Membrane sweeps

Hi Jayne,

We've moved your thread to our Pregnancy board, as we think it's a more appropriate place for this topic and you’re more likely to get responses here.

Thank you x

As long as babu is fully engaged you'll be able to have it and I dont think it's that uncomfortable I had a few with baby number 4

a sweep is a form of induction also i don't know why they would offer that at 38 weeks. i'd really advise against tbh

Offered to people from 39 weeks. It's just a way of bringing on labour without being medically induced

baby will come when baby is ready. there is also a risk on infection with a sweep

I had one with my first and it was very uncomfortable and I went on a Tuesday at 1cm dilated and by Saturday I was 2cm and that was at 41 weeks does help some not others I think of your nervous talk to them about it

38 weeks is a bit early for a sweep isn't it? I was offered one at 40 weeks which I declined as I didn't like the sound of it!!

At 41 weeks I was offered again so bit the bullet as just wanted baby out by then. It wasn't pleasant, but not as bad asI thought it would be. I started contractions in the early hours of the next morning.

Good luck

Hi Jayne, it's Sarah, Netmums Midwife here.

A membrane sweep can be quite uncomfortable as it involves not only a vaginal examination but putting a finger into your cervix and sweeping it around to help separate the bag of membranes from the opening of the cervix (I guess the most comparable experience is getting a smear test).

It can also leave you feeling a bit crampy afterwards and you may get some spotting.

There isn't much written evidence as to how effective sweeps are but anecdotally they seem to often kick-start contractions by stimulating the stretch-receptors in the cervix and generally irritates the area.

Remember though you don't have to have one and if you do decide to go for it, at any point you can change your mind or ask your midwife to stop.

Other things you might like to try to help your body go into labour might be having sex (only if you feel like it!), or even just having a cuddle with your partner, reflexology, acupuncture, exercise like swimming or going for a walk or nipple stimulation / harvesting colostrum.

Basically you need lots of oxytocin (the hormone of love and happiness) so very selfishly do whatever makes you feel loved and happy for the next few weeks!

Best of luck

Midwife Sarah

Thank you Sarah! Went ahead with it today and it wasn't any problem! Uncomfy but not painful. Heads engaged and she managed to get her finger slightly in to cervix so will see what happens 🙂 thanks again!