Bleeding after Membranes Swept

[mkksmom]

I went to the OB today and caved and let her sweep me. We are all healthy right now and she said I was 2-3 cm dilated and that it might stir up some nice contractions. When she did it, there was blood on the glove and she said it's normal, btu ran an NST and baby looked great. Ever since, I have had some blood... gooey and thick mostly, some right red. She said to call if it's like a period and is more than spotting. Well, when I am sitting around, it slows down and when I am on my feet it picks up again. Not gushing or even dripping, but it's more. Bleeding makes me nervous! I should have declined the sweep, but I didn't. I don't know if I should lay around to let the bleeding stop or be up and moving to encourage contractions and get done what I need to accomplish today.

Anyone know anything about this?

[2boyzmama]

I think it's pretty normal to bleed after a sweep. Your cervix is very ripe, there's lots of blood in that area, so the slightest irritation can cause it to bleed. That's why "bloody show" is a sign of labor. It might look like more because of mucous being mixed in, too.

I wouldn't worry unless it's an actual flow.

But, I've also never had a membrane sweep...

[coldandsleepy]

I was just looking this up yesterday, as my doctor and I had discussed possibly doing a membrane sweep at my afternoon appointment. And actually, I was just coming to look for threads on bloody show to try and figure out if that's what's happening with me today (post yesterday's sweep :P) or not, because I'm also getting a really gooey, kinda gushy blood-tinged discharge.

What I found from reading yesterday is that it is TOTALLY normal to bleed some after membrane stripping/sweeping. There haven't been a whole lot of scientific studies done on sweeping, but all of them have indicated that almost everyone who has a sweep bleeds and feels a significant amount of discomfort and/or pain.

Personally, I would probably go ahead and call your provider if you're worried about it. That's what you pay her for, right?

[mkksmom]

My gut says all is well, and it's just spotting now, so I think I'll ride itout a bit more. This is well within what she described as normal. It didn't hurt at all when she did it, which I read is a sign that your body is ready. They don't sweep routinely, only when things are looking like you are getting closer and only if you want them to. I trust my doctor, so I am going to rest in that.

I ended up taking a nap, and I plan to do the dishes and see what happens. I just wonder if it is normal to bleed when you are in labor because I never did with my daughter until I guess when she was crowning.

[2boyzmama]

Originally Posted by mkksmom

My gut says all is well, and it's just spotting now, so I think I'll ride itout a bit more. This is well within what she described as normal. It didn't hurt at all when she did it, which I read is a sign that your body is ready. They don't sweep routinely, only when things are looking like you are getting closer and only if you want them to. I trust my doctor, so I am going to rest in that.

I ended up taking a nap, and I plan to do the dishes and see what happens. I just wonder if it is normal to bleed when you are in labor because I never did with my daughter until I guess when she was crowning.

Yes, some slight bleeding is normal, particularly in early labor. Your cervix is very vascular, so as it begins to dilate, some of those capilaries could burst and you could bleed. Hence "bloody show". A large amount of blood is never normal, but some mucousy blood is.

[mkksmom]

This is pretty dark, but the doctor saw it and said it was normal. Baby is moving OK, but I am still bleeding. Regretting letting her sweep me, though. I think they feel I am very close to labor. I am finding stories where this is pretty common on google searches. It's more when I am active and slows when I rest. They have evening hours tonight, so I think I will call and check in again this evening if I am feeling the slightest bit off.

[tinyblackdot]

My sister had light "period" like bleeding 2 days before her water broke.

[mkksmom]

I just talked to my fried, and she had even more bleeding when she was in labor, so I feel better. Well, that and it slowed down to just a little pink spotting.