What's a "sweep"??

[MrsRV]

32 weeks, you'd think I'd know by now?? :-)

It is a person who cleans chimneys isn't it?

I was lucky enough to have four of these whilst waiting for DD to arrive. Sorry if any of this is tmi but you did ask! A midwife inserts two fingers into your cervix and makes a circular motion around the neck to separate the membranes. It can often bring on labour within 48 hours (although not for me, I was induced in the end!) It can be a little uncomfortable but I would much rather have gone into labour as a result of that small discomfort than had to be induced.

A membrane sweep involves a vaginal examination where the MW or Obstetrician inserts a finger into your cervix to try and separate the amniotic sac from the uterine wall - by irritating the cervix in this way, the hope is that spontaneous labour can be triggered. They're only thought to work if you're actually going to go into labour soon anyway though.

It's usually done after 40 weeks, it's entirely optional and can be rather uncomfortable (some women don't mind them at all, others find them bloody agonising).

I had one and DS arrived 1 hr 47 mins after she stuck her fingers up me lol!!

Obstetricians are divided about whether they are a good idea or not, as if they don't work, there is a risk that infection might be introduced. My Obs is very anti-them (she induces at 41 weeks but leaves alone till then) but others do them a lot, but only after 40 weeks

Sounds lovely... DECLINE.

I had four of these, too. The final one started things off for me but I still ended up having syntocinon drip as DS wasn't keen on making his entrance. While it wasn't fun it wasn't awful and if there's a chance of a sweep before pessaries etc etc I'd have it done again.