membrane sweeps

6 replies

strawberrycrumble · 18/03/2010 14:55

Hi everyone, last time I saw my midwife she said they would do a membrane sweep at 41 weeks, on the actual day of the appointment I would be 41+1 as my clinic is only 1 day per week. I am seeing her next when I am 40+1 and considering asking for one then instead, or at least for her to check if I am 'favourable' to have one.
Any reason why she would refuse me, or does it vary on different health authorites policies?

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TOK · 18/03/2010 15:36

There's no reason why she should refuse you seeing as you are full term. It may be that your cervix is unfavourable- mine was on 2 attempts at a sweep! DD born at 42 weeks. I hope you don't go that far over. You shouldn't have a problem getting a sweep though. Good luck! xxx

FatSeal · 18/03/2010 16:25

Should be alright, I had mine at 40+3 with the desired effect

queenofthehouse · 18/03/2010 16:35

I had two the first was very unsuccessful and at 40+4 but then my actual midwife gave me one at 40+5 and goodness that worked and I could tell the difference between who had the most experience of giving them-the first was uncomfortable the second was very uncomfortable but it only lasted a few seconds and it worked within a few hours labour started. I bet she wont refuse if she has the time, my midwife was all for giving it me asap. Good Luck, x

Stickhasgrownup · 18/03/2010 17:05

I had mine at 39 weeks! Obviously impatient! It did the trick too

growingweeble · 18/03/2010 18:30

I'm now 41+ weeks, and was really keen to have one a few days ago. But, I saw the MW this afternoon and decided to wait until Sunday. I don't want to start things up if they aren't really ready. Having a sweep too early can lead to a longer labour... but not always of course. It depends on how ready your body is.

I could also have just chickened out this afternoon and am now trying to rationalise why!

LizP77 · 18/03/2010 20:48

Hi everyone...

I'm 40 weeks now with my first baby, due date was Tuesday just gone. I went to my midwife today and we discussed me having a sweep as I wanted to give myself as much time as possible to have a natural labour, and avoid being induced. Anyway...as she did the sweep it turned out that I have a 'narrow pubic arch' and couldn't reach the cervix.
As this happened to anyone else?

At the time, this threw me into major panic as she said it may make a 'natural birth' tricky? Hadn't even given C-section a thought up until now, but maybe we need to??

Would be nice to hear some positive stories from people in similar situations...

Liz...

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