Inducing labor occurs when a healthcare provider starts or speeds up labor with medications or other methods. Membrane sweep and cervical check are two procedures performed on women during labor.
The key difference between membrane sweep and cervical check is their purpose. A membrane sweep is performed during labor, where the healthcare provider sweeps a gloved finger across the membranes connecting the amniotic sac to the uterine wall to initiate or encourage labor progression. A cervical check is a procedure done during pregnancy or labor to assess the state of the cervix.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Membrane Sweep
3. What is a Cervical Check
4. Similarities – Membrane Sweep and Cervical Check
5. Membrane Sweep vs Cervical Check in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Membrane Sweep vs Cervical Check
7. FAQ – Membrane Sweep and Cervical Check
What is a Membrane Sweep?
A membrane sweep involves the separation of amniotic membranes from the uterus by using a gloved finger. This can speed up labor. Membrane sweeps help the body to release chemicals called prostaglandins, which help in softening, thinning and dilating the cervix during labor. This is an optional procedure that healthcare providers perform when pregnant women are near or past their due date. Membrane sweeps are usually done at 39 weeks or later in pregnancy.
It takes only a few minutes for a healthcare provider to strip the membranes during a membrane sweep. Although this procedure involves lower risks, it may have some side effects such as cramping, contractions that are irregular or hard to track, and light vaginal bleeding or spotting.
What is a Cervical Check?
A cervical check is a procedure that tells the healthcare provider the perceived state of the cervix during the time of examination. Healthcare providers usually perform cervical checks each week during the last part of pregnancy, often starting at around 36 weeks. A cervical exam late in pregnancy usually involves evaluating the position of the cervix, the consistency of the cervix, whether the cervix is dilated, whether the cervix has started to efface (thin), and the baby’s station.
Figure 01: Cervical Check
Moreover, when pregnant women agree to a medical induction of labor, having a cervical check to assess the cervix close to the time of induction can be very helpful. This is because this information can help determine the process of the induction, influencing what medical options are recommended by the healthcare provider. Furthermore, some side effects of this procedure involve painful and discomfort, accidental breaking the bag of waters, and stress.
Similarities Between Membrane Sweep and Cervical Check
- Membrane sweep and cervical check are two procedures performed by healthcare providers on women during labor.
- These procedures are very helpful in the medical induction of labor.
- Both can be performed simultaneously during medical induction.
- They have lower risk and minor side effects.
Difference Between Membrane Sweep and Cervical Check
Definition
- A membrane sweep is a procedure that involves the separation of the amniotic membranes from the uterus by using a gloved finger in order to speed up labor.
- A cervical check is a procedure to understand the perceived state of the cervix during the time of examination.
Other Names
- Other names for membrane sweep are cervical sweep, stretch, and sweep.
- Other names for cervical checks are cervical or vaginal examination.
Optional/ Compulsory
- Membrane sweep is an optional procedure.
- Cervical check is a regular and compulsory procedure.
When Is It Performed
- Membrane sweeps are usually performed at 39 weeks or later in pregnancy.
- Cervical check often starts around the last part of the pregnancy or often starts at around 36 weeks.
Advantages
- Membrane sweep helps the body release chemicals called prostaglandins that help softening, thinning and dilating the cervix to prepare people for labor.
- Cervical check helps in evaluating the position of cervix, the consistency of cervix, whether the cervix is dilated, whether the cervix has started to efface (thin), the baby’s station, and to medical induction of labor.
Side Effects
- Some side effects of membrane sweeps are cramping, contractions that are irregular or hard to track, and light vaginal bleeding or spotting.
- Some side effects of cervical checks are pain, discomfort, accidentally breaking the bag of water, stress, etc.
This summarizes the difference between membrane sweep and cervical check.
Summary – Membrane Sweep vs Cervical Check
Membrane sweep and cervical check are two medical procedures performed by healthcare providers on women during labor. Membrane sweep involves the healthcare providers loosening the amniotic sac with their finger in order to speed up labor while cervical check determines the perceived state of the cervix during the time of the examination and checks the health of the reproductive organs. This is the main difference between membrane sweep and cervical check.
FAQ: Membrane Sweep and Cervical Check
1. How long after a membrane sweep does labor start?
- Membrane sweep is generally an effective procedure, especially if performed at 39 weeks. Most women will start labor within 48 hours after a membrane sweep.
2. What are the pros and cons of a membrane sweep?
- Membrane sweep is an effective, drug-free procedure that speeds up labor. However, some people find it painful. They may also feel some cramping, discomfort, and light bleeding.
3. Can a cervix check start labor?
- On its own, a cervical check procedure usually won’t induce labor. It determines the perceived state of the cervix during the time of the examination. However, it is helpful in determining what procedures to be used during the medical induction of labor.
4. Is a cervix check painful?
- For a lot of people, a cervical check is a five-minute procedure that may be slightly uncomfortable and embarrassing, but it is over and done quickly. However, this procedure can have some side effects, including pain, the accidental breaking of the bag of water, and feelings of stress or discouragement.
5. What is the chemical induction of labor?
- Chemical induction of labor involves administering prostaglandins to pregnant women, either in pill form or as a vaginal suppository, to induce labor. The two most common prostaglandins used for this purpose are misoprostol and dinoprostone.
Reference:
1. Should You Have a Membrane Sweep? Cleveland Clinic.
2. Gontcharova, Natalie.Cervix Check: Are Cervix Checks Necessary? The Bump.
Image Courtesy:
1. “202306 Cervical Cancer Screening” By DataBase Center for Life Science (DBCLS) – (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
Leave a Reply