Once your due date has passed, we can try to give nature a helping hand. We do this, for example, to reduce the chance that labor will need to be induced due to going too far overdue (from 41 weeks). During a membrane sweep, the midwife performs an internal examination (vaginal touch). She feels inside your vagina with two fingers to check if the cervix is open (if there is dilation). If this is the case, the midwife can reach your baby’s head with her fingers. She then rotates her fingers a few times around the head, thereby separating the membranes from the uterine wall. This is called membrane sweeping. Subsequently, your body produces the hormone prostaglandin. This substance ensures the ripening of the cervix and hopefully triggers contractions! There are no risks associated with membrane sweeping. However, it is possible that you may experience some blood loss afterwards. The cervix is well-vascularized. If the cervix is touched, a small blood vessel may burst. The blood loss is temporary and stops on its own. If the blood loss is more than a small amount, it is always advisable to call us for consultation.
If there is no dilation during the vaginal examination, you cannot be stripped. Our midwife will then explain what the next steps will be.
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