Membrane sweeps or stripping the membranes is a drug free way of encouraging labour…

Membrane sweeps or stripping the membranes is a drug free way of encouraging labour when you are overdue to avoid a medical induction. Sometimes it's offered prior to a medical induction to see if it will get things going. . So how is it performed? The midwife or obstetrician puts a finger into the cervix and makes a circular or sweeping movement around the baby's head if it's low enough or simply around the neck of the cervix. The point of it is to separate the sac surrounding your baby from the cervix. This can stir up some hormones to start softening and dilating the cervix. A membrane sweep can be uncomfortable, especially if the cervix is very posterior and can cause some light bleeding. . One study concluded that having a membrane sweep after your due date can increase the chance of you going into labour within 48 hours by 24% and a 46% increase in the chance of giving birth within 7 days. . You can have more than one membrane sweep if the first doesn't work or you don't have to have one at all! It's totally your call. . Have you had a membrane sweep before? If so what was your experience, let me know in the comments 👇🏽👇🏽