

Between monitoring, you will be encouraged to walk about or use the ‘birthing balls’, as being active can help to encourage labour to start. You will have to stay in hospital if these methods are used, as your baby will need to be monitored more regularly. If the cervix is still not ready for the waters to be broken or you have not started in labour then senior doctors may discuss further management with you, and may suggest a second Prostin® tablet being inserted into the vagina, however this is rare. You will be re-examined 6 hours after the first tablet. It may be deemed appropriate to leave the pessary for up to 30 hours in exceptional cases.Ī tablet called ‘Prostin’® is inserted into the vagina. It will be removed earlier if labour starts or there are any concerns about you or your baby’s wellbeing. It releases the prostaglandin hormone slowly over 24 hours. We use two methods to deliver an artificial version of prostaglandin.Ī pessary known as ‘Propess’® is inserted into the vagina. Prostaglandin is a hormone that is naturally produced by the body.

You will need to attend hospital as an inpatient. If an infection is suspected, your baby may need to be delivered by the quickest possible method. The procedure can be uncomfortable but it should not be painful. A midwife will advise you what you need to do next. You are advised to call the Maternity Assessment Centre at the hospital where you are booked.

The balloon catheter may fall out by itself as your cervix begins to open, if this does not happen it will be removed by a midwife the following day. Bathing, showering, walking and going to the toilet are perfectly safe with the catheter in, but sexual intercourse should be avoided.
#Stretch and sweep vbac free#
You are then free to do everything you would normally do at home. The end of the catheter is then secured to your leg to keep it in place. The pressure should soften and open your cervix enough to start labour or to be able to break the waters around your baby. The catheter stays in place for 24 hours, with the balloon putting gentle pressure on your cervix. It has a balloon near the tip and when it is in place the balloon is filled with a sterile saline (salt water) fluid. The procedure involves a catheter (a soft silicone tube) being inserted into your cervix. Your midwife or doctor will assess if you are suitable for outpatient induction of labour and discuss this with you. An outpatient induction of labour reduces the amount of time you will need to stay in hospital before your labour begins, allows you to stay at home which evidence has shown helps labour to progress as you are in a familiar place and makes the process of induction as close as possible to going into labour naturally This is the only method used for outpatient induction of labour this is because it has minimal side effects and does not need you to be monitored as closely as when using a medical method. Please telephone the Maternity Assessment Unit at the hospital where you are booked if you have any concerns. You will be able to go home following the membrane sweep, but it is important that you monitor your baby’s movements and any bleeding that may occur. A membrane sweep cannot be undertaken if your waters have broken. It will not increase the chance of you or your baby getting an infection. There may be some discomfort or bleeding but it will not cause any harm to you or your baby. This increases the production of hormones called prostaglandins which can encourage labour to start. The procedure involves the doctor or midwife putting two fingers inside your cervix and making a circular sweeping movement to separate the membranes from the cervix. You may be offered a membrane sweep by your community midwife. The timing will be advised by the midwife or doctor responsible for your care.Ī membrane sweep is a vaginal examination that can be carried out at home or at an Antenatal Clinic by either a doctor or midwife. You will also be offered a membrane sweep if induction of labour is being done for medical reasons. This procedure has been shown to increase the chances of labour starting naturally within 48 hours of the procedure and can reduce the need for other methods of induction of labour. Once you have reached your due date, you will be offered a membrane sweep, followed by another at 41 weeks should your pregnancy continue. Membrane Sweep (also known as a stretch and sweep)Ĭomplications and risks of the Cervical Ripening Balloon CatheterĬomplications and risks of a membrane sweep You may need just one or all of these methods. They may sometimes cause contractions to start as well. There are a number of methods used to soften and open the cervix in order to be able to ‘break the waters’ around the baby.
