How effective is a Stretch and Sweep? Statistically, there is around a 24% success rate of the procedure being effective with labour tending to start within the next 48 hours. Most women will deliver their baby within one week of having a stretch and sweep done.
Stretch and sweep is used to help start labour and reduce the need for an induction. If it works, you can expect to go into labour within 48 hours. If it does not work, it can be repeated two or three times over the next few days.
It is ok to do nothing and wait until you go into labour however up to 60 – 70 out of 100 low risk women having at least one membrane sweep will go into labour within 42 weeks of pregnancy.
Stretch and sweep procedures at 41 weeks of pregnancy greatly reduce the percentage of women who deliver their babies beyond term. They may be offered as an alternative to inducing birth through medication or by rupturing the membranes. The procedure is safe in a normal pregnancy.
What happens after a membrane sweep? It's normal to experience some light bleeding after a membrane sweep. Some people experience contractions, cramping or mild discomfort afterward. If the bleeding becomes heavy or you have severe pain, contact your healthcare provider right away.
A membrane sweep increases the likelihood that labour will start within 48 hours. It has a higher chance of working if the neck of your womb is already softening and preparing for labour. How effective is a membrane sweep?
Gentle exercise releases endorphins in your body, which can help relieve some of the discomfort once your contractions start.
The review found that overall the intervention is associated with a 24% increase in chance of delivering within 48 hours, a 46% increase in chance of delivering within a week and a 74% reduction in likelihood of going 2 weeks over dates.
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 the stretch and sweep isn't effective the first time, a doctor may repeat it at a later time, usually a week later. They usually won't perform the procedure two days apart or less. If your body doesn't respond to this, medical induction or a cesarean delivery may be necessary.
The main purpose of a stretch and sweep is to reduce the need for a medical induction after the due date, says Dustin Costescu, an obstetrician in Hamilton, Ont. “Because it causes a natural release of chemicals, it is less risky than medications used for induction such as oxytocin or prostaglandin gels,” he explains.
In our experience we find that stretch and sweeps are the most effective the later you are in your pregnancy. This allows the body to do a lot of the preparation on its own and the stretch and sweep just helps nudge you into labour.
A sweep can't always be performed. 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. It can also cause bleeding and irregular contractions that do not progress into labour.
One study reported that 90 percent of women who had a membrane sweep delivered by 41 weeks, compared to 75 percent of women who didn't have one. Membrane stripping might be most effective if you're past your due date.
When we do a membrane sweep, we are trying to strip the membranes away from the cervix. This is something that you need training to do, to make sure that you don't actually hurt the cervix. So we wouldn't recommend that you do a DIY membrane sweep at home.
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. This bleeding can be reddish, pink, or brown and may be mixed with mucus. Spotting and cramping after membrane sweeping are normal.
Having a stretch and sweep done can be painful, especially if the mother is not yet in labour. Most women find they have a slight bleed and increase in mucousy vaginal discharge after the procedure. Sometimes a stretch and sweep causes contractions which don't eventuate into labour but are painful nonetheless.
There are no proven ways of starting your labour yourself at home. You may have heard that certain things can trigger labour, such as herbal supplements and having sex, but there's no evidence that these work.
Stripping membranes does not make the labor more painful. The procedure can cause you discomfort or mild pain and slight bleeding. The pain is due to the release of prostaglandins, which is normal.
Results: Spontaneous labour occurred in 79% of women following membrane sweep. A quarter of nulliparae (25%) and 18% of multipara had labour induction despite membrane sweep. Three quarters of both nulliparae (73%) and multipara (76%) delivered within 7 days of membrane sweep.
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.
Your midwife will probably talk to you about your options for bringing on labour at your 38 week antenatal visit, including a membrane sweep (also known as a cervical sweep). A membrane sweep may trigger natural labour, but there's no guarantee it will work.