Sweeping Membranes

[luv2bmommie]

At my 37 week appointment yesterday my midwife said she could sweep my membranes if I was softened and opened up. Of course I was not, but if my body progresses at the next appointment is this something you would have done. Has anyone had any experience with this? Thanks

Mama to Alexis 8/1/03 and expecting baby Dylan 6/22/06

[mountainsun]

no experience but I have heard that it is rather uncomfortable and does not always result in labor starting......

[Caroline248]

It is very uncomfortable (it hurt like hell)...It worked for me, but I was past my due date. I wouldn't do it this early..

~C~

[ckhagen]

I'm 37w too...
Honestly, at 37 weeks there's no way I would do it.
It's just too "iffy". It's possible for her to accidentally rupture your membranes. As a c-section mom (who's interventions got her there), I'm afraid it would be the one small intervention that would eventually lead to many more and we all know what happens once we go down that road...
It does sound SOOOO tempting though!

[JZDmama]

I had it done 3 times and it didn;t do anything except make me hopeful, then feel let down after.

[Peppamint]

I had it done at 40w5d and 12 hours later Audrey was in my arms. I only did it though because my BP was rising and as far as interventions go it was the best intervention for us. I wouldn't have done it otherwise... and I think it only worked because I had been having prodromal labor since about 36 weeks and I was already 3cm and could be easily stretched to 7cm.

A friend of mine had it done (same midwife) when she was post-dates and it was extremely painful for her and didn't work to boot.

Okay.. sorry to crash your DDC! :

[*guest]

I wouldn't opt for it. Maybe if I were post-dates and trying to avoid a medical induction. It's an induction technique, really, so if you're not ready for the baby to come (either because it works or she accidentally ruptures the membranes), don't risk it. And if it doesn't work, then you had the discomfort and extra fiddling up there for nothing. Then again I'm one of those no vag exams people who sees a no vag exams practice, so I am totally biased

[AugustineM]

I've never had it done but heard that it can *really* hurt!

[luv2bmommie]

Thank you for all of your replies.

After hearing some of your experiences I will not have it done unless necessary. My OB and midwife will not let me go past 40 weeks and VBAC, so maybe I can do it as a last resort to get things going I guess, but am still unsure about it.

Mama to Alexis 8/1/03 and expecting baby Dylan 6/22/06

[PrairieBohemian]

I advise against ALL unneccessary interventions but I am particularily bitter about my experience with this one.

The doctor said I was overdue (which was total BS--actually ds was 2 days EARLY and NOT 2 weeks late) and pressured me into stripping my membranes to avoid inducement. The procedure was very painful and just felt *wrong*. I was so so sorry I agreed to it. After I went home, I started to bleed fairly heavily and labour started. My son wasn't born until 60 hours later (of real-deal labour). I had the intuition that his positioning was a little off and I think that stripping my membranes prematurely started my labour. I would never, ever, ever consider doing this again.

On the other side, some women swear by it! But really, why intervene with the natural rhythms of birth?

[SoCaliMommy]

I had it done on 5/25 and my baby was born on 5/30 so it worked for me.

I was 1cm 50% effaced at my appt when she did it and said it could work or not.
I'm glad i had it done since my baby ended up being 8lbs 14oz and 22" long

[Mearaina]

I've had it done more times then I can count with dds and now this one (done without my permission, I might add : ) It has never hurt me or worked for me. It just gives me more contrax, and since I have been having prodromal labor for a month already I really don't need any more of those . I would consider it as a resort to avoid a medical induction.

[AugustineM]

Originally Posted by luv2bmommie

My OB and midwife will not let me go past 40 weeks and VBAC, so maybe I can do it as a last resort to get things going I guess, but am still unsure about it.

Really, how come? I am VBACing also but they haven't said anything about me going past 40 weeks. They did say that should I go past 42 weeks they won't medically induce me, so I assume they may want to do a repeat cesarean if that happened, but nobody has mentioned it. Did they say why they don't want you to go past 40?

I'll be 40 weeks in... oh... 48 hours...

[BundleFishMama]

I had it done with my second DD a couple days before my due date - actually it didn't hurt at all, but it didn't do anything either!

I would wait as long as possible if I were you - personally I might consider doing it on my due date this time since my DH has to travel a few days later and I don't want him to miss the birth I don't take interventions lightly and I wouldn't do it without a good reason though - but I think it's a least a shot of getting labor to start without the more "serious" stuff like cytotec or pitocin, etc.

[kdabbler]

Personally, I would get it done again. Maybe this Wednesday. With my first dd, I had it done - nothing happened. I had it done again at my next appointment and the baby arrived about 36 hours later.

There is no medical research out there that it hastens labor, but there are initial indications that it reduces the length of time you're in labor. I think 4 hours of labor is pretty fast for a first baby.

To me, the procedure was about as uncomfortable as your standard GYN exam.

[Sydnee]

I had it done with DD's# 2 & 3, and they were both born that same day, I started contractions right away after having it done. So for me it worked great!

[luv2bmommie]

AugustineM- In response to your reply-not sure why, but I am going to ask at this weeks Dr. appt. I just remember my midwife at (Kaiser) mentioned that when I hit 40 weeks I should start thinking of when to schedule a c-sec I would like to avoid it at all costs and I know a lot of vbac candidates can attempt up until 42 weeks. Hopefully i can too.

Thanks

Mama to Alexis 8/1/03 and expecting baby Dylan 6/22/06