Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPurposeBenefitsThe ProcedureSafetyFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Purpose
Benefits
The Procedure
Safety
Frequently Asked Questions
Membrane sweeping, also known as membrane stripping, is a procedure that can helpinduce labor. Membrane sweeping is sometimes recommended for pregnant people who are close to or past their due date.
During the procedure, your healthcare provider inserts a gloved finger into thecervixto loosen the amniotic sac from theuterus. Membrane sweeping can be done in your provider’s office and may speed up labor.
This article will describe the procedure of membrane sweeping, what to expect, and who should avoid it.
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How to Induce Labor at Home
Purpose of Membrane Sweeping
The purpose of membrane sweeping is to induce labor naturally in people who are at, near, or past their due date. Membrane sweeping can be used once the cervix has started to dilate but contractions have not yet begun.
Membrane sweeping is considered a low-risk procedure for most pregnant people. It is helpful because once pregnancy goes beyond 41–42 weeks, the risks to both the pregnant person and the fetus go up.
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Risk of Prolonged Pregnancy to Babies
Risks of Prolonged Pregnancy to Pregnant People
The possible risks of prolonged pregnancy include:
Benefits of Membrane Sweeping
The potential benefits of membrane sweeping include inducing labor naturally and avoiding medical induction.
Is the Procedure Effective?Membrane sweeping is an effective way to naturally induce labor. A study found that the time to delivery in people who had their membranes swept was 2.5 days shorter than those who did not undergo the procedure. Membrane sweeping has been linked to a decreased need for formal induction as well.
Is the Procedure Effective?
Membrane sweeping is an effective way to naturally induce labor. A study found that the time to delivery in people who had their membranes swept was 2.5 days shorter than those who did not undergo the procedure. Membrane sweeping has been linked to a decreased need for formal induction as well.
Membrane sweeping will begin much like apelvic exam. During an appointment, your healthcare provider will explain how membrane sweeping works and what to expect. You will be given a sheet to cover yourself once you undress from the waist down and rest back on the exam table. Your healthcare provider will then check your cervix to confirm that it is sufficiently dilated. The cervix is the opening to the uterus, and this procedure cannot be performed if the cervix is still closed.
Membrane sweeping is usually described as uncomfortable and even painful. The procedure is relatively quick, though. After your appointment, you may experience uterine cramping and spotting. If you notice bright-red bleeding that soaks a menstrual pad after the procedure, seek emergency care right away. If membrane sweeping was successful in inducing labor, you will likely begin feeling contractions within the first three days after your appointment.
How Safe Is Membrane Sweeping?
Membrane sweeping can be performed once or sometimes weekly at the end of a pregnancy. Research shows that 88% of individuals who have undergone membrane sweeping in the past would have it again in a future pregnancy.
Who Should Not Have a Membrane Sweep?
Membrane sweeping is safe for many people toward the end of their pregnancies. However, not everyone should undergo this procedure. People who should not have their membranes swept include those who:
Summary
Membrane sweeping, also known as membrane stripping, is a procedure that can help induce labor in pregnant people who are close to or past their due date. The procedure involves your healthcare provider inserting a gloved finger into the cervix to loosen the amniotic sac from theuterus.
A Word From Verywell
Frequently Asked QuestionsMembrane sweeping can be performed at 39 weeks for many people with uncomplicated pregnancies. Talk with your healthcare provider and ask if this is an option for you.The goal of membrane sweeping is to induce labor. After the procedure, it’s normal to experience cramping and spotting. If membrane sweeping successfully induces labor, you can expect to start feeling contractions up to three days after your appointment.Membrane sweeping is an uncomfortable procedure that can lead to cramping and spotting. Some people find the cramping so uncomfortable that they have trouble sleeping. If you experience heavy bleeding after membrane sweeping, see your healthcare provider right away.
Membrane sweeping can be performed at 39 weeks for many people with uncomplicated pregnancies. Talk with your healthcare provider and ask if this is an option for you.
The goal of membrane sweeping is to induce labor. After the procedure, it’s normal to experience cramping and spotting. If membrane sweeping successfully induces labor, you can expect to start feeling contractions up to three days after your appointment.
Membrane sweeping is an uncomfortable procedure that can lead to cramping and spotting. Some people find the cramping so uncomfortable that they have trouble sleeping. If you experience heavy bleeding after membrane sweeping, see your healthcare provider right away.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Induction of labor at 39 weeks.Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.Post-term pregnancy.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.When pregnancy goes past your due date.Adams R, Lichorad A, Simmons J.Membrane sweeping to decrease rates of postdate induction.Am Fam Physician. 2017 Jan 1;95(1):35-36.Finucane EM, Murphy DJ, Biesty LM, et al.Membrane sweeping for induction of labour.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;2(2):CD000451. Published 2020 Feb 27. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000451.pub3Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health.Membrane sweeping.Additional ReadingRamya V, Ghose S, Pallavee P.Membrane sweeping for vaginal birth after caesarean section and its outcome -A comparative study.J Clin Diagn Res. 2015 Aug;9(8):QC01-3. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2015/11161.6306
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Induction of labor at 39 weeks.Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.Post-term pregnancy.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.When pregnancy goes past your due date.Adams R, Lichorad A, Simmons J.Membrane sweeping to decrease rates of postdate induction.Am Fam Physician. 2017 Jan 1;95(1):35-36.Finucane EM, Murphy DJ, Biesty LM, et al.Membrane sweeping for induction of labour.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;2(2):CD000451. Published 2020 Feb 27. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000451.pub3Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health.Membrane sweeping.Additional ReadingRamya V, Ghose S, Pallavee P.Membrane sweeping for vaginal birth after caesarean section and its outcome -A comparative study.J Clin Diagn Res. 2015 Aug;9(8):QC01-3. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2015/11161.6306
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Induction of labor at 39 weeks.Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.Post-term pregnancy.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.When pregnancy goes past your due date.Adams R, Lichorad A, Simmons J.Membrane sweeping to decrease rates of postdate induction.Am Fam Physician. 2017 Jan 1;95(1):35-36.Finucane EM, Murphy DJ, Biesty LM, et al.Membrane sweeping for induction of labour.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;2(2):CD000451. Published 2020 Feb 27. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000451.pub3Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health.Membrane sweeping.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Induction of labor at 39 weeks.
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.Post-term pregnancy.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.When pregnancy goes past your due date.
Adams R, Lichorad A, Simmons J.Membrane sweeping to decrease rates of postdate induction.Am Fam Physician. 2017 Jan 1;95(1):35-36.
Finucane EM, Murphy DJ, Biesty LM, et al.Membrane sweeping for induction of labour.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;2(2):CD000451. Published 2020 Feb 27. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000451.pub3
Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health.Membrane sweeping.
Ramya V, Ghose S, Pallavee P.Membrane sweeping for vaginal birth after caesarean section and its outcome -A comparative study.J Clin Diagn Res. 2015 Aug;9(8):QC01-3. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2015/11161.6306
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