Membrane Sweeping in Early Labor and Delivery Outcomes

This is a non-blinded randomized controlled trial. Participants will be recruited at time of presentation to triage for labor evaluation after cervical exam. Patients with a term, singleton pregnancy who present with regular, painful contractions and a Bishop score \< 7 will be recruited to the study. A random number generator will be used to create a list of random binary numbers. If the patient agrees to the study, the random number list will be used to assign the participant to membrane sweeping or no membrane sweeping. Participants assigned to membrane sweeping will have an additional exam during their initial evaluation in which the membranes will be separated from the cervix and lower part of the uterus with a finger inserted into the cervical os. This would be done with at least one rotation counterclockwise and one rotation clockwise. Those not assigned to membrane sweeping will not have an additional exam. Patients will then be managed as per their primary Obstetrics (OB) provider with the exception of no further membrane sweeping throughout the labor course. Participants are only required to participate during initial evaluation and randomization. No extra study visits are required. Due to the nature of the intervention, which requires a provider to perform a procedure, blinding will not be possible for this trial. No therapy will be withheld for any patients. Their labor course will be managed as per their primary provider using standards of care. Non-treatment group is necessary in order to exam the difference of effects between membrane sweeping and no membrane sweeping. Patients will be removed from the study if they chose to withdraw their participation. Participants will resume care as normal regardless of withdrawing study participation.