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Asking to have my membranes sweeped
- Sep 16, 2009 at 5:25 PM
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- Comments (8) Total Views (231) Everyone can see this journal post.
Hi everyone, I am just looking to get opinions on whether or not I should ask my ob to strip my membranes at my next prenatal appointment. I will be a little over 37 weeks. With my last baby, they mentioned doing this because both of my 2 oldest kids were overdue. I never even heard of this before, but they did it and wow, it was amazintg. That night mild contractions started, and the next morning I was in full blown labor. It was great because I have never went into labor on my own before. As I mentioned earlier, the first 2 were overdue and had to be induced which was rough. Anyway, I delivered not even 24 hours after my membranes were swept with the last one, so I would like to just go in and ask for it this time around. Can anyone give me their opinion or their experience with having their membranes swept? I would really appreciate any thoughts whether negative or positive. Thanks ladies.
Comments:
Babies come in their own time. why would you rush them out? i know are probably tired of being pregnant at this point. but honey, be patient. your babies will come. 40 weeks is actually a GUESSTIMATE not an absolute. let YOUR baby choose her birthday. not a Dr unnaturally stripping your membranes.
I am in a OB rotation right now at school and personally I wouldn't do it. The more pregnancies you have the faster labor progresses so, just because it took a long time to go into labor before doesn't mean it will again. A baby isn't considered term anyway until it is a full 37weeks (which is actually 38 weeks). My BFF was 41 weeks with all of her deliveries.Keep in mind a delivery date is only an estimation and is not exact. Sweeping the membranes can also introduce bacteria. Just remember to follow your heart. I believe that birthing a baby is a very spiritual time. You should definitely research both sides before you make your decision. Then just follow your heart and I'm sure you will make the right decision no matter what it is. Good luck and God bless
I really, really appreciate the opinion of all of you guys. I guess this mainly stems from being uncomfortable but also because I lost my last baby in the 2nd trimester and I feel like until this one is actually in my arms I will not feel like he is okay. I know I have to just relax, it's just hard. I think that I am going to just keep weighing the pros and cons, and hopefully while I take the time to think, he will just come on his own. Thanks ladies.
Sweeping membranes doesn't do much besides cause infection. And it hurts! Really bad! My dr. did that to me and ripped my amniotic sac (tiny tear). I didn't go into labor, and since he didn't tell me he did it and I was a new mommy, I went 2 weeks with amniotic fluid leaking and a rip in the sac that could have infected my fetus. If it would have been a larger tear, it would have been an auto induction or c-section WAY too early for my baby... and she would have ended up in NICU.
Instead I was induced and the process trapped my baby in the birth canal for 2 hours, she was near brain damage and death. They had to cut a HUGE episiotomy and my OB literally reached into my birth canal up to the elbows and pulled her out.
I would NEVER get induced again... especially when there is no reason to other than convinience... Too much to lose. The health of my baby? Wouldn't take that chance.
Mine were done two of three times. And in all honesty, I had it done being my labor wasn't progressing. But I never would think to do it before labor.
The baby will let you know when it is time. Yes, I had ended up with having C-Sections with all three. But I went in to labor on my own.
Plus, with my first, I was nine days late. It got unbearable. But I'm glad I waited. Having those membranes stripped is NOT a fun or "feel good" thing to do.
I really am glad that I posted this and got the opinion from you wonderful ladies, because I decided to just let nature take it's course and yesterday at my prenatal appointment, the doc told me that I am 2 centimeters dilated and I should get my bags ready just in case because this is my 5th delivery and it could go fast!!
Thank you so much!!
Congrats and good luck!
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You can ask, if the doctor does it or not is another question. If the baby is down well into the birth canal and your close to your due date they usually do it. I don't think it hurts the baby and does help move labor to progress. Good luck!
- MSugarKane
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