How much does a membrane sweep really hurt?

[dreamerkr]

Hey guys, I’m currently 36+1 and I have agreed to membrane sweeps at weeks 38, 39 and 40 as I want a VBAC. My 38 week midwife appointment is at 38+4 which is when I will have the sweep, if I don’t naturally go into labour before that (I’m guessing I won’t). Tbh I’m really scared because I’m not good at all with internal examinations. I’ve only had speculum exams before including one last week (which they tried but were unsuccessful as I was too scared) because of reduced movements. Anyway, are they as bad as speculum exams or worse? How much do they hurt? I feel like maybe I’ve made a mistake in choosing VBAC instead of another ELCS.. the only reason I chose VBAC is because maybe the recovery will be easier with a toddler but now I don’t know anymore. I’m more scared of the internal exams than the labour pain.

Also, as with anything else, you can withdraw consent at any point so if you start a sweep and decide it's not for you, you can stop. Id discuss your feelings before hand with the midwife so she knows how nervous you're feeling about it.

I found it absolutely horrific, and about the same as a smear which I've always really struggled with. Both have me screaming and crying and almost throwing up.

You don’t have to have sweeps, many women don’t have any at all.
you also don’t have to be induced. Induction of labour is nationally recommended from 41 weeks, but actually the risk of stillbirth doesn’t really start to increase till 42 weeks (and even then the increase is very small).

Your best chance of having a successful VBAC is a spontaneous labour.

I had four with my first, two were fine and two were painful. The last and most painful kickstarted labour. I had two with my second baby, both painful but again they got labour going. It’s literally 30 seconds of pain and then it’s gone as soon as they’re done.
I would maybe not do the 38 week one as they’re useless if your body is not ready anyway. I was 41+2 and 40+2 when I had my successful ones.

I had three with my son because he was 9 days overdue and honestly it was just pressure, I don’t remember any pain from them.

I think it depends who does it. Some people are more thorough than others and therefore it was more uncomfortable. However in my experience, if it isn't painful or uncomfortable, it's not going to work

Absolutely this. I really recommend you join the VBAC group on Facebook some really good advice on here. I’ve had a successful VBAC and I avoided interventions I refused sweeps and I refused induction due to such a bad experience 1st time around which resulted in an emergency c section.
Is there a medical reason why you have to be induced? If not refuse. My successful VBAC was at 41+2.

I had one at 41 weeks with ds and it was uncomfortable but certainly better than an induction. I went into labour a few hours later. I still needed a emcs (not very emergency) as I failed to progress.

You asked about home made ways to induce labour....stay away from the ones thay will agitate the bowels, do you really want the runs while giving birth?
But getting the oxytocin flowing and softening the cervix with sex might be helpful. And walks on hills of one foot on and one foot off the curb are said to get the baby down the pelvis.

Bad dancing, according to Meghan Markle.... :)

@Babybaby2025 are you a redhead? Dm is a redhead ( now grey) and always needs stronger sedation in order for it to have an effect.

It is a little like a coil fitting, slightly uncomfortable but nothing to bad, I understand that relaxing is difficult but if you calm yourself down and deep breath, it is much easier.
it works a treat. I went into labour about 21 hours later.
Exciting times OP. 💓

I haven't had one because I refused it, told them I'd have an elective c-section over induction (in England doctors don't seem to like women making choices about their own bodies but I held firm on this one).

Some of my friends said it was fine, others said painful. Your own personal threshold will affect this, but also the expertise/care of the person doing the sweep.

My mum had one and even 40 years later she says she felt like she'd been seriously sexually assaulted, they were so rough with her. Now, you'd hope practices would have become better - you must tell them of your concerns, if they seem dismissive of your pain then it's a red flag imo.

Definitely depends on your midwife’s ability to do it I found! It’s worse than a smear I would say, sounds silly but I wanted it to hurt so I knew something had happened. When it didn’t hurt they weren’t successful and when they did I went into labour shortly after.

Extremely painful for me. But sounds variable! I had them during labour.

I had reflexology with one of mine and went into labour within 24 hours. You need to find one who understands it’s to bring on labour and stimulate your uterus but it’s worth a shot! I’ve also had a sweep and didn’t find it uncomfortable but I’ve had quite a few internals so maybe I’m more used to all that. Also my first was emergency c section but next 2 were vbac, last one was another emergency but I really wanted to try too so I could drive etc. Good luck!

Im not, though very fair and a lot of red heads in the family if that's relevant 😆

Dm recently needed an endoscopy and the first try had to be stopped as she could still feel everything. The next time they used a much stronger sedative and it was fine. It is well known so maybe you are half a redhead!

It was a bit awkward and uncomfortable, not really painful (especially when compared to giving birth, lol).

I had a sweep at 40wk my due date - while she was doing it (very gently I didn’t experience pain) my waters broke !! I cried and apologised for pissing on her table (I thought the pressure was wee) she smiled and said in my 30yrs of midwifery you are the second woman this has happened too - 8 hrs later my DS was born - don’t worry to much, explain your fears I’m sure it’ll be fine x

I had a couple of sweeps while I was being induced (the induction was not working and took multiple attempts). I found them really sore but was luckily offered gas and air which I needed! I am ok with the speculum though.

I’m really squeamish/nervous about all kinds of examinations, blood tests, etc. but I had 3 sweeps and honestly they aren’t that bad.

I would say a bit more painful than an examination or a smear, maybe similar to having the coil put in, but it’s pretty quick and totally bearable imo. Just gotta grit your teeth a few seconds.

I did bleed a little bit after.

@Manthide

Interesting, perhaps. Will warn them if I ever need sedated again!

Thank you so much guys

Same here. I had progressed rapidly and was asked to have a VE to see how far along I was. It's the closest I've come to blacking out with pain and I've had kidney stones. I was 9cm dilated and I don't think a sweep/stretch type thing was needed at all but they had just done it anyway without asking. So I would advise anyone to specifically say before a VE if you do not consent to a sweep. That said, a more pre planned antenatal one is probably not as bad as you're not already in pain and in active labour. I've heard a lot of people say they are not that bad.