A stretch and sweep, sometimes called a sweep or membrane sweep, or stripping the membranes. This is usually the first part of induction, and you may need to make a choice about whether to have some in the weeks before your hospital induction appointment, you may be offered one or more sweeps, so the important question is…
What happens?
As always, you should have an explanation of the procedure you are being offered, along with why it’s being offered, the risks and you should have time to ask any questions and to make an informed decision (you can read more in the decision making blog).
The procedure involved a vaginal examination, where the midwife / doctor aims to get 2 fingers inside of your cervix and making circular sweeping movements.
Why?
The aim of this procedure is to get labour going. The circular action aims to release the membranes from the lower part of the uterus, and stimulate the release of prostaglandins, with the hope that labour starts.
Hoes it hurt?
This is a common question, and the simple answer is it can, it’s usually uncomfortable but sometimes people report it’s painful. Some bleeding following a sweep is common.
Will that actually work?
Maybe! It’s really hard to say, usually people who are offered a sweep around or beyond their due date, so it’s hard to tell whether it was the sweep that started things off or if it would have happened anyway!
There’s not enough evidence to say whether they work or not, check the resources below for more information, particularly the Cochrane Review for relevant research.
Additional Resources
NICE Guidelines (p15) https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng207/resources/inducing-labour-pdf-66143719773637
Cochrane Review for Membrane Sweeping: https://www.cochrane.org/CD000451/PREG_membrane-sweeping-induction-labour