She will withdraw her finger and let you know that she’s been unable to do the sweep. If your cervix is still closed, the midwife will not force it open.Your midwife or obstetrician will again confirm that she has your consent, and will then insert one or two lubricated fingers into your vagina and feel for your cervix ⁴.Once you’ve consented to the membrane sweep, you will be given some privacy to undress from the waist down and lie back comfortably on an examination table or bed.‘It’s important to feel safe and well informed before any internal examination,’ says Leah. This is a good opportunity for you to ask any questions, and express any concerns you might have about the procedure. At your appointment your midwife or doctor will explain the procedure and any risks or benefits.A step-by-step guide to having a membrane sweep If you're having twins or more, your doctor or midwife will probably recommend that you have a planned birth if you haven't gone into labour by 32-37 weeks (depending on whether your twins share a placenta and chorionic sac) ⁵. you've had problems with vaginal bleeding in your pregnancy ⁴. There's a medical issue that means your baby needs to be born very quickly via medical induction ⁴ ‘You are likely be offered a sweep if you are overdue (40+ weeks pregnant), as it can help to get things going,’ says Leah. If labour still hasn’t begun and you’re well past your due date or there are other concerns about you or your baby, your midwife or doctor might suggest setting a date for you to be induced (have your labour started artificially with hormones) ¹. There's no evidence that having a membrane sweep can cause your waters to break ⁴.A membrane sweep may not be suitable if you have a high-risk pregnancy or underlying health conditions – for example, if you are likely to need a caesarean.Although it works in lots of cases, there is no guarantee that labour will start after a membrane sweep.You may experience some light bleeding or cramping after the procedure ¹.The effects are quick too! Most women will go into labour within 48 hours after a membrane sweep ³.It's a quick procedure that can be done in just a few minutes.You can have it performed at home, in an antenatal clinic or in hospital ².It may mean you avoid further intervention ².It’s a natural method of stimulating labour (even if it doesn't exactly feel ‘natural’!) ². Watch our video to find out if it's safe do to a DIY membrane sweep at home.'It may be slightly uncomfortable but should never be painful and, if it works, it can help some women avoid the more complicated intervention of induction.' The pros and cons of having a membrane sweep If you don't want a sweep and don't want your labour induced, you may prefer to try some natural ways to get labour started. Although there’s no guarantee it will start your labour, it does help some women avoid having their labour induced in more invasive ways. If you don't want to have a sweep, you can decline the offer. You may be offered two or three membrane sweeps before your doctor or midwife suggests other ways for you to be induced. If you've passed your due date, you should be offered a membrane sweep before other methods of induction. If this isn't your first baby, you should be offered a membrane sweep at your 41-week antenatal appointment. Some midwives will offer a membrane sweep every 72 hours (three days). If you're a first-time mum, you should be offered a membrane sweep at your antenatal appointments at 40 weeks and again at 41 weeks. 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. 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.
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