To Sweep or Not to Sweep....???

Ah,  the membrane sweep.  What is it exactly?  Also referred to as a stretch and sweep or membrane stripping. It is a technique that involves gently lifting the amniotic sac away from the cervix and the lower part of the uterus. Your doctor or midwife inserts a gloved finger through the cervical canal and uses a sweeping motion to separate the membrane from the cervix. This intervention releases prostaglandins, which are the chemicals that help soften and open the cervix for labour.  Most providers will offer you a sweep in late pregnancy.  Remember, it is your choice and it should never be preformed without your explicit consent!

What are the risks and benefits of the sweep?
Risks 

• It can be uncomfortable, or downright painful for some
• May cause spotting and light bleeding
• Can cause cramping
• May take several tries 
• It often is not effective if preformed before 39 weeks
• On rare occasions your provider breaks your bag of waters by accident

Benefits

• It is a drug free option
• It is a generally safe option
• If your body is close to spontaneous labour, it may prevent a formal medical induction

So the take-away really is, getting an early sweep will likely just be uncomfortable and make you feel crampy without any real benefit.  After 39 weeks a sweep(s) can be helpful if you want to avoid a medical induction or get spontaneous labour kick-started.  Just remember, there are no guarantees.