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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Membrane sweep?? Do they actually work??

12 replies

LoFo2013 · 27/11/2013 08:14

Hello :-)
I have a membrane sweep booked at 39weeks (18th December), just wondering do they actually work? Would apreciate any feedback.. Im on dc2 due 26th December... Hoping to be a good few days early or late!!

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Cariad007 · 27/11/2013 08:22

I thought they're only done if you go past your due date?

Original poster

LoFo2013 · 27/11/2013 08:30

Well i thought that too but it would mean at 41weeks it would be 1st january no clinics on then and nothing before that so to be on the safe side im booked for a sweep at 39weeks and will discuss then about an induction date incase nothing happens?? Tbh i think my consultant is going on holiday and just wants the easy life

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MissRatty · 27/11/2013 08:53

Apparently thete's a 24% chance of going into labour within 48 hours of a sweep. I only know this as I had one on Monday (no they don't always wait until you are overdue, there can be a number of reasons for doing it). As for mine, not much has happened (yet). My cervix was favourable and the baby's head right down, so if something does happen it could be because it was going to anyway. I have had my period type cramp increasing in frequency and painfulness and lost my mucus plug, but as with everything in pregnancy, it culd mean labour is hours to weeks away!

Original poster

LoFo2013 · 27/11/2013 09:01

Oh i really hope it does work then.. I dont really want to be going into labour over xmas dinner lol

Iv been gettin period type pains for a couple weeks now and in nesting mode atm, im constantly symptom spotting though as i want this baby early.
Iv got a 1yo and would love to have xmas where i can move and bend to help him with his prezzies but we all know babies come when cooked n knowing my luck it will be xmas eve ha!

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UpTheFRIGGinDuff · 27/11/2013 09:01

I think,like most methods of induction,it's only going to happen if you're about to go into labour anyway,it can just speed things up a bit.

In my case,I had one at 39+2 and had DS the next morning.
My MW said I was already 3cm dilated and my cervix was soft,baby's head was low etc,so I could have been about to go anyway...

callamia · 27/11/2013 09:06

Worked for me, but I was a week overdue.
I think the thing is, they're helpful if you're already on your way, but if nit, then nothing will happen (or it won't even be possible to do). I don't think there's any harm in trying. We didn't discuss induction until I was 41 weeks - there was no point, it can be booked as last minute as necessary. He ended up arriving (two sweeps later) on my induction date anyway :)

Original poster

LoFo2013 · 27/11/2013 18:03

I see, thanx ladies i feel ready lol but we will see once the 18th comes, i have GBS too so if waters go il have to go straight in regardless of contracting or not. Last time i was induced because waters (GBS again) went but when they examined me i was 4cm so went straight onto the drip. Hoping this sweep gets something going as im fed up now

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SuperLovefuzz · 29/11/2013 01:10

I'm 40+2 and had a sweep done last night. Was told by the doc there's a 50% chance of going into labour within 48hrs, but this might be because I'm already overdue. I lost my mucus plus today and having mild periody cramps, so it seems to have moved things on a bit for me. I was already 1cm dilated at the time though so might be a coincidence. Good luck!

Original poster

LoFo2013 · 29/11/2013 19:13

Ooo thanx n good luck to you hope you have your LO soon!!

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atomicyoghurt · 29/11/2013 19:20

It's quite normal to have cramps and a bit of bloody mucus come out after a sweep but it's not necessarily your plug if you see what I mean. I've had 6 over the years and only 1 worked.
I think it only helps if you are about to drop anyway.
The most recent one I had was the third one I had had on that pregnancy and it was on my due date. I walked down the stairs from the ward (three flights), walked home and 'ran' up and down the stairs at home 10 times (yes I was desperate) . Contractions started 20 minutes later and baby arrived within the hour.

If you want it to work I would take positive action. Do stairs. Lots of stairs. Get on a trampoline !

SuperLovefuzz · 29/11/2013 19:58

It was a LOT so I'm pretty sure it was my plug, hope so anyway! Is my first baby though so nothing really to compare it to. Going to try stairs now cos no further movement!

Original poster

LoFo2013 · 29/11/2013 20:27

With my first i was doing squats the day before, i was induced day after because my waters had gone (not in a gush more of a trickle) and needed anti biotics asap.. Today iv had alot of discharge no plug as of yet. Im getting impatient lol really want to meet her now!

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