

Keep an eye on any labor symptoms and call your doctor if you suspect labor has actually begun. If you have your “bloody show” or lose your mucus plug, it could mean labor is imminent. You should discuss the pros and cons extensively with your doctor before you proceed.

You can have contractions for days or even weeks before you actually go into labor, making for sleepless nights and uncomfortable days. Some midwives and obstetricians eschew membrane sweeping in normal pregnancies as they can make the remaining time of the pregnancy so uncomfortable. So, what are the signs a membrane sweep has worked? How do you know it has kickstarted labor? Those contractions, obviously - have a timer handy in case they become more regular.
#MEMBRANE SWEEP AT 39 WEEKS SUCCESS RATE FULL#
With any luck, though, you’ll go into labor! Although, in full disclosure, that doesn’t happen instantaneously. You may even have some light spotting and cramping or contractions. Not surprisingly, you may feel a bit tender and sore afterward. What should I expect after a membrane sweep? In many cases, a membrane sweep can lead to childbirth a few days earlier. Just think of it this way - membrane sweeping is largely viewed as less effective than induction by medication, but more effective than other natural methods of induction (i.e. Some doctors contend that factors such as how far along a woman is make a big difference in the overall outcome. How effective is a membrane sweep?Īs is often the case in the medical community, you may hear varying opinions on just how effective membrane sweeping really is. You can always ask your healthcare provider to stop if it hurts too much for you. Real talk, though, it’s nowhere near as painful as childbirth itself, and it’s over in just a few (uncomfortable) minutes. Your doctor or midwife will remind you to relax and breathe through it, because that’s about all you can do. If you don’t want to risk any additional medical interference birth plan, you might want to forgo membrane sweeps. Given this, your doctor may want to move forward with more medical forms of induction. If that timeframe flies by and there’s still no other signs of labor, your baby starts to become more susceptible to infections. That’s still not necessarily a “negative.” However, once your sac ruptures, your doctor will usually expect labor to begin within a certain timeframe. In other words, there is always a chance that a membrane sweep can lead to your water breaking. The National Library of Medicine published a study that suggests a slight risk of a premature rupture of the amniotic sac during membrane sweeps. While doctors will tell you a membrane sweep is virtually risk-free, “virtually” doesn’t cut it for some mamas. In a 2014 study published by the Journal of Clinical Gynecology and Obstetrics, researchers concluded, “Sweeping of the membranes at term is safe and reduces the incidence of post-date gestation.” So, is there any reason to skip a membrane sweep? Is membrane sweeping safe?Īs long as your pregnancy is considered normal, you likely have nothing to worry about. But more to the point, trust medical professionals who underscore that this would be a terrible, terrible idea. You are not a master of DIY membrane sweeping, so don’t even entertain the idea. Membrane sweeping should always be done by a trained healthcare professional. They’ll make a gently circular, or “sweeping,” movement with the finger to separate the amniotic sac from the sides of the uterus near the cervix.ĭo not - we repeat, do not - try this at home. Your healthcare provider will put a gloved finger into your vagina and then into the cervix. Not unlike a standard examination, you’ll hop onto the exam table and assume the position (you know the one). If you’re not sure what the process entails or whether it’s safe, we have the rundown on what you need to know about this technique and whether it’s right for you. I had it during both of my pregnancies, and both times I was in labor a few blissfully short days later. Membrane sweep is a method used by health care practitioners to naturally and gently trigger labor in a normal, full-term pregnancy. Real talk: You also feel like you’re going to pop, so you may be super-receptive to the idea of membrane sweeping when your doctor mentions it. You’ll inevitably be a little nervous about childbirth because, hello, it’s a big deal! But, mostly, you’re looking forward to laying your eyes on your baby for the first time. By the time you hit 39 weeks in your pregnancy - a milestone known to expectant mamas as full-term - you’re beyond ready to meet your little one.
