What is “stripping” or “sweeping” membranes?
Stripping the membranes is a way of trying to induce labor. The midwife or doctor does an internal exam and while they are assessing the cervix they run a finger around the inside to separate the membranes from where they are attached to the cervix. This is uncomfortable but not terribly painful. This may cause cramping and contractions might begin but if the woman is not in labor within 24 hrs it usually is determined that the procedure did not work.
