What is the reason....sweeps???

Question

I read the other day about a woman who had a membrane sweep at 36+5. I don't want anyone to answer that babies are considered term at 37 weeks. That may be, but they are not considered DUE until your due date, and because that is an estimate, not considered OVERDUE until 42 weeks plus. A membrane sweep is a last resort before artificial induction so why is it offered so early in some places? Where I live you'd never be able to get one before 41 weeks. I refused one at 41+1 with my child because it was way too early to force her out if she wasn't ready to come!!

Anyone know why they are offered so early in pregnancy in some places?

there was no underlying medical condition...according to her she told her doctor she was 'done being pregnant' and then in the next few sentences two other women joined in saying they'd been for sweeps at 37 and 38 weeks respectively.

Answer 1

Unfortunately the new fashion statement among "ignorant pregnant women" is that you can make your own due dates, and just have the babies when you damned well please. Doctors don't help either... I have yet to understand why any mother to be would want to bring their child into the world before their due date. Babies are meant to come out 41 weeks if permissible. Let them develop properly! I want to see my child as well but not at the expense of his health...

Answer 2

I can not attest to why they do sweeps so early except that even after the sweep, it still takes awhile for dialation to progress. I can tell you though, that at 41+1, the doctor had good reason to try to get your labor in motion... at 42 weeks, a placenta can not be counted on to deliver enough oxygen and blood to the baby due to the placenta function beginning to deplete after a baby reaches full term. If you get pregnant again, try not to think "the baby will come when it wants to", sometimes, labor needs a little prompting in the best interest of the child. btw, 95% of OB's consider 40 weeksfull term, and because of the use of sonograms, then can get a pretty good idea of gestational age. The 37-42 week full term window is more specified after the sonograms... they can pinpoint to the week.
The doctors in some places may feel it is good to offer it early to make sure that women do not go overdue which could harm the fetus. Maybe they have had lawsuits or the company has had lawsuits in the past that have been a result from overdue deliveries. Just a theory.

Answer 3

I had a sweep when I was 41 weeks and it didn't do anything anyway. They induce labour at 42 weeks because the placenta is not as efficient at feeding the baby after this.I read somewhere that they perform sweeps because it can naturally speed things up. Where as if you wait to be induced there is a greater chance of c-sections, forceps and vacuum delivery.

However I cannot understand why people choose to have this procedure done any earlier than 40 weeks unless it is for medical reasons. I would consider 36 weeks as premature.

Answer 4

There was a reason that the baby needed to be delivered at that time. The uterus had become a inhospitable environment for the baby to continue growing in, and was better off being born instead of continuing gestation. Stripping the membranes (when a doctor strokes a device across the amniotic sac) can cause the release of hormones that will bring on labor without the need to give pitocin intravenously, which can sometimes bring on a hard labor that may be too strenuous for the baby.

Answer 5

A sweep is done so that you produce the natural hormone for you to go into labor naturally,If you are not ready their will be no reaction from the sweep..

Answer 6

Maybe there was some medical reason that wasn't mentioned. my daughter had to be brought on early because i have a back problem.

Answer 7

Yeah there must have been a reason for it. She may have had complications or helath problems etc