What Is A Membrane Sweep?

As your due date approaches, according to your pregnancy calculator, you may be daydreaming about the moment you will meet your young one. However, even after a week away from the big day, you may feel uncomfortable and more than ready to meet your baby. At your last prenatal checkups, your healthcare provider might suggest you must have a membrane sweep. 

A membrane sweep is said to bring on labor if you are overdue. However, how does it work? What does it feel like? And will there be any risks? Read on to find out!

Understanding Membrane Sweep

Membrane sweep, also known as cervical sweep or membrane step, is a process of manually stimulating the cervix to release the hormone prostaglandin in order to promote the onset of natural birth. 

The technique separates the baby’s amniotic sac from your uterus. Your baby’s amniotic sac surrounds them with fluid that cushions their body and is responsible for pushing right up against the uterus walls, stretching and growing together as the baby develops. 

When your body notices the separation of the uterus and amniotic sac, it will release prostaglandins. It will soften your cervix and cause contractions. Your healthcare provider can sweep your membranes in an exam room to get your labor started faster. 

What to Expect from a Membrane Sweep?

You will have the procedure done when your healthcare provider checks your cervix for dilation. Here are some pregnancy tips on what to expect from the procedure.

• You will lie on an exam table and put your feet up in stirrups,
• Your healthcare provider, with a gloved hand, will insert two fingers into your cervix.
• You might feel some pressure as they check for dilation.
• Your provider might put their finger past the cervical opening to the baby's head. They will use a circular motion to do a membrane sweep.

Is Membrane Sweep Safe?

Membrane sweep is generally a safe procedure. While there might be some discomfort or slight pain, it is considered as an ideal labor induction option. The procedure is expected to induce labor within 48 hours.  However, in rare cases, pregnant women face pregnancy complications like rupturing of the amniotic sac, vaginal bleeding, and spotting. 

The Bottom Line,

Now that you have a fair idea of what to expect during the membrane sweep, it's time to make one more important decision before the labor time hits: stem cell banking. At Cryoviva, we offer state-of-the-art facilities for stem cell banking in india and security measures to collect your cord blood at the time of your childbirth.  We help you preserve your little one’s precious stem cells and make them accessible whenever required at an affordable package.