What do to after a sweep to bring on labour
Becca Inglis
WriterOld wives' tales talk about all sorts of natural ways to induce labour – but do any of them work? We investigate what you can do after a sweep to bring on labour
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A membrane sweep is typically performed at 40 weeks of pregnancy, to help kickstart labour.
It involves a midwife inserting their fingers into the cervix, and moving round in a sweeping motion. This separates the cervix from the sac containing amniotic fluid that surrounds your baby. This, in turn, stimulates the production of hormones that can start labour.
What to do after a membrane sweep
In the majority of cases, you won’t need to do anything after a membrane sweep to bring on labour. Most women go into labour 48 hours after a membrane sweep, according to Cleveland Clinic.
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Once you've had your sweep, keep an eye on how your body is feeling for any signs of labour starting. The NHS lists these telltale signs:
- Contractions or tightenings
- Spotting (if you notice heavy bleeding, however, you should tell your midwife or GP immediately)
- Losing your mucus plug (bloody show)
- Backache
- An urge to go to the toilet
- Waters breaking
If you notice these signs, call your midwife asap! It's particularly important to call if your waters have broken, you notice any bleeding, or your baby is moving less than normal, as these could all be signs that you need medical help sooner rather than later.
Aside from that, though, there's nothing particular that you need to do. Just try to relax and be kind to yourself. You'll be meeting your baby any day now!
However, if you feel like you're going mad and just want to try something, there are a few options...
What are the natural ways to bring on labour?
While a membrane sweep usually helps to bring labour on, there is no guarantee that it will work. If you have had a membrane sweep but haven’t felt any changes, there are a few natural ways to induce labour that you might want to try.
In general, the NHS does not recommend these natural ways to induce labour, as there is not enough clinical evidence that they work. However, in most cases they will not harm you or your baby, so may be worth a shot if you are feeling impatient for labour to start.
If you do decide to try one of these natural methods, make sure to speak with your GP or midwife first. Do not attempt to induce labour before 40 weeks, as that can be dangerous for your baby.
Nipple stimulation
According to the NCT, breast and nipple stimulation can increase the production of oxytocin in your body.
Oxytocin is the hormone that causes contractions during labour, so the theory goes that breast stimulation will also help to bring on labour.
Research has found that pregnant women who massaged their breasts three times a day for 15 minutes from 38 weeks were more likely to go into spontaneous labour without being medically induced.
The study also says that even if massaging your breasts does not induce labour, it can increase the likelihood that you will have a vaginal birth without needing a caesarean.
Sex to induce labour
Oxytocin is also known as the “love hormone”, because your body releases it when you have sex. For this reason, some people say that having sex may help to bring on contractions.
Semen also contains prostaglandins, a chemical that may help to soften your cervix and relax its muscles, according to the NCT.
Your body naturally releases prostaglandins when you go into labour, or your doctor may give you a synthetic version as a pessary to medically induce the birth.
The NHS says that having sex during pregnancy is usually perfectly safe, though you should avoid it if your waters have broken, as it can risk infection.
You may also find that sex is too uncomfortable when you are about to give birth, especially if you are experiencing vaginal or pelvic pain.
Walking
Being upright and gently active may help your baby move down towards your cervix, which encourages it to open, according to this NHS guidance.
It is possible that walking could have the same effect. This study found that walking could reduce the likelihood of a caesarean and the need for medical induction, though more research is needed to confirm this.
One benefit that the NHS says walking does have is as a natural pain reliever. Gentle exercise releases endorphins in your body, which can help relieve some of the discomfort once your contractions start.
Raspberry leaf tea
Many women drink raspberry leaf tea in their third trimester, because they believe it can help to tone the uterus. This would help with contractions when you go into labour.
But clinical evidence that raspberry leaf tea works is very limited, according to this study. We do not know if drinking it has any significant effect at all on your pregnancy.
Any adverse effects from raspberry leaf tea on your pregnancy lack evidence too, the study says, so it is likely that you can drink it safely if you want to. But it's best to limit all herbal tea in pregnancy to no more than a few cups a day, to be on the safe side.
Warm baths
While NICE says that there is no evidence that warm baths will bring on contractions, having a soak could help you to reduce your aches and pains once labour starts.
If you do decide to take a bath once your contractions start, just be sure not to have the water too hot as this can be bad for your baby.
Acupuncture
Some people recommend acupuncture as a way of inducing labour, as it is believed to stimulate the production of both oxytocin and prostaglandins.
However, the NHS says that there is not enough clinical evidence to support acupuncture’s use in labour.
While it probably does not induce labour, this analysis of NHS data has found some potential benefits of acupuncture. Having acupuncture may make it less likely that you will need to be medically induced or require a caesarean. But more research is needed to prove this.
Any methods I should avoid?
Homeopathy
Cimicifuga and caulophyllum are two of the most common homeopathic remedies offered to induce labour, as practitioners believe that they can help to stimulate and moderate regular uterine contractions.
However, there is insufficient evidence to support this theory, and NICE advises against using homeopathy to induce labour. So it's best to give it a miss.
Castor oil
Castor oil is a laxative, and is thought to trigger uterine contractions as a side effect. However, research into its effectiveness is inconclusive, and the NHS does not recommend using it to induce labour.
So it's best to avoid using castor oil because it can cause diarrhoea and false contractions, which make going into labour more uncomfortable.
Enemas
Enemas have been given to women because some believe that they would make more room for the baby to be born, and shorten the time it takes to give birth.
But research has shown that enemas do not significantly impact how long labour takes, and can be more of a source of discomfort. The NHS does not recommend using enemas to induce labour.
Proven ways to bring on labour
The NHS says that if your membrane sweep does not work, you will be offered the option of having your labour medically induced.
This usually involves inserting a pessary or gel into your vagina. These can take a while to work, so try not to worry if you don’t start having contractions straight away.
If you have had a tablet or gel, and your contractions do not start after six hours, you may be offered another tablet or gel.
If you have had a pessary, and your contractions do not start after 24 hours, you may be given a second dose.
Your doctor or midwife will explain all your options, and help you make the decision that's right for you.
Wondering what else you should know as you prepare to give birth? Read our other articles below, or ask women who've been there about what to expect in the forum:
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