Please telephone the Maternity Assessment Unit at the hospital where you are booked if you have any concerns. You will be able to go home following the membrane sweep, but it is important that you monitor your baby’s movements and any bleeding that may occur. A membrane sweep cannot be undertaken if your waters have broken. It will not increase the chance of you or your baby getting an infection. There may be some discomfort or bleeding but it will not cause any harm to you or your baby. This increases the production of hormones called prostaglandins which can encourage labour to start. The procedure involves the doctor or midwife putting two fingers inside your cervix and making a circular sweeping movement to separate the membranes from the cervix. You may be offered a membrane sweep by your community midwife. The timing will be advised by the midwife or doctor responsible for your care.Ī membrane sweep is a vaginal examination that can be carried out at home or at an Antenatal Clinic by either a doctor or midwife. You will also be offered a membrane sweep if induction of labour is being done for medical reasons. This procedure has been shown to increase the chances of labour starting naturally within 48 hours of the procedure and can reduce the need for other methods of induction of labour.

Once you have reached your due date, you will be offered a membrane sweep, followed by another at 41 weeks should your pregnancy continue. Membrane Sweep (also known as a stretch and sweep)Ĭomplications and risks of the Cervical Ripening Balloon CatheterĬomplications and risks of a membrane sweep You may need just one or all of these methods. They may sometimes cause contractions to start as well. There are a number of methods used to soften and open the cervix in order to be able to ‘break the waters’ around the baby.

Membrane sweep