Time to spontaneous delivery was 2.5 days shorter in the intervention group (10 trials N = 1,580 mean difference = −2.5 95% confidence interval, −3.0 to −2.0), and there was a decreased need for formal labor induction (12 trials N = 1,493 risk ratio = 0.28 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.5). 1 Sweeping was primarily compared with no intervention, although several small trials compared it with prostaglandin or oxytocin (Pitocin) administration. A 2005 Cochrane review evaluated membrane sweeping for induction of labor in 22 RCTs with a total of 2,797 pregnant women at term. It involves inserting a finger into the cervical os and sweeping it circumferentially to separate the fetal membranes from the uterus. Your doctor or midwife will check where your placenta is before going ahead with the procedure.Īsk your doctor or midwife about the benefits and risks before agreeing to have a stretch and sweep.Membrane sweeping or stripping is routinely used in late pregnancy. If you have a low-lying placenta, you should not have a stretch and sweep. However, it may not be safe if you have hepatitis C or HIV. The main issue is that it might not work, and it might not trigger labour.Ī stretch and sweep usually won’t cause an infection, even if you have had a positive group B streptococcus (GBS) test result. If your pregnancy is uncomplicated, there is very little risk involved in having a stretch and sweep. What are the risks of a stretch and sweep? Eventually, if you’re still not in labour, your doctor or midwife will talk to you about having an induction. The procedure can be repeated if you don’t go into labour over the next couple of days. Pay close attention to your baby’s movements after you’ve had a stretch and sweep. If you’re in a lot of pain, call your midwife or doctor. You can take paracetamol and have a warm bath if you are in pain. You might have some cramps or contractions after a stretch and sweep. If you do, contact your midwife, doctor or hospital immediately. However, you shouldn’t have fresh, red bleeding. You might see some blood mixed in with the mucus. What can I expect after a stretch and sweep?Īfterwards you might experience a ‘show’ - this is a plug of mucus that comes out of your cervix. If you find the procedure too uncomfortable, you can ask your midwife or doctor to stop at any time. If your cervix is closed, your midwife or doctor will massage the outside of your cervix. They will then sweep their finger around in a circular movement to try to separate the membranes from the wall of your uterus. If your cervix is open, your midwife or doctor will insert their finger into the opening and gently stretch your cervix. Then, using gloves and lubricant gel, they will insert their fingers into your vagina and check if your cervix is closed or open. They will check that your baby is in position for birth, lying head down. The procedure is done by a midwife or doctor as part of an internal vaginal examination. What can I expect from a stretch and sweep? It’s your choice if you have a stretch and sweep, and you don’t have to have one, if you don’t want to. If you have a health condition that would make it unsafe for you to go past your due date, you might be offered a stretch and sweep from 38 weeks. Some hospitals and doctors offer it from 39 weeks. Your midwife or doctor may offer to do a stretch and sweep when you have reached your due date. It also reduces the chance of your labour needing to be induced.Īnother advantage is that it can be done during a routine appointment and you can go home afterwards. This reduces the chance of your baby being born overdue. It makes you more likely to go into labour naturally in the next 2 days. If your pregnancy is low risk, a stretch and sweep is a safe procedure. What are the benefits of a stretch and sweep? This releases hormones called prostaglandins, which prepare your cervix for birth. It is a simple procedure where the membranes of the sac around your baby are gently pulled away from the wall of your uterus (womb).
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