You may be offered two or three membrane sweeps before your doctor or midwife suggests other ways for you to be induced. If you've passed your due date, you should be offered a membrane sweep before other methods of induction. If this isn't your first baby, you should be offered a membrane sweep at your 41-week antenatal appointment. Some midwives will offer a membrane sweep every 72 hours (three days). If you're a first-time mum, you should be offered a membrane sweep at your antenatal appointments at 40 weeks and again at 41 weeks. You may experience some slight spotting of blood, cramps or irregular contractions immediately afterwards. If you've been practising breathing techniques ready for labour, you may find they help you to relax while your midwife is carrying out the sweep.

If your waters have broken but labour hasn't started, membrane sweeps are not recommended as, in these circumstances, they can increase your risk of infection.Ī membrane sweep can be uncomfortable, as the cervix is often difficult to reach before your labour begins. Rest assured that a membrane sweep won't increase the risk of infection for you or your baby, as long as your waters haven’t broken.

It has a higher chance of working if your cervix is already softening and preparing for labour. If your cervix then starts to soften and open, your midwife may be able to do a proper sweep at your next appointment.Ī membrane sweep increases the likelihood that labour will start naturally within 48 hours. This stimulation may be enough to start the ripening of your cervix. The procedure may also be called a stretch and sweep, because if a sweep isn't possible, your midwife may still try to stretch or massage your cervix.

Sweep in pregnancy at 39 weeks