Why are women getting a membrane sweep?

Question

I feel like every one on this app is getting their membrane sweep!!
Why is this so common or even needed? Mostly I see it happening at 37/38 weeks.
FTM so just curious about all of this and why before your full term? At 39-40 weeks.
Thanks 😊

Answer

You do not have to get one. You may or may not get offered one. 
It’s an option if you want the try and possibly just start labor.
For me personally it did not work and I thought it hurt and it did not start labor for me.

Answer

Mine doesn't do it until 39 weeks unless they're about to induce you for medical reasons anyway, then they'll give it one last shot to try to deliver naturally.

Answer

It was offered to me so I tried it. When you are that pregnant and that miserable I’ll try anything safe! It took to membrane sweeps, but after the second one put me in labor about 7 hours later!

Answer

My last baby was very big so they did one at 40 weeks, didn't help at all took another 10 days.

Answer

It was offered for me and i was on a timeline before i was going to make a choice to have a repeat csection or not and for me that wasnt an option. I got told that i could start induction methods at home at 37 weeks and was offered sweeps starting at 38 weeks. I had one done at 38+2 and it didnt work. If you also listen to the Evidence Based Birth podcast there was a study done that showed membrane sweeps decreased your length of pregnancy by 4 days

Answer

I had 3 done with my first to try to get labor going without being induced.  I had preeclampsia though.  My next two were preemies and with this one, even if I make it to term, I’ll opt not to have it done.

Answer

I never had a sweep done and I had two kids

Answer

It definitely isn't needed and you don't have to get one. Sometimes though it might help to get one to try and get things going naturally if you're about to be induced.

Answer

It was an option given to me. And I refuse to go past due date so I was fine with whatever. Thank goodness I had a c section instead

Answer

Thanks for all the insight!
Every country is different as you'd expect!
Here in Europe its not an option until at least 41 weeks because anything before 40 weeks isn't offered unless your medically unwell or unsafe in your pregnancy.
If medical attention is needed before 40 weeks that's a different situation but just asking to be induced because your wanting your pregnancy to go faster isn't a conversation that can be had

Why are women getting a membrane sweep?

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