Membrane sweep at 38 weeks7/26/2023 If they were needed because the pregnancy had a medical need to end and this procedure helped end those pregnancies safely with less intervention- then this is great news. What the studies don’t say is why those inductions were needed. The studies also showed that membrane sweeping did somewhat reduce the need for other means of induction such as the use of prostaglandins or oxytocin/pitocin. However, as most pregnancies will not go past 42 weeks anyway this information has limited significance for the average expectant woman. If done at each appointment from 38 weeks on, membrane sweeping was shown to slightly reduce the number of pregnancies that go past 41 and 42 weeks. Studies do show that having the membranes swept can create clinically significant results. The agitation of this area and manipulation of the membranes may cause the body to increase production of prostaglandins, ie the hormones that are thought to ripen the cervix in preparation for labor. A finger is placed into the cervix, then in technical terms, “the inferior pole of the membranes is detached from the lower uterine segment by a circular movement of the examining finger”.* In lay terms that means that a finger is placed through the cervix and separates the membranes of the amniotic sac from the bottom part of the uterus, lifts it up a bit and a finger is run around the exposed diameter. Sweeping of the membranes, also called stripping or stretching, is a procedure performed during a vaginal exam. Sweeping, stretching and stripping all sound a bit scary, after all one’s lower uterus is not used to getting much action.
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