If you have reached or passed your due date, your health care provider may suggest sweeping the membranes. This is a somewhat common practice among obstetricians. The purpose is to help bring on labor. Sweeping the membranes is a fairly simple process. It is often done during a vaginal exam when the doctor may also be checking the cervix for ripening. The doctor uses a finger to gently detach the amniotic sac from the wall of the uterus, near the cervix. The worst part for the mother is the discomfort associated with the exam and the stripping of the membranes. … Continue reading →