Labor and Delivery Stripping the Membranes to Induce Labor By Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH LinkedIn Twitter Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH is a professor, author, childbirth and postpartum educator, certified doula, and lactation counselor. Learn about our editorial process Updated on June 14, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Family articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and family healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Brian Levine, MD, MS, FACOG Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD, MS, FACOG Brian Levine, MD, MS, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology as well as in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print KidStock / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What Is Stripping the Membranes? Why It's Used Benefits How It's Done Safety and Risks What Is Stripping the Membranes? Stripping the membranes is a simple technique used by a doctor or midwife to start labor by manually separating the amniotic sac (or membranes) from the uterus. It's usually used when pregnancy is prolonged past term. The technique, which is also called sweeping the membranes, involves placing a gloved finger inside the opening of the cervix and moving the membrane away from the uterus. The goal is not to break the water but to stimulate the prostaglandins in the uterus to trigger labor contractions. Why Membrane Stripping Is Used The stripping of membranes is a technique long used by midwives when a pregnancy is abnormally prolonged. Today, doctors and midwives will recommend the procedure if continuing the pregnancy poses any danger to the baby. Risk of Prolonged Pregnancy to Babies There are growing risks for the baby when a pregnancy approaches 42 weeks. By this stage, the oxygen in the placenta is being rapidly depleted. This can increase the risk of serious fetal complications, including: A steep drop in immune cells (corresponding to an increased risk of infection) Decreased cardiac output (where not enough blood is being pumped through the body) Fetal hypoxemia (where not enough oxygen is being fed to the baby) Limb abnormalities like clubfoot or hip dysplasia Meconium aspiration syndrome (where the infant's first stool, or meconium, is accidentally inhaled into the lungs) Placental insufficiency (where not enough nutrients are being delivered to the baby) Umbilical cord compression Conditions like these can place the baby at an increased risk of illness, disability, and stillbirth. Risks of Prolonged Pregnancy to Mothers About 6% of pregnancies will go beyond 42 weeks. If pregnancy has extended to or beyond the 42-week threshold (294 days), it is deemed a prolonged (or post-term) pregnancy. The risks of a post-term pregnancy for the mother include: Cesarean section Forceps delivery Infection Obstructed labor Perineal damage Postpartum hemorrhage What Is a Past Due Pregnancy? Benefits of Membrane Stripping This technique is primarily used to reduce the incidence of post-term gestation. It has been found to be effective at inducing labor for the majority of women. Effects are not instantaneous and may take several days or a week. Studies show that, on average, women who had their membranes stripped went into labor several days earlier than those in the control group. This procedure is often used before or instead of other induction techniques, particularly for those that may prefer to avoid other more invasive intervention methods or using medications like Pitocin. How Long Does Labor Really Last? How a Membrane Sweep Is Done Depending on the situation, the stripping of membranes may be done all at once or gradually over time. In some cases, your doctor or midwife may strip the membrane a little at a time. In cases of prolonged pregnancy, this may be done every two days. If you're already in the hospital for labor but your labor is moving slowly or stalled, the procedure may also be done. Having your membranes stripped does not cause an immediate reaction and, in some cases, may not induce labor. If this happens, other methods of induction may be needed, including amniotomy (breaking the water) and the artificial hormone Pitocin (oxytocin injection). The procedure itself takes just minutes to perform. It can be mildly painful for a pregnant woman but feels similar to having a pap smear. Note that any sensation in the pelvic area is likely to feel more uncomfortable when you're at or near your due date. Many women will report spotting or bleeding up to three days later. Others may experience mild cramping or have irregular contractions. What Are Contractions? Safety of Stripping Membranes As with many methods of labor induction, the stripping of membranes carries the risk of infection, excessive vaginal bleeding, and the unintended rupture of the amniotic sac. However, the risks are considered relatively small for both the mother and baby if performed by a qualified health professional. In fact, a 2019 review study found no significant difference in the incidence of complications—and that doing so reduced the need for other induction measures. At one time, the procedure was thought to be risky for women with group B strep. However, research shows no adverse effects of membrane sweeping in these patients. In fact, according to a 2011 study from George Washington University, pregnant women who tested positive for GBS had no difference in outcomes after undergoing the procedure than those who didn't. A Word From Verywell This procedure, while it can be uncomfortable, may be an effective, low-risk way to start labor without the use of medicines. So, sweeping the membranes may be appealing to both women and health care providers in cases where labor has not started after the due date. Preparing for Induction of Labor Loading shell for quizzesApp1 vue props component in Globe. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 8 Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. When Pregnancy Goes Past Your Due Date. Hutter D, Kingdom J, Jaeggi E. Causes and mechanisms of intrauterine hypoxia and its impact on the fetal cardiovascular system: a review. Int J Pediatr. 2010;2010:401323. doi:10.1155/2010/401323 Wang M, Fontaine P. Common questions about late-term and postterm pregnancy. Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(3):160-5. Galal M, Symonds I, Murray H, Petraglia F, Smith R. Postterm pregnancy. Facts Views Vis Obgyn. 2012;4(3):175-87. Zamzami. The efficacy of membrane sweeping at term and effect on the duration of pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Gynecol Obstet. Published online 2014. doi:10.14740/jcgo225w American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Labor inductions. Avdiyovski H, Haith-Cooper M, Scally A. Membrane sweeping at term to promote spontaneous labour and reduce the likelihood of a formal induction of labour for postmaturity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2019;39(1):54-62. doi:10.1080/01443615.2018.1467388 Keller J, Ojo L, et al. Membrane sweeping in GBS positive patients: a randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2011;(204)1:S41-S42. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2010.10.086 Additional Reading Boulvain, M.; Stan, D. and Irion, O. " Membrane Sweeping for Induction of Labour." Coch Data Sys Rev. 2010; 1: CD000451. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000451.pub2. Keller, J.; Ojo, L.; Sheth, S. et al. "Membrane Sweeping in GBS Positive Patients: a Randomized Controlled Trial." J ACOG. 2011; 204(Suppl 1): S41-S42. DOI: 10.1016/j.agog.2010.10.086.