It's safe to go about your normal day after a membrane sweep. You can have a bath or shower, eat and drink as normal, and even have sex if you like (as long as your waters haven't broken - if your waters break, contact your midwife)¹.
After your membrane sweep you should wear a sanitary pad and can go home and wait for your labour to start. Most women will go into labour within 48 hours. If you do not go into labour within 48 hours your community midwife will give you an appointment to come for an induction.
Walking. Being upright and gently active may help your baby move down towards your cervix, which encourages it to open, according to this NHS guidance.
Signs a membrane sweep for labor induction has worked
Cramping with mild discomfort. Spotting. Light bleeding, as blood vessels begin to break when the cervix starts to dilate.
The cramping that may occur in the 24 hours after membrane sweeping can make it hard to rest or sleep. This means that you might lose some sleep before actually going into labor.
A stretch and sweep could also send you into a false or slow labour. You might have some hormonal changes, some cramping or spotting, but labour does not start for a few days. This can lead to tension, restlessness and tiredness – not a great way to feel when you go into actual labour.
The procedure only takes a few minutes, but it can be uncomfortable or slightly painful. Some people describe it as a rough cervical exam. You should expect some discomfort during and just after the membrane sweep. If the sweep worked, you may begin feeling contractions within a few hours.
It is common to have a 'show' after a stretch and sweep. The 'show' is a mucous plug that sits inside the opening of the cervix and can be disturbed by the doctor or midwife's finger during the procedure. Whilst it is usually clear, it is normal for this 'show' to have a small amount of blood in it afterwards.
Unless you are at least 1 cm dilated, it can't be done. After a sweep you will most likely lose some or all of your mucous plug.
The procedure takes a few minutes and there is no pain afterwards, usually a little crampiness, a bit like mild period pain. You can have a sweep done at the clinic and can go shopping afterwards!
What should I expect after membrane sweeping? Membrane sweeping does not usually start labor right away. During membrane sweeping, you may feel some cramping like you get during your period. You may feel mild cramps or contractions (muscles of your uterus getting tight) for up to 24 hours afterward.
As long as the mucus plug discharges after 37 weeks of pregnancy or later and you and your doctor have no concerns, there is nothing specific you need to do after losing the mucus plug. Even if you lose your mucus plug several weeks before delivery, don't worry. Your baby is still protected.
You might have some cramps or contractions after a stretch and sweep. You can take paracetamol and have a warm bath if you are in pain. If you're in a lot of pain, call your midwife or doctor.
What Is the Membrane Sweep Success Rate? The success rate is about 24% in 48 hours; if labor is not induced succesfully, more measures will be taken after 36 hours.
Focusing on slow breathing and using other relaxation techniques during the exam can help to reduce discomfort. You may have some spotting after the procedure, so wearing a panty liner is a good idea. It is normal to feel some cramping afterwards. This cramping may or may not continue into active labour.
Do membrane sweeps hurt? It depends. Many women find the procedure uncomfortable or slightly painful, but it shouldn't last long. Cramping and spotting are normal afterwards, but lots of pain or heavy bleeding warrant a call to your provider right away.
The procedure may cause some slight discomfort, slight bleeding or a 'show' and/or tightening of the womb. All of these are normal, and will not cause any harm to you or your baby. It will not increase the chance of your baby getting an infection. Membrane sweeping is not recommended if your waters have broken.
If you do have membrane sweeping, expect to feel some cramping during the procedure. You might feel mild cramps or contractions for up to 24 hours afterward. You may also have slight spotting (a small amount of bleeding on your underwear) for up to 3 days.
Irregular contractions are not the same timing, duration, or strength as each other. They are common in early labor, as active labor is approaching. They are usually one of the strong signs labor is 24-48 hours away. Irregular contractions can feel like your belly is tightening, with cramping lower in your pelvis.
Losing your mucus plug generally means your cervix has started to dilate, efface or both. It means labor is around the corner, but there is not an exact time for how soon after other labor symptoms will start. In some cases, you may already be in labor when you lose your mucus plug.
However, because it can come out in small pieces over time, some people may not notice any changes or experience any symptoms after losing their mucus plug. In some cases, a person may also experience other early signs of labor after losing their mucus plug, including: period-like cramps.
“Any pain is short-lived, and when the procedure is done, there is no residual pain,” she offers. The whole procedure, which can be done at the doctor's office, in a midwife's clinic or at home, is over in about a minute, and you'll be fine to drive home afterwards if needed.
A bloody show usually means labor is coming soon. Some women experience a bloody show weeks before labor and others don't have a bloody show until they are in labor. It's a good indication that your body is getting ready and your baby is in the final stages of development.
How effective is a stretch and sweep? Having a stretch and sweep is no guarantee that labour will begin. If your labour is going to start it will usually do so within 48 hours of the stretch and sweep. If the stretch and sweep does not bring on labour, then an induction of labour may need to be considered.