Membrane Stripping

The goal of this interventional study is to evaluate the effectiveness of membrane stripping in cervical ripening compared to double balloon catheter induction. The study population consists of women undergoing labor induction. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Is membrane stripping as effective as double balloon catheter induction in cervical ripening? 2. What is the influence of membrane stripping on the time required for cervical ripening, delivery duration, and maternal and fetal outcomes compared to balloon induction.

The purpose of this clinical trial is to determine whether serial membrane sweeping at term is more effective than no membrane sweeping in promoting spontaneous onset of labor. The primary research question is whether serial membrane sweeping increases the likelihood of birth before gestational age 41+3 with spontaneous onset of labor. A total of 1536 participants will be randomized between gestational age 39+5 and 40+2 to either no membrane sweeping or up to three membrane sweepings performed 2-3 days apart. Researchers will collect data from the electronic medical record and participants will be asked to complete a short daily questionnaire on pregnancy symptoms and, in the intervention group, their experience of membrane sweeping from randomization until birth. All participants will be asked to complete a follow-up questionnaire about their birth experience five weeks postpartum