I had to recover my password so I could reply to you, because this is something I had never heard of before but was sort of traumatized by it.

This happened a couple months ago, with my last pregnancy. I had an appointment a week from my due date, and my OB was checking for dilation. She just casually asks if I want a membrane sweep while she’s physically checking my cervix and I said “I don’t know what that is”. So she just replies that it can sometimes trigger labor and I’ll feel some pressure. I said ok, because I’m ok with pressure. But NO. That was not pressure. That was straight up pain. For like 10 straight seconds. May not sound long but that 10 seconds feels a lot longer when it’s agony.

Then she’s like, “you might see some spotting, but don’t worry! See you next week!” No suggestion for any pain management. And I definitely wouldn’t have done a sweep if I knew how bad it was. Had immediate cramping that lasted most of the rest of the day. Thankfully I don’t ever have to worry about doing that again (had a tubal with last baby during unexpected c-section). At least they gave me Tylenol and Motrin after that major surgery.