II. Indications
III. Contraindications
IV. Efficacy
- Stimulates Prostaglandin release
- Useful as adjunct in Labor Induction
- Allows for lower overall Oxytocin dose
- Foong (2000) Obstet Gynecol 96:539-42 [PubMed]
- Sweeping membranes after 38 weeks gestation prevents late term pregnancy and induction
- Number Needed to Treat to prevent one induction: 8
- Associated with Relative Risk of pregnancy beyond 41 weeks: 0.59
- Associated with Relative Risk of pregnancy beyond 42 weeks: 0.28
V. Adverse effects
- Unintentional Rupture of Membranes
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Membrane Stripping appears safe even in mothers with positive GBS Culture
- Kabiri (2015) PLos One 10(12):e0145905 [PubMed]
VI. Technique
- Confirm no Placenta Previa on Ultrasound prior to performing Membrane Stripping
- Use sterile exam gloves
- Examining finger inserted into Cervix
- Finger moved in circular fashion inside endocervix
- Press against internal cervical os
- Separates membranes from lower uterine segment