In my earlier post, I shared how I was feeling mentally and physically at 38 weeks pregnant and the decision I made to get a membrane sweep. If you haven’t read that yet, definitely check it out! Now, I want to dive into what happened after the sweep and how long it took for me to go into labor, as well as my experience through it all.
Before my membrane sweep, I did quite a bit of research on what to expect, and I found that many women experience labor within 48 hours of having the procedure. I came across numerous TikTok videos where women said they went into labor as quickly as 6 hours after the sweep. While that sounded promising, I wasn’t sure I was quite ready to go into labor that soon. So, leading up to the sweep, I had been doing a lot of walking and stairs — at least 10 minutes every day starting in my 37th week. I’d read that staying active could help the process, but after the sweep, I decided to take it easy and rest for the day.
A Few Important Notes Before I Continue:
I’ve learned that after a membrane sweep, it’s important to stay active. Walking and doing exercises can really help with dilation. If you start feeling contractions, being dilated will make things a lot easier. If you aren’t dilated, you could find yourself struggling through labor, and it could delay the process. Once real contractions begin, you won’t have the same energy to be active, so it’s good to keep moving until that point.
My Labor Journey After the Membrane Sweep:
So, six hours after the membrane sweep, I started noticing some changes. I began losing my mucus plug, and I was still feeling the Braxton Hicks contractions I had been experiencing. The following morning, I woke up with something different — a real contraction. I could feel my belly hardening, and it was accompanied by a crampy, period-like pain. These contractions were consistently about 4-5 minutes apart. Although the pain wasn’t unbearable yet, I could tell things were moving in the right direction.
At this point, I didn’t feel like I needed to rush to the hospital. I hadn’t broken my water, and the contractions weren’t too intense yet. But by 5 p.m., the contractions became much stronger, and my husband and I decided it was time to go to the hospital.
Arriving at the Hospital:
When we got to the hospital, the doctors checked me and confirmed that I was 2 cm dilated. They said I could walk around a bit to help things progress and that I wouldn’t be admitted unless I reached 4 cm. So, I took their advice and went on a walk for about an hour. I walked up and down the stairs, paced the hallways, and just tried to stay active. When I returned, the doctor checked me again, and I was at 3 cm dilated. The pain, however, was atroce (extremely painful). I had been walking through contractions, but as they became stronger, I knew things were getting real.
The Evening Before My Labor Intensified:
After we left the hospital around 10 p.m., I went back home, but I couldn’t sleep. By 1-2 a.m., the pain was much worse. I was uncomfortable sitting, walking, and standing — there was no position that felt better. Fortunately, the contractions weren’t constant; they were about every 2-3 minutes, which gave me short breaks in between to breathe and try to relax. Still, the pain was intense, and I knew I couldn’t endure much longer.
Back to the Hospital:
By 4 a.m., I couldn’t take it any longer, so we made our way back to the hospital. At this point, I was already at 8 cm dilated, and I was in immense pain. I requested the epidural because I knew I needed something to manage the pain. The relief came at 6 a.m. when they administered the epidural. By 8 a.m., I was fully dilated at 10 cm, and it was time to push.
Delivering My Baby:
The reason my labor took a bit longer than expected was that my contractions were spaced too far apart initially. The doctors had to help bring them closer together to move things along. Once they did, everything started progressing quickly. At 10 a.m., after a relatively smooth delivery, I gave birth to my baby, and it was a beautiful experience — no complications, just a healthy, happy little one in my arms.
Looking back, it’s hard to believe how quickly things escalated after the membrane sweep. While I didn’t go into labor immediately, the process started soon after, and it was such an amazing, powerful experience. Even though the pain was intense at times, I felt so proud of my body and the journey it had taken me on.
I’m so grateful that everything went smoothly, and I’m overjoyed that I have my little one now. If you’re going through this process yourself, remember that every birth experience is different. Some people will have quick labors, while others take their time — just listen to your body, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider if you have concerns.
Thanks for following along with my journey, and stay tuned for more updates as I begin this next chapter of motherhood!