Membrane sweeps

Membrane sweeps

A membrane sweep or ‘stretch and sweep’ is when the midwife or doctor inserts two fingers into the vagina, through the cervix (if it is open enough) and uses a circular sweeping motion around the membranes in order to try and stimulate your body to release the hormone prostaglandin and create tightenings. NICE guidelines suggest that a sweep can be discussed and offered to women from 39 weeks.

Although a membrane sweep isn’t a formal stage in the induction of labour process, it is still classed as a method of inducing labour and is often thought of as a way of avoiding a hospital induction. The evidence around membrane sweeps suggests that a sweep ‘may’ increase the chances of a woman going into labour spontaneously, therefore ‘may’ decrease the need for a formal induction of labour (ref. a).

One study shows that 8 women would need to have a membrane sweep in order for 1 woman to go into spontaneous labour and not need an IOL (ref. b). The issue with this study is that it cannot be controlled; it is not possible to say whether it was the sweep that caused the woman to go into labour or whether labour was going to start at that time anyway. It is also unknown when the best time to carry out a sweep is and how regularly it would need to be done, in order for it to be effective (ref. a) The studies used to make these conclusions about membrane sweeps, include findings from women as early as 36 weeks to as late as 42 weeks gestation, with each woman experiencing varying numbers of sweeps (ref .a). It has therefore been concluded that the research around membrane sweeps is of poor quality and more research needs to be carried out.

As with any intervention in your pregnancy, it is your choice as to whether you would like a membrane sweep.

Side effects and risks associated with membrane sweeps

 • Light bleeding

• Accidental rupture of membranes (releasing of waters). If this happens then a medical IOL is likely to be advised (see pre labour rupture of membranes section)

• Irregular tightenings and a longer early phase of labour, which can result in the need for more pain relief

• Infection - all vaginal examinations increase the risk of introducing infection

• Discomfort during the sweep