This triggers the release of prostaglandins, which may help further ripen your cervix and get contractions going. Your practitioner may suggest membrane stripping if you're near or past your due date. A pregnancy that goes longer than 41 or 42 weeks puts you and your baby at greater risk for problems.
For example, the placenta may become less effective at delivering nutrients and oxygen to your baby, increasing the risk of a stillbirth or serious problem for your newborn.
If your practitioner is concerned that you or your baby aren't doing well, she may suggest a c-section or a quicker method of induction. Yes, membrane stripping is safe when it's done at full term 39 to 41 weeks. Generally, yes. One study reported that 90 percent of women who had a membrane sweep delivered by 41 weeks, compared to 75 percent of women who didn't have one. After the membrane sweep, you typically go home and wait for labor to start, usually within the next couple days.
You may have some spotting and cramping during this time. Getting a membrane sweep feels kind of like a rough cervical check. During my first sweep, with my second baby, my whole body involuntarily recoiled. I got the sweep at an afternoon OB appointment and scheduled an induction for the following morning.
By the time I showed up for the induction at 6 a. They went ahead and gave me some Pitocin anyway. My daughter was born in less than four hours. When I had my membrane swept during my third pregnancy, I started spotting immediately. This is a fairly common side effect. I put on a panty liner when I got home and experienced mild, periodic cramping throughout that afternoon.
By the time evening rolled around, actual contractions started. My husband and I headed to the hospital around that night, and our third child was born about five hours later. Since the membrane sweep worked so well with baby number three, I requested another during my fourth pregnancy. I never even felt any cramping at all that day. This time, the sweep didn't work. I was bummed, for sure, because I was so ready to be done with that pregnancy and meet my baby.
I was also hoping to avoid induction. At this point, your doctor may offer you additional options to welcome your baby into the world. One option is inducing labor with medicine that stimulates contractions. This option is thought to stimulate labor without administering medications or performing a cesarean delivery. Your membranes are another name for the amniotic sac. This is where your baby grows and develops for nine months. The process typically takes less than 10 minutes.
Your doctor will first apply sterile gloves. Your doctor will then perform a cervical examination to determine if your cervix is open. If the cervix is open, they will insert a finger into your cervix and perform a sweeping motion. This will separate your membranes from your cervix.
A membrane sweep is intended to stimulate the release of hormones known as prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are hormones that are associated with labor because they cause smooth muscle contractions. This includes contractions of the uterus that can lead to labor. Doctors intend for a stretch and sweep to stimulate labor within 48 hours. According to a review of study data published in The Cochrane Review, stretch and sweep performed at term labor was associated with reduced labor duration and pregnancy duration.
The review examined 22 studies that included nearly 3, women. However, the study did find that women who underwent stretch and sweep reported symptoms such as bleeding, irregular contractions, and discomfort during vaginal examination.
Photo: iStockPhoto. How does a stretch and sweep work? Why do you get a membrane sweep? Is a stretch and sweep safe? When can you get a membrane sweep? Is a stretch and sweep painful? Joseph Communications uses cookies for personalization, to customize its online advertisements, and for other purposes. Learn more or change your cookie preferences.
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