Membrane Sweep: A Labour Induction You Should Know

Labour typically begins between 38 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. In this period, you may hear terms like cervical sweep, membrane sweep, membrane stripping, or stretch and sweep for the first time. Your provider may offer a membrane sweep to help bring on labour. This article covers what a membrane sweep is, how it works, and what to expect before and after.

What is Membrane Sweep?

A membrane sweep (also called membrane stripping, stripping of the membranes and cervical sweep) is similar to an internal exam. When implementing a stretch and sweep, the healthcare provider puts a gloved finger into your vagina and sweeps the cervix. This action will separate the amniotic sac from the wall of the uterus and lead to release of prostaglandins to help ripen your cervix and get contractions going.

Membrane sweep will usually happen when mothers are near or over their due date. Although cervical sweep is safe and common, it is unsure to jumpstart labour or contractions. This operation is only carried out if the cervix has started to dilate. And this method is considered as the first selection to begin natural labour before using other labour induction.

When Will We Need Membrane Sweeping?

Obstetricians may recommend cervical sweep if your due date is near or over. Children born at 9 months, which corresponds to about 39 to 41 weeks, will have a low risk of complications. Therefore, if the due date is more than 41 or 42 weeks, it puts mothers and babies at risk of fatal problems¹.

And membrane stripping will be used in another case such as: the contractions have not happened; however, the cervix is already opened partially. Membrane sweeps are not performed on mothers who are not doing well and should have a C-section.

Process Of Membrane Sweeping

A membrane sweep is not sure to induce labor. This is the natural way to kick start labour and decline medical or surgical induction. Membrane sweeps could be effective in case:

• The cervix are already soft, thin and dilated
• In 39 – 40 pregnancy week or more
• In the early stage of labour

During Membrane Sweep

A membrane sweep is one of the natural labor induction methods. The doctor or midwife usually checks the membrane in prenatal appointments and usually sweeps it in 39 or 40 pregnancy weeks.

Firstly, pregnant women have to take off their clothes from their waist down. They will lie on their back on a gynaecological examination table like a pelvic exam. Pregnant care providers will cover a sheet over mother’s legs and put mother’s feet in stirrups.

Secondly, the doctor or midwife will check the mother’s cervix. If a woman’s cervix is hard and closed, a membrane stripping usually is unfavorable and even impossible. In this situation, the care provider probably massages the cervix instead.

In contrast, if the cervix is favourable (dilated at least 1 to 2 centimeters) for a healthcare provider to perform a membrane sweep, the care provider will gently place their gloved finger into the vagina and sweep around the neck of the cervix in a circular motion. This action could take a few minutes to sweep the membranes and cause little pain. Some mothers feel it is like a tough pelvic exam.

This aim is to separate the membranes of the amniotic sac from the walls of the uterus without breaking the sac. And this action will activate your body to release prostaglandins.

During stripping of the membranes, the water may break (membrane ruptures). Mothers do not worry much because that is the reason why doctors only implement this procedure in full-term, healthy pregnancies with a negative Group B strep test.

After Membrane Sweep

After stripping the membrane, mothers will put on the clothes and go home. Moreover, mothers may undergo some side effects:

• Cramping
• Contractions that are uneven or difficult to track.
• Discomfort
• Slight bleeding or spotting at vagina.

If the vaginal bleeding becomes serious or suffers extreme pain, mothers should find doctors right away.

Pros And Cons Of Membrane Sweep

Generally, membrane sweep is a safe approach when mothers hit 39 to 40 weeks and the way to help naturally when mothers deliver post-term (41 or 42 weeks). However, it does not mean after membrane sweep, mothers will not experience complications compared with those who have C-section.

Benefits Of Membrane Sweep

The biggest benefit of membrane stripping is to help you to labour naturally, avoid medical or surgical induction and a relatively low-risk method. However, study shows there is no guarantee that pregnant women will go into labour after membrane sweep.

In addition, even if the membrane sweep fails, it probably still leads to labor coming sooner than without the membrane sweep. Sometimes, the slight stimulation that happens to the mother’s cervix during a membrane stripping is enough to make the mother’s body release prostaglandins and start labor in a few days.

Risks Of Membrane Sweep

Membrane sweep is generally safe and does not increase maternal or fetal risk. However, discomfort is common. In research, 31% of participants found the procedure painless, 51% found it somewhat painful, and 17% described it as painful or very painful. Even so, 88% of those who experienced pain said they would choose it again. Light bleeding and cramping that can be mistaken for contractions are also normal. You have the right to decline a membrane sweep at any time.²

During the procedure, your water can break. This is medically acceptable at full term, though it can catch you off guard. One study found a 9% chance of the membranes rupturing from the sweep itself, compared to 0% in a control group without the procedure.

However, if mothers reach to 41 or 42 pregnancy weeks, maternal and fetal complications tend to increase³, they could suffer such as:

• Chorioamnionitis (amniotic fluid infection)
• Endomyometritis (uterine infection)
• Low Apgar scores
• Macrosomia (large fetal size)
• Meconium aspiration (when a fetus breathes in its first bowel movement in the womb)
• Neonatal acidaemia (when excess acid builds up in a baby’s blood)
• Neonatal death
• Postpartum hemorrhage
• Severe perineal injury

How Long Will Pregnant Women Labor After A Membrane Sweep?

After a membrane sweep, wear a sanitary pad and go home to rest. Around 50% of women go into labor within seven days of a sweep, though some start within 48 hours. If labor has not started after 48 hours, your provider will usually schedule a follow-up or discuss induction options. Watch for signs of labour so you know when things are progressing.

Some Words From Babies Parent

Membrane sweeping is an effective and relatively safe option for starting labor naturally from 39 weeks onwards. Some discomfort is common, but most women find it manageable and worth it for the chance to avoid a formal medical induction. Contact your doctor right away if cramping or bleeding becomes heavy. Talk with your provider about whether a membrane sweep fits your birth plan.