Sex may not work, but sweeping the membranes might

Last week I wrote about a study that suggested sex doesn't get the contractions rolling. This week, however, a study was published that suggests there is something that might work. It's called sweeping or stripping the membranes. To do the procedure, your doctor or midwife will place 1 or 2 fingers through the opening of your cervix and separate the membranes of the amniotic sac from their attachment to the lower part of your uterus. The goal is to trigger a local release of prostaglandins, or the hormones responsible for softening the cervix and stimulating labor. The procedure can be uncomfortable, and often results in period-like cramping, irregular contractions, and sometimes bleeding. (Sex is looking pretty good right now even if it doesn't work, huh?)

In this research, the investigators reviewed 22 studies of nearly 3,000 women and examined labor outcomes. They found that women who had their membranes swept were more likely to give birth before 41 weeks gestation. Further, they found there were no differences in risks of infection for either mother or baby.

The authors concluded that the decision to sweep the membranes needs to be balanced with the discomfort of the procedure. Interestingly, they also suggest that routinely sweeping the membranes does not seem to produce important clinical benefits - although they aren't the ones who've been pregnant for 10 months. Ultimately, this is an important decision to discuss with your health care provider. Meantime, Barry White anyone?