HOW successful is a membrane sweep?

[DueMarch2nd]

I have been googling and I cant find an actual answer. Does anyone know how successful sweeps are? Like a percentage or something?

I will be 40+1 when they do mine *hopefully* She said IF my cervix is favourable.... what does that even mean?

Stories of experience are welcome

This is the 2nd thread ive started in like 2 minutes

 

[julchen_79]

Hey DM2, I have no statistics for you but was told they only do them like you say when someone's cervix is favorable and even then there is only a chance of it working. But they say IF it does work then it usually gets things going within 24-48hrs. I believe favorable means that your cervix is not posterior anymore and has considerably begun to soften and dilate a bit so that they can get in there (TMI) to do the sweep. I was checked twice for a sweep but I am not even close to being favorable yet. Good luck to you next week !!

 

[Hollys_Twinny]

I had 1 at 41+1 and I pretty much started getting pains within the next 24hours although it was only slow labour. I had Morgan 2 days later. I no a few girls that it's not worked for others it's worked a treat!!!!

 

[Isobelhh]

I was told it works in 3/10 cases yesterday by midwife and am due to have one next week.

 

[lynnikins]

it depends who does the sweep and how favorable you are , i had 3 sweeps before slow labour started with ds, my opinion is that it helped me avoid induction with him

 

[bigbloomerz]

I have mine booked in with the consultant next wednesday, so im hoping my cervix is favourable too! Obviously would like her to arrive before then but least I know will be attempting something to get her out next week lol.

Heres some info I found on it from babycentre.co.uk....


Membrane sweeping is done by your midwife or doctor. While internally examining you, she will simply "sweep" a finger around your cervix (neck of your womb). The aim is to separate the membranes around your baby from your cervix. This releases hormones called prostaglandins, which may kick-start your labour.

A membrane sweep increases the likelihood that labour will start within 48 hours. It has a higher chance of working if your cervix is already softening and preparing for labour. It does not increase the risk of infection to either you or your baby.

A membrane sweep can be uncomfortable as the cervix is often difficult to reach before labour begins. Some women find the procedure painful so you may want to try out your breathing techniques to help your relax while it's being done. There may also be some slight "spotting" of blood and irregular contractions immediately afterwards.

 

[ricschick]

i had one with baby no 2 and immediately started having period like pains which continued but went into proper labour the following day. favourable is when they can reach the cervix and its has softened (i think) lol.....i had a sweep with baby no3 but i wasnt favourable and was told i still had atleast a week and my waters brooke that evening lol xx

 

[DueMarch2nd]

I have mine booked in with the consultant next wednesday, so im hoping my cervix is favourable too! Obviously would like her to arrive before then but least I know will be attempting something to get her out next week lol.

Heres some info I found on it from babycentre.co.uk....


Membrane sweeping is done by your midwife or doctor. While internally examining you, she will simply "sweep" a finger around your cervix (neck of your womb). The aim is to separate the membranes around your baby from your cervix. This releases hormones called prostaglandins, which may kick-start your labour.

A membrane sweep increases the likelihood that labour will start within 48 hours. It has a higher chance of working if your cervix is already softening and preparing for labour. It does not increase the risk of infection to either you or your baby.

A membrane sweep can be uncomfortable as the cervix is often difficult to reach before labour begins. Some women find the procedure painful so you may want to try out your breathing techniques to help your relax while it's being done. There may also be some slight "spotting" of blood and irregular contractions immediately afterwards.

Well next wednesday we will both be in the same position! Literally Good Luck with yours, I hope they work for us

 

[bigbloomerz]

Lol Legs akimbo! x

 

[xpinkpandax]

I had my sweep done at 39+5 went into labour early hours on my due date

My friend had a sweep earlier than me and started gettin pains that day but she didn't have LO until 3 or 4 days later, think it affects ppl in different ways x

 

[elainegee]

with my first child i had one at 39+5 and it worked straight away, contractions began almost 10 mins afterward. Before the sweep they said i was around 1cm and favorable x good luck x

 

[R8ch]

Hi
no statistics, but I can give you my experience. This happened last week:
Monday (41 weeks) had a sweep #1 at 2.30pm- I was 1cm and favourable (cervix nice and stretchy and low)
Wednesday (41 +2) evening -had irregular contractions (every 6-10 minutes) for several hours through the night that had stopped by morning.
Thursday (41 +3) sweep #2 at 11.30am - I was 3cm dilated and obviously favourable! Contractions began at 12 and were regular by 1pm

Went to the birthing centre at 4.30pm later that day and I was 7cm dilated. Harriet was born the early hours of Friday morning (took a little while to come out as she couldn't get into position - probably because she had her hand by her head!).

A sweep won't work until your body is ready and I truly believe if I had had a sweep any earlier it wouldn't have worked and would have been a waste of time. Incidentally, as I was really favourable the sweeps didn't hurt at all.

Hope that helps
Rx

 

[LoobyLou75]

I had a sweep at 40 weeks and despite being 2-3cm dilated, it didn't work.

2nd sweep I had at 41 weeks and midwife said before she did it I was 4-5cm dilated and I would give birth that night or the next day. After the sweep I went into labour 10 mins after! So not sure if the 2nd sweep worked or not.

 

[Jadey121]

I had a sweep with my first at +7 days i think! Midwife said i was 2cm and i was favourable but the sweep didnt work for me and i had to be induced!

 

[jessndoug]

i was swept with my son at 37+4 because i was already 3cm dialated and my midwife swept me at about 10 in the morning. went to the hospital a few hours later (didnt want to have him at home.but wasent feeling anything) and got there i was 5 and had him at 11:12pm

 

[Mandy_2009]

Hey - I had two sweeps - after the first one my plug came out then after the second one contractions soon followed xx

 

[Feltzy]

I had a sweep with my first at 40+1, I was booked in to be induced the next morning if it didn't work so I was preying it would as I really wanted to start naturally. I was already 2cm and started to get mild contractions straight away which continued through the night. My waters broke at 5.30am, two hours before my appointment to be induced, result!

 

[MrsP]

I had one at 39+4 and they said I was 3 cm and bugger all happened other than an hour of BH's, wish you luck x was induced 4 days later.

 

[MarieGx]

Oh i'm glad i came across this thread. Had my sweep at 40+1 weeks overdue had cramps and spotting after and got irregular contractions but they eased off, also had some brown-ish/slightly bloody discharge too. And today i've had more irregular contractions and a LOT more discharge i can describe it being brownish snotty/jelly like discharge so i'm hoping and praying that my sweep worked.

 

[bambikate]

i had 2 sweeps at 40+1 and 40+5 and went into labour 40+6 Good luck x x