What is a membrane sweep?
A membrane sweep is when your healthcare provider sweeps a gloved finger across the membranes that connect the amniotic sac (a fluid-filled sac that contains the fetus) to the wall of your uterus. This separation of the amniotic membranes from your uterus can speed up labor inpregnantpeople.
Membrane sweeps help your body release chemicals called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins help soften, thin and dilate (open) your cervix to prepare you for labor.
It’s common and safe, but there’s no guarantee a membrane sweep will jumpstartlaboror contractions. It’s an optional procedure your healthcare provider may suggest as you near or pass your due date.
You can only have a membrane sweep if your cervix has begun dilating. Membrane sweeps are often suggested as the first option to get labor started naturally before having to induce labor.
Other names for a membrane sweep are:
- Membrane stripping or stripping of the membranes.
- Cervical sweep.
Why would I have my membranes stripped?
Your healthcare provider may suggest stripping your membranes to start labor if your cervix is partially dilated but contractions haven’t begun or have started and then stopped. Membrane stripping happens around 39 or 40 weeks in pregnancy. It’s a way to induce labor naturally and without medication.
Healthcare providers will not perform membrane sweeps on people who show signs of needing aC-section.
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What week in pregnancy do membrane sweeps happen?
Providers don’t usually perform membrane sweeps until 39 weeks or later in pregnancy. You can have one up until about 42 weeks of pregnancy. You must be slightly dilated, which allows your healthcare provider to reach up into your cervix to perform the sweep. If your pregnancy is high risk or you have underlying medical conditions, your healthcare provider may feel a membrane sweep is unsafe.
How common are membrane sweeps?
Membrane sweeps are very common. The exact number of membrane sweeps isn’t known, but many providers offer it routinely to anyone who is healthy, eager to go into labor and at least 39 weeks pregnant.
