Can you tell that I'm ready to give birth?
I'm 38w3d and at my midwife appointment today one was offered to me as I am experiencing considerable pain and discomfort. I declined but will think about it if I make it to my next appointment. My friend had one done and gave birth the same night.
Just wondering how it affected others. Thoughts?
coconut / 8305 posts
Nope... there are risks involved (arom that leads to malpresentation or cord prolapse being one) just like any other intervention so with P went didn't do one (she was still pretty high until well into labor) & my new MW doesn't do them unless there are other unavoidable interventions on the forefront (like transferring care for being 42+ weeks).
pomegranate / 3759 posts
I had it done twice. Once around my due date and the second one about a week after that. I went into labour the day after the second one. Not sure if it was related. Just a heads up...it effin hurts!
coconut / 8483 posts
No experience, but my friend has had one with each of her three and she didn't go into labour. BUT she thinks it helped make her inductions go very smoothly. She had one done last Tues (was due Friday) so hopefully when she is induced this Friday it has at least progressed her along a bit!
coconut / 8475 posts
I did it twice. Once at 38w4d and another at 39w4d. It didn't start up my labor, because I didn't go until 40w3d, BUT my labor was really fast and I was like just approaching 6cm dilated and 90% effaced when I arrived at the hospital and my contractions were not even bad yet,at all.
GOLD / watermelon / 14076 posts
I had one done at 38w. I was already 2cm, 80% effaced when my OB did it. I went into labor that afternoon.
GOLD / wonderful pea / 17697 posts
Heh my midwife called it "stirring the pot".
I had it done at 39w and went into labor on 39w4d.
nectarine / 2217 posts
my friend with 3 swears by it! 
i'm too much of a chicken to get it done... even seeing as i'm overdue. lol.... but if i were super uncomfortable/in pain and wanting the baby out asap i would definitely consider!
pomegranate / 3895 posts
I had two and I ended up being induced at 42 weeks. Having said that, when I had them (at 41 weeks and again at 41+5) my cervix was not favourable.
pomegranate / 3768 posts
is that the same as the membrane sweep? if so, then yes, i had it done and went into labor the same night!
grapefruit / 4554 posts
I had two membrane sweeps and both didn't do anything for me- I ended up 3 days late.
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts
I have no idea if my ob did it. He may have? Man, I was hurting so bad towards the end... could barely get out of bed and walk!
cantaloupe / 6397 posts
My midwife didn't offer one until I was overdue! I had one at 41 weeks, and then a second one on the day I went into labor, at 41+4. Not sure if that sent me into labor, as I was 41+4... lol, it could've been coincidence!
ETA: Prepare yourself that it f-ing hurts. Ouch.
grapefruit / 4731 posts
My doc did it to me on my due date appointment... I didn't know what was going on till I read about it later on. I gave birth a few days later... not sure if it helped or not
honeydew / 7687 posts
I did it didn't hurt and I didn't go into labor until a weeks later.
cherry / 157 posts
I had one at 38w and it was uncomfortable. It gave me cramps and light spotting for 2 or 3 days. But nothing else happened.
I had one the next week at 39w and went into labour that night. My OB/GYN did the 39w one (a nurse did the first) and he has much larger hands... it hurt! I'll never know whether or not it helped, but I think it did.
pomelo / 5820 posts
Had one done at 38 +5. Bled a lot afterwards, went into labor the next day.
hostess / papaya / 10219 posts
I had it done twice. The first time at 39 1/2 weeks, but he didn't mess around too much down there, and it did nothing. I was no further dilated or effaced at my 40+3 appointment. He was a bit more vigorous the 2nd time and I went into labor a few hours after that. Neither hurt particularly badly for me. Nothing more than a pap really. The 2nd was slightly more uncomfortable.
ETA: I don't think it affected my actual labor other than kick starting it. I was in early labor for about 5 hours- very mild. And what I'd consider active labor for 11 hours including 9 hours at the hospital and 40 minutes of pushing. I got to the hospital at 3 1/2 cm dilated.
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
I had two sweeps. it hurt BAD. and it made me cramp and bleed big time. It gave me contractions and I thought i was going to go into labor, but i did not. I was told that if it's going to work, it will within 24 hours...or is it 48 hours?...crap. anyways, i was still induced but everything was squishy and favorable down there anyways
pear / 1799 posts
We probably wouldn't ... We're aiming for a homebirth, and there are 'rules' about the length of time your water can be broken before needing to transfer. Knowing it can cause the water to break (before contractions start) is enough to dissuade me.
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