When 37 weeks is considered full term, it’s tempting to schedule a membrane stripping procedure to help get that baby out of there as soon as possible. What’s the final word on membrane stripping?Īfter 38 weeks, membrane stripping is most likely to be effective. Because the cervix is highly vascular and bleeds easily during pregnancy, women may encounter light spotting following delivery. Stripping may also include mechanical dilation of an unfavorable cervix. Doctors are more concerned about introducing bacteria into your cervix while stripping membranes, which could result in an infection that complicates labor and delivery. Simply put, if the doctor accidentally ruptures the amniotic sac while stripping membranes, you may need an emergency c-section. When a woman’s membranes rupture at term, labor must be augmented if she is not already in active labor. While they are rare, there are some risks involved with membrane stripping. Because a membrane sweep is a low-risk procedure, it is often promoted as a “natural” alternative to oxytocin or vaginal prostaglandin induction.Īnother advantage of membrane stripping is that it can usually be performed in your healthcare provider’s office, as opposed to other pregnancy interventions, such as versions, which must be performed in the hospital. Stripping membranes is safe and poses few risks, according to research. However, if done too soon, it may not work and may increase the need for other interventions later. But if your body is ready for labor, stripping membranes will more likely induce labor. The information presented in various reports can be confusing. The signs of a successful membrane sweep include: What are the positive signs of a membrane sweep?Īfter a membrane sweep, positive signs show that your body has responded well and that labor is progressing. The idea is that stripping membranes kick-starts labor, so unlike a medicated induction, your labor will start semi-spontaneously after a membrane sweep. Your GP/midwife will then gently sweep their fingers back and forth to separate the membranes from the uterine wall. Things get uncomfortable when the doctor has to reach for the internal orifice of the uterus where the bag of water is attached to the uterine wall. There’s the external orifice, which is where your doctor will insert the finger. The cervix is the entrance point to the uterus. In layman’s terms, do you know how your doctor usually performs weekly cervix checks toward the end of your pregnancy to check effacement and dilation? A membrane sweep is similar to that.Ĭonsider the female anatomy poster in your GP/midwife’s office. This action increases the endogenous production of oxytocin, prostaglandins, and phospholipase A, all of which help soften and dilate the cervix. Membrane stripping is a mechanical method of inducing labor used between 38 and 40 weeks gestation to prevent post-term pregnancies (after 41 weeks gestation).Ī GP/midwife will insert a finger into the cervix and sweep between the amniotic sac membranes to separate the sac. Membrane stripping (also known as membrane sweep) isn’t exactly a spa day. Membrane stripping is a fairly common procedure, but is it as effective as it seems? To find out, continue reading this blog. This is where the option of a membrane sweep may be presented for the first time.Ī membrane sweep may sound gross and scary, but if you’re nearing (or past) full term and ready to evict your little angel by any means necessary, it might not be the worst idea for inducing labor. At your 40-week appointment, your GP/midwife may suggest that you consider induction because your baby is simply too comfortable in your womb. Some women, however, will remain pregnant for weeks after they reach that point. Most women will experience it around 37 weeks or whenever moving becomes difficult. There will come a time when you are completely over being pregnant. While being pregnant has its perks (such as being able to eat as much ice cream as you want).
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