Membrane Sweep - what’s it like?

[Alsbals]

Hi,

I’m 38+1 with baby no.3. Had a midwife appointment this morning and they offered me a membrane sweep. I declined and the midwife booked me in for next Monday and said if I hadn’t went into labour by then they’d give me a sweep. I went into labour, a couple of days early, on my own with my previous pregnancies. I’ve never been offered a sweep before so I don’t know what it feels like. My previous labours lasted 5 and 3.5 hours.

Is a sweep sore? Uncomfortable? And if I get one, am I likely to have a longer labour? Should I just leave it and let myself go naturally?

Any advice would be appreciated.

I had one at 40+2. Slightly uncomfortable but not painful and I went into labour the next morning.

Oops sent too soon - was my first baby and labour started at 7:30am I.e first contraction. I stayed at home till 8pm and I had him at 1am so I didn't think that was too bad really. He was back to back and had gas and air and a bit of diamorph at the end as the gas was making me feel dizzy. Good luck!

Midwife attempted one on me - I found it quite sore and she couldn't do it as my cervix was too high. Waters broke 4 days later anyway though! You can always refuse if you don't want it.

Thanks @Ribeebie

Yea, that doesn’t sound like a long labour at all. I had fairly easy labours with my previous babies with no pain relief and was hoping for the same this time. Slightly worried if I get a sweep and it puts me into labour, my labour might last longer and I’ll end up needing pain relief. Oh, I was the same with the gas, I hated it lol!

Like someone trying to fit very right shoes round their heel with their fingers. Except it's sweeping their fingers round inside the top of your vagina when there's no room. Not pleasant but ok. Good luck.

Tight shoes not right shoes