is 'ready' to go into labout - at 37 weeks it might possibly be a bit early. Was your cervic open enough to allow for a finger or two to enter and sweep around the inside? If so, with a bit of luck a cascade of homones will be set off that might start labour.

FWIW, I had 2 sweeps with DS1, still ended up induced at T+15 and had an absolutely fine delivery.
DS2 was CS.
DS3 I had 2 sweeps, the second at T+10 and it worked within 36 hours or so.
DS4 waters broke bang on his date Grin.

Good luck! Keep active (I still swear that running after DS2 to who had just got rid of the stabilisers of his bike with my enormous bump is what set me off, not the sweep Wink...).

Original poster
emmanumber3 · 03/08/2011 13:44

Thanks for your replies. The Consultant that did it said that she'd "managed to give things a good sweep around" but that the "head is still too far up to make me want to induce yet". (She is well known for not liking to induce).

Totally by coincidence I've had to take my car in to the garage today so shall be making the most of having to walk everywhere (helps that it's a lovely warm day), rather than giving in to the temptation of borrowing DH's car instead Smile.

I was hoping that as this is my 3rd, she might be ready to arrive a bit early - wishful thinking and all that Grin.

OP posts:
owlbooty · 03/08/2011 14:10

My MW was talking to me about this last week and said that she's finding the first one appears to do nowt and then a second one often kicks things off properly. I'm in a similar position to you and am having sweep no. 1 tomorrow at 39+6 - like you I am really hoping it does something!

Good that your consultant is not trying to rush chemical induction, though :) Good luck!

Original poster
emmanumber3 · 03/08/2011 14:47

Thanks. Looks like I'll have to hope that the second one does something then Hmm.

Good luck with yours too owlbooty Grin.

OP posts:
oinkyoink · 03/08/2011 14:56

Yes! Combined with some reflexology!!!

PacificDogwood · 03/08/2011 19:31

Oh, nr 3, emma (I suppose your name should have given me a hint Blush) - there is every chance you'll 'go' a bit earlier!

With DS3 I was aiming for a VBAC and had been told a chemical induction would not be possible due to the risk of uterine rupture so tried anything and everything I could think of to set off labour (I'll not bore you with a list). As I went 10 days over with him, I just assumed DS4 would be similar and that I simply cooked them a bit longer - imagine my surprise when my waters broke on his due date and he appeared 3 hours later ShockGrin.

Good luck to all of you.

MonsterBookOfTysons · 03/08/2011 19:34

Yes it definately worked, and saved me from being induced Grin oh i was 38.6 weeks at the time. Dd arrived 00.30 at 39 weeks after an easy 3 hour labour. :)

PrincessJenga · 03/08/2011 19:58

I had one this morning. Nothing yet.

del1 · 03/08/2011 20:03

I had one with DC2, at 40+2. It was about 4.30pm, and felt rough afterwards.
Had mild cramps - which the midwife said I probably would.
But when I got up the next morning at 7am, I started contracting quickly and she was born at 10am
The midwife did say I was favourable at the time, and she could put 2 fingers up ( 2cm dialated already apparently).
I will defo have one this time if offered!

Original poster
emmanumber3 · 03/08/2011 21:28

Ooo - so still possible something might happen Smile. Watch this space! (as it were).

OP posts:
jimmijam · 04/08/2011 19:20

had several with my 1st but none of them worked, i believe baby comes when he/she is ready and most of the rest of the pineapple/sex etc methods (tried all those with her too) can just be coincidence if labour starts after.
but
have heard of a few ppl who truly believe in it.
its completely up to you, but to be fair i personally dont see the harm in getting one done anyway if you're debating it

MrsVidic · 04/08/2011 19:26

had 2 with dd1- first at 40 weeks- it didnt hurt and nothing happened, the second at 41 weeks - bloody killed! Went into labour at 1.30am (roughly 12 hours after the sweep)and had dd at 8am that morning!

Had my first with this pregnancy today at 13.30- mild cramps but no show yet. She said I was 2cm and cervix was flat!?! Fingers crossed it works!

Original poster
emmanumber3 · 05/08/2011 00:44

Flat cervix? Is that good? Grin. I've definitely had more pains since my sweep on Tuesday but nothing more than that. I'm really hoping the second one works if the Consultant is still willing to do it next Tuesday.

OP posts:
MrsVidic · 05/08/2011 05:20

F all has happened thou Sad

bessie26 · 05/08/2011 05:30

I think it can sometimes take upto 48hrs to have an effect. I had one (@40+4) started contractions the next evening & had DD2 the next morning Smile

insanityscatching · 05/08/2011 05:50

I had one on due date, waters broke following morning but still needed chemical induction two days later.

pictish · 05/08/2011 05:55

Yes and yes.

I had a sweep in the morning, and my waters broke that evening just as I was settling down to watch Shameless.

PrincessJenga · 05/08/2011 06:15

Still nothing here. Lots of cramping, but no contractions. I've got another one booked today. REALLY hope it works!

pictish · 05/08/2011 06:15

Are you just totally fed up now?

EmLH · 05/08/2011 06:21

I had mine at 5pm, went home and got a full nights sleep and then went into labour at 7am the next morning. I was two weeks overdue though!

Hopefully Tuesday's will work if this one doesn't :)

MrsVidic · 05/08/2011 06:22

Yes to the point of desperation- just been for a walk in my pj's to try and get things happening! I'm sure the crazy lady walking in her pjs in the rain at 5.30 in the morning will get me on crimewatch in this suburban estate! It's v desperate housewives- someone even popped a Congrats card through my door yesterday as they thought baby had come as I have a vase of flowers in my window

PrincessJenga · 05/08/2011 06:22

Well, it's 6.15 and I've been up watching crap telly for the last hour as I can't sleep... yes, I'm fed up!!! I think I'm mostly getting frustrated about the pressure everyone else is putting on me. Texts and facebook are not my friends at the moment! If the sweep doesn't work then the midwives want to induce me on Monday and that's what's worrying me. I had a lovely, natural homebirth planned and now I'm looking at a lot of intervention. Physically I still feel great, but emotionally I'm a bit all over the place. Come on baby!!! Are you overdue too?

PrincessJenga · 05/08/2011 06:24

Ah MrsV, I feel your pain. Will walking in your PJs bring on labour? I'm willing to give it a go!

pictish · 05/08/2011 06:25

My boys came a couple of days early each, but dd was six days overdue and I remember that feeling of 'Oh come ON now!!'
The cervical sweep seemed to do the trick though. I actually cheered when my waters broke!

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