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Childbirth

Will anyone admit to an at attempt, or at least thinking about, performing their own DIY membrane sweep?

29 replies

RightUpMyRue · 01/04/2013 21:59

It's basically a finger in the cervix, isn't it? A small step beyond deep penetration?

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Cavort · 01/04/2013 22:08

Not only will I not be attempting it myself, but I will be refusing any offer of one from anyone else. I've heard too many stories of agony!

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RightUpMyRue · 01/04/2013 22:14

How far along are you Cavort?

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OpheliasWeepingWillow · 01/04/2013 22:17

Pain

That's all

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TheDetective · 01/04/2013 22:30

Couldn't reach my own cervix.

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Flisspaps · 01/04/2013 22:59

I did.

Had to get in some odd positions.

Waste of fucking time and effort Grin

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RightUpMyRue · 02/04/2013 10:14

Well at least I'm not alone in considering it, feel slightly less mad than last night. There's two more of you who are brave enough to give it a try.

Another day bouncing on this jeffing ball with no results is not appealing.

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Jojobump1986 · 02/04/2013 10:27

I'd be a bit worried about breaking my own waters if I was already a bit dilated. No idea if that fear has any basis though! Confused

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ValarMorGoolis · 02/04/2013 10:34

I did. Didn't work.

DH had to have the sex with me to get me started. Worked within 30 kind both times. Might be coincidence might not.

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RightUpMyRue · 02/04/2013 10:52

I'd like my waters to break, should get things going. 40 weeks tomorrow. Ready for the baby now.

DP is at work so no bonking going to happen unless I pay him a visit at his office. I'd have to take DD with me which might kill the mood even further.

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justabigdisco · 02/04/2013 10:57

It's not just a finger in the cervix though, and unless you're in labour the cervix is likely to be too high to reach.

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mayhew · 02/04/2013 11:08

If your cervical opening is low enough to reach with your own finger?..labour is imminent. The fingertip needs to go right inside the opening and then then travels a circle about 1cm inside. Unless you have arms like an orangutan.

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ohmentalnessisme · 02/04/2013 14:13

I tried a few times when I was overdue but couldn't reach.

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jumpinghoops · 02/04/2013 16:51

I was thinking about this in the shower this morning Grin as it is I'm due a 'monster sweep' (her words) from midwife next week. I had 3 last time (final one worked) so should probably not bother this time around but I really didn't find them too bad. Painful yes, but nothing compared to labour!

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Coconutty · 02/04/2013 16:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HappyJoyful · 02/04/2013 16:54

I contemplated it - thought how difficult can it be?! Mentioned to a friend and she explained that it wasn't a good plan and actually was far more complicated (still not sure why?!) then it sounded.

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MadameJosephine · 02/04/2013 17:11

I'm a midwife so I admit I did have a go but it was impossible to reach so I had to get one of my mates to do it for me! She did 3 over about a week and I went into labour after the 3rd but it was probably a coincidence, I don't think they work unless you're overdue

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TheDetective · 02/04/2013 18:01

Same here Madame. I had 6 bloody sweeps over 12 days. They did nothing. I still made it to 20 days past EDD, and had an ARM to get me contracting enough to change my very fucking posterior cervix!

I also have short fingers. Not good!

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Coconutty · 02/04/2013 18:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BadDayAtTheOrifice · 03/04/2013 15:43

I did it. It worked. I have arms lie an orangutan.

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NAR4 · 03/04/2013 18:46

A friend of mine got her DH to do it. I gave this a miss as it sounded so horribly unsexy I thought it would play on my mind during all future foreplay. Silly to be bothered maybe, but I just stuck with my midwife doing mine.

I had 3 sweeps over 10 days and even though at the last one the midwife said my cervix were high and posterior and I was only about 1-2cm dilated, I went into labour (first time not to be induced) later that day. Definately worth having them done, just in case it helps get things going.

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Notmyidea · 03/04/2013 18:49

I had a bit of a prod up there with dd2, because by "my" dates she was over (and I knew my dates were right!) and the midwife wasn't going to help yet. Was reassuring to find a nice, low, squishy cervix and that the braxton-hicks contractions that had been waking me up were having an effect, but it took castor oil to get going.

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RightUpMyRue · 03/04/2013 19:51

Did the castor oil give you the runs though Notmyidea?

I have some castor oil left in the cupboard after trying the oil cleansing method and not getting on with it.

I've got an appt at the birh centre tomorrow. If the MW won't have a furkle up there then I think between DP and I we'll have a go.

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Notmyidea · 03/04/2013 20:01

personally, no, although it can.

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FatimaLovesBread · 03/04/2013 20:04

I tried but could only just reach my cervix and feel te opening. I couldn't reach any further than that and it took some awkward positioning to get that far

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cathpip · 03/04/2013 20:07

A friend recommended sex when I went overdue, or if hubby refused maybe the use of a friend dildomight work, it did Blush

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