What care is recommended?

• A stretch and sweep is a procedure used to try to start a natural labour. It is sometimes called sweeping or stripping the membranes.
• It is usually offered to women who are close to or past their due date.
• It will not be offered if:
• your placenta is low
• your baby is not head down
• your waters have broken
• you have a vaginal infection.

What does it involve?

1. Your doctor or midwife will carry out a vaginal examination and feel for the position of your cervix (the lower part of the womb) to check if it is opening.
2. They will gently insert a gloved finger into your cervix and 'stretch' it and 'sweep' their finger around the inside of the opening. This separates some of the membranes away from the wall of the womb.
3. This releases a hormone called prostaglandin, which helps labour start.
4. You might feel some discomfort, but lubricating gel is used to help.

What should I expect afterwards?

• You may notice a 'show' – a mucus plug that is usually clear, but may have some blood in it. This is normal. Your body will continue to make this clear mucous, and you may notice more of it once you go into labour.
• If you have fresh bleeding or feel worried, call the hospital. You may need to come in for assessment.
• You might feel tightening or contractions in the following hours. This is a result of the prostaglandin being released and is a good sign that labour might start soon.