Towards the end of your pregnancy or if you have an induction of labour planned, you will be offered a membrane sweep. This can be done at home, in a community clinic/birth centre or in the hospital.
A membrane sweep might help start labour. If you have a planned induction of labour, it might help to make your cervix more favourable so less induction methods are needed.
A membrane sweep is a drug free method that can help start labour within the next 48 hours.
It involves an examination inside the vagina. The midwife inserts a finger into the neck of the womb (cervix) to separate the membranes from the cervix in a circular movement. A membrane sweep cannot be done if your cervix is closed. This can be uncomfortable.
A membrane sweep is usually offered at 39 to 40 weeks of pregnancy.
Sometimes a membrane sweep is not recommended, for example, if your waters have already broken or your baby’s head is not fixed in the pelvis.
Pain, discomfort and vaginal bleeding are possible after the membrane sweep. A membrane sweep will not cause any harm to your baby. It does not increase the chance of you or your baby getting an infection.
More membrane sweeps can be offered if labour does not start after the first sweep (3 sweeps in total).
Membrane sweeping may start labour without the need for other methods of induction. A study in 2005 found that 1 in 7 women may go into labour after a membrane sweep (Finucane et al 2020).
If you have not been offered a membrane sweep and would like one, please call the Community Midwifery office on 0116 258 6111 and press option 5.
Useful links
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust runs a confidential secure text messaging service for parents of children aged 0-19 years called Chat Health. The service operates Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, excluding bank holidays. All texts will be responded to by a public health nurse (health visitor/school nurse) within 24 hours. Outside of the service working hours, you’ll receive a message back to inform you that your text will be responded to once the line reopens.
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Leicester City:
text
07520 615381 -
Leicestershire & Rutland:
text
07520 615382
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust runs the Healthy Together Helpline for parents and carers in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. The Helpline’s qualified health and administrative professionals offer easy to access, safe and free advice, support and signposting. Calls are answered from 9am – 4.30pm on weekdays, excluding bank holidays. Calls are charged at the same rate as calling a standard landline number.
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Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland:
call 0300 300 3001
Should you require urgent health advice in the meantime, please contact your GP, visit an NHS walk-in centre or call NHS 111. For emergencies, dial 999 or visit A&E.