#MEMBRANE SWEEP AT 38 WEEKS FULL#

In a 2014 study published by the Journal of Clinical Gynecology and Obstetrics, researchers concluded, 'Sweeping of the membranes at term is safe and reduces the incidence of post-date gestation.' So, is there any reason to skip a membrane sweep? Is membrane sweeping safe?Īs long as your pregnancy is considered normal, you likely have nothing to worry about. They'll make a circular, or 'sweeping,' movement with the finger to separate the amniotic sac from the sides of the uterus near the cervix. Your healthcare provider will insert a gloved finger into your vagina and then into the cervix. Not unlike a standard examination, you'll hop onto the exam table and assume the position (you know the one).

#MEMBRANE SWEEP AT 38 WEEKS FULL#

If you're not sure what the process entails or if it's safe, keep reading for a full rundown of this technique and whether it's right for you. I had it during both of my pregnancies, and both times I was in labor a few blissfully short days later. Membrane sweep is a method health care practitioners use to naturally and 'gently' trigger labor in a normal, full-term pregnancy. Real talk: You also feel like you're going to pop, so you may be super-receptive to the idea of membrane sweeping when your doctor mentions it. You'll inevitably be a little nervous about childbirth because, hello, it's a big deal! But, mostly, you're looking forward to laying your eyes on your baby for the first time. By the time you hit 39 weeks in your pregnancy - a milestone known to expectant people as full-term - you're beyond ready to meet your little one.

Membrane sweep at 38 weeks