After a membrane sweep, go home and wait for labor to start. Common signs of labor include contractions, losing your mucus plug, having a bloody show, and your water breaking. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you have any severe pain or heavy bleeding after your membrane sweep.
After having a membrane sweep
Most women will go into labour within 48 hours. If you do not go into labour within 48 hours your community midwife will give you an appointment to come for an induction. You will be given more information explaining induction if you need one.
Although it is not guaranteed to work, it is considered an effective way of encouraging the onset of natural labour within the following 48 hours and can reduce the chances of you needing an induction. If your first sweep is unsuccessful, you won't necessarily move straight into induction.
Losing the plug can mean the latent stage of labour has arrived. This is when the cervix first softens and thins (becomes effaced – the old fashioned term was ripening). It also then stretches (dilates) in preparation for the baby coming down the birth canal.
The cervix generally needs to be dilated to 10 centimeters before it's ready for the baby to pass through. Your cervix can be dilated to a couple of centimeters for a few weeks before delivery. This softening can cause the mucus plug to be dislodged and come out.
Stretch and sweep is used to help start labour and reduce the need for an induction. If it works, you can expect to go into labour within 48 hours. If it does not work, it can be repeated two or three times over the next few days.
Walking. Being upright and gently active may help your baby move down towards your cervix, which encourages it to open, according to this NHS guidance.
Almost all women will have their baby within a week of having a membrane sweep performed. With the membrane sweep success rate being 24%, doctors may repeat the procedure in 36 hours if the woman hasn't gone into labor after the first time having the procedure done.
What should I expect after membrane sweeping? Membrane sweeping does not usually start labor right away. During membrane sweeping, you may feel some cramping like you get during your period. You may feel mild cramps or contractions (muscles of your uterus getting tight) for up to 24 hours afterward.
Our results indicate that membrane sweeping had a success rate of 86.4% in achieving vaginal delivery, consistent with previous studies [12].
Some women describe contractions as strong menstrual cramps. Unlike false labor contractions or Braxton Hicks contractions, true labor contractions don't stop when you change your position or relax. Although they may be uncomfortable, you'll be able to relax between contractions.
You might have some cramps or contractions after a stretch and sweep. You can take paracetamol and have a warm bath if you are in pain. If you're in a lot of pain, call your midwife or doctor. Pay close attention to your baby's movements after you've had a stretch and sweep.
A bloody show usually means labor is coming soon. Some women experience a bloody show weeks before labor and others don't have a bloody show until they are in labor. It's a good indication that your body is getting ready and your baby is in the final stages of development.
As long as the mucus plug discharges after 37 weeks of pregnancy or later and you and your doctor have no concerns, there is nothing specific you need to do after losing the mucus plug. Even if you lose your mucus plug several weeks before delivery, don't worry. Your baby is still protected.
Prostaglandin- A hormone that stimulates labour, prostaglandin can be used as a gel or pessary placed at the neck of your womb. Syntocinon - Given through a drip, syntocinon can kick-start some quite intense contractions so you may want to consider an epidural. It's often done in conjunction with breaking your waters.
The cramping that may occur in the 24 hours after membrane sweeping can make it hard to rest or sleep. This means that you might lose some sleep before actually going into labor.
The procedure takes a few minutes and there is no pain afterwards, usually a little crampiness, a bit like mild period pain. You can have a sweep done at the clinic and can go shopping afterwards!
Membrane sweeping does not usually start labor right away. If you do have membrane sweeping, expect to feel some cramping during the procedure. You might feel mild cramps or contractions for up to 24 hours afterward. You may also have slight spotting (a small amount of bleeding on your underwear) for up to 3 days.
Just over 7 out of 10 women ended up in spontaneous labour with a membrane sweep (723 in 1000). 3 out of 10 women without a membrane sweep had their labour induced (313 women in 1000).
Bloody show before labor is a normal part of pregnancy, so there's no need for treatment. It's a sign that your body is getting ready for labor. But you don't need to go into the hospital immediately after your bloody show, as labor may still be days or even weeks away.
The mucus plug is usually: Clear, off-white or slightly bloody (red, brown or pink) in color. Stringy, sticky and jelly-like in texture. 1 to 2 inches in length.
So, if you're wondering if it's the mucus plug you see or normal vaginal discharge, here's how you can tell: Color. As you read above, the mucus plug is typically clear or off-white, but might appear red, brown, or pink if it mixes with blood in your cervix.