You may experience some slight spotting of blood, cramps or irregular contractions immediately afterwards. If you've been practising breathing techniques ready for labour, you may find they help you to relax while your midwife is carrying out the sweep. If your waters have broken but labour hasn't started, membrane sweeps are not recommended as, in these circumstances, they can increase your risk of infection.Ī membrane sweep can be uncomfortable, as the cervix is often difficult to reach before your labour begins. Rest assured that a membrane sweep won't increase the risk of infection for you or your baby, as long as your waters haven’t broken. It has a higher chance of working if your cervix is already softening and preparing for labour. If your cervix then starts to soften and open, your midwife may be able to do a proper sweep at your next appointment.Ī membrane sweep increases the likelihood that labour will start naturally within 48 hours. This stimulation may be enough to start the ripening of your cervix. It is important to note that membrane sweeping is completely voluntary and may not be the right choice for every expectant mother.The procedure may also be called a stretch and sweep, because if a sweep isn't possible, your midwife may still try to stretch or massage your cervix.

If you have had a previous caesarean and planning a VBAC, sweeps can be offered from 37 weeks.

If pregnant with subsequent babies, offer sweep at 41 week visit.

All women pregnant with first baby should be offered a sweep at 40 & 41 weeks.

There are a number of NICE recommendations currently in place for a membrane sweep. If your cervix is difficult to reach or completely closed, they may be unable to perform the sweep.Ĭurrent NICE Recommendations For A Membrane Sweep However, a membrane sweep can only be carried out if the cervix is dilated (at least one centimetre) or softened to admit a finger tip. The Cochrane review showed no significant risks such as infection or membrane rupture, and researchers on a study published by the Journal of Clinical Gynaecology and Obstetrics (JCGO)did not find any increased risk or negative side effects in women undertaking membrane sweeps. If you are at all concerned about the bleeding, then be sure to call your hospital. You may experience a ‘show’ of mucous discharge which may contain some blood and some slight discomfort afterwards. There are very few side effects of a membrane sweep. The same study showed a 14% reduction in the need for formal induction of labour in women who had sweeps. Having 2 or 3 membrane sweeps 48 hours apart is most successful in encouraging labour to start. If the membrane sweep is successful labour begins within 48 hours. A Cochrane review in 2004 showed a sweep at 41 weeks decreases your chances of going to 42 weeks from 41% to 23%, almost half! The sweep encourages release of prostaglandin, which is involved in starting labour. The procedure is completely drug-free and similar to an internal examination, meaning the process itself doesn’t take long. Some of the main benefits of a membrane sweep include:

But bear with it, if it works it’s worth it!Īfter the sweep, you can go home and wait for labour to start! The Benefits Of A Membrane SweepĪ membrane sweep can be highly beneficial for those who are nearing or past their due date but do not want an induced labour. The process doesn’t hurt, but it can often be quite uncomfortable. The examiner inserts a finger through the vagina into the cervix to separate the membranes of the amniotic sac surrounding your baby from the wall of the womb with a circular, sweeping movement and stretches the cervix at the same time. Your midwife will check baby position and heartbeatĢ. The process of a membrane sweep is simple:ġ. It is performed at home or in the antenatal clinic and takes about 10 minutes. We can reduce the likelihood of needing induction by having a membrane stretch and sweep.Ī membrane sweep, also known as a cervical sweep or membrane strip, is not a method of induction, but can help to encourage natural, spontaneous labour. While an induced labour is fairly common, with 1 in 5 labours in the UK being induced, many women want more information about how they can avoid having an induction of labour for being overdue.

As the weeks go on, you may find health professionals bringing up the topic of induction of labour. It’s important to remember that only 5% of women will give birth on their due date and not to fixate to greatly on this date. It’s natural to feel impatient in the final weeks of pregnancy, feeling frustrated to wake up each day to find you’re still pregnant.

Membrane sweep at 39 weeks success rate