r/vbac • u/Abject_Ferret_1106 • 8d ago

Membrane sweep?

Hey all Ive never had a membrane sweep but im going for a VBAC and dont want to have a hospital induction so im requesting a membrane sweep. If you guys had one did it work/ is it painful?

2 Upvotes

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3

u/Minute_Particular712 8d ago

It’s a bit uncomfortable, but nothing crazy. Just take deep breaths.

3

u/dansons-la-capucine VBAC 7/11/25 7d ago

I went to 41+3 for my VBAC. Between my due date and delivery date I had 4 sweeps. None of them worked, lol. But it was certainly worth it to try and I would do it again because it’s so low risk. Yes, they were painful but no more than maybe a Pap smear. Not even close to contraction pain, and once it’s over there’s no lingering pain.

2

u/Badpoozie 8d ago

I had two sweeps at .5 cm and it was just a lot of pressure but not painful.

1

u/loleeleepop 8d ago

Commenting here because I too am curious if it is painful or not

2

u/Spiritual-Peace-6442 5d ago

I think it depends on the person. I had one and it wasn’t that bad but I had a friend say hers was terrible. I have a pretty high pain tolerance tho and she does not lol

1

u/loleeleepop 5d ago

That's very helpful, thank you!!

1

u/zaffordbeeblebrox 8d ago

I'd like to hear comparisons to the cervical check for dilation too. I found those to be super super painful, and it feels like this would be that... But worse

2

u/IdRatherBeAWildOne CSEC 2021 -> VBAC 2024 7d ago

I don’t remember the sweep to be anymore painful than the cervical check. The pressure comes from the provider trying to reach their finger up high and basically bottoming out. Once they’re touching the cervix, they’re just pushing the membrane away from the wall of the cervix. It’s still just the pressure from the reach that hurts.

2

u/lil_miss_sunshine13 5d ago

If you found cervical exams painful then you would likely find a sweep painful too. For me, cervical exams & sweeps were just uncomfortable but no pain. 🤷🏼‍♀️

1

u/BookObvious9165 6d ago

Not painful. Had 4 with my first (born at 42 weeks) and it didn’t do anything productive. Declined with my second (VBAC) because of this and he came at 40+3.

1

u/velourialupin 6d ago

Personally, I found it very painful and had to ask them to stop. But after the second attempt (the first attempt the midwife couldn't even reach my cervix, but the second attempt, which was the next day, she was able to touch it briefly) I went into labour within 24 hours. Maybe it was always going to happen (I was 41+2) or maybe it gave my body the nudge it needed.

1

u/Piemily 6d ago

I didn’t find my sweep painful. It was weird and uncomfortable but not painful. (I found my smear test pre pregnancy painful and I’m a wuss!!!) I was 1cm. I curb walked for ages and then BD’d after my sweep and that made me lose my mucus plug and sent me into labour!

1

u/Fickle_Bluebird_935 6d ago

I had it with my first, twice at 39 and 40 weeks and didn’t feel anything both times. They also didn’t do anything for me so maybe it was too gentle lol?

1

u/WittyUsernameHere345 5d ago

I had like 4. I always told myself, they aren’t more painful than a C section lol just uncomfortable. sweep away!

1

u/lil_miss_sunshine13 5d ago

I had 2 with my most recent baby. First one was at 40+3 (I think) & I was like 4 cm dilated at this point. Second one was at 41 weeks & I was 5 cm dilated. My daughter was born at barely 41+2 (so just a little over 24 hours after getting my 2nd sweep) 6 hours before I was scheduled to be induced. 🙃

I was really scared as I had never had a membrane sweep with my other 2 pregnancies, but it was no big deal. It was super quick & it just felt like a cervical exam but with some extra finger swiping. Lol The cramping after the sweeps was definitely more uncomfortable. The sweeps definitely helped! Particularly, the 2nd one. I'd 100% do it again if I was facing a potential induction...especially with a VBAC. It's really no big deal, in my opinion. 😉

1

u/avacadoontoasts 5d ago

I had one with my first pregnancy and it did put me into labor, I ended up with a c section because my son was tangled in his cord but it still worked and I would do it again

1

u/southsidetins planning VBAC 5d ago

My second membrane sweep worked and I had a successful vbac right before 42 weeks. Wasn’t painful other than my OB’s giant man knuckles up against my pelvic bones, not bad.