Term PregnancyEMSTDOLTCHNCT07615946
Effect of Membrane Sweeping at Term on Duration of Onset of Labour at Tertiary Care Hospital (EMSTDOLTCH)
A study testing membrane sweeping and Routine Vaginal examination in people with Term Pregnancy and Labour Induction, run by Kharadar General Hospital at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether membrane sweeping can help start labour naturally and improve delivery outcomes in women with term pregnancy. Membrane sweeping is a simple procedure performed during a vaginal examination in which a healthcare provider gently separates the membranes around the baby… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Term Pregnancy, Labour Induction, Delayed Onset of Labour
- What is being tested?
- membrane sweeping and Routine Vaginal examination
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 214 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 1 Jan 2025to 31 Jan 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Singleton pregnancy.
- Cephalic presentation.
- Gestational age between 38 and 41 weeks.
- Intact fetal membranes.
- Women with uncomplicated term pregnancy.
Who cannot join
- Women unwilling to participate in the study.
- Multiple pregnancies.
- Mal-presentation.
- Placenta previa or placental abruption.
- Previous uterine surgery or previous two cesarean sections.
- Premature rupture of membranes.
Show all 11Show fewer
- Gestational hypertension or diabetes mellitus.
- Severe fetal anomalies.
- Active cervical or genital herpes infection.
- Contraindications to vaginal delivery.
- High-risk pregnancy requiring immediate intervention.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether membrane sweeping can help start labour naturally and improve delivery outcomes in women with term pregnancy. Membrane sweeping is a simple procedure performed during a vaginal examination in which a healthcare provider gently separates the membranes around the baby from the lower part of the uterus. This may help the body release natural hormones that encourage labour to begin.
This study will include pregnant women aged 18 to 45 years with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies between 38 and 41 weeks of gestation. The main questions this study aims to answer are:
Read more
- Does membrane sweeping reduce the time taken for labour to start naturally?
- Does membrane sweeping reduce the need for medical induction of labour and cesarean section?
- Does membrane sweeping improve maternal and newborn outcomes at term pregnancy?
Researchers will compare women who undergo membrane sweeping with women who receive routine care without membrane sweeping to determine whether the procedure improves labour and delivery outcomes.
Participants in the membrane sweeping group will undergo membrane sweeping during routine vaginal examination from 38 weeks of pregnancy until labour starts or until 41 weeks of gestation. Participants in the control group will receive routine antenatal and obstetric care without membrane sweeping. Researchers will record the onset of labour, duration of labour, mode of delivery, and maternal and newborn complications during and after delivery.
Read the detailed description
Labour induction is one of the most common interventions performed in obstetric practice, particularly in women with prolonged or post-term pregnancy. Delayed onset of labour at term pregnancy may increase the risk of maternal and neonatal complications, including cesarean section, fetal distress, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. Membrane sweeping is a simple mechanical technique that may help stimulate the natural onset of labour by promoting the release of endogenous prostaglandins and enhancing cervical ripening.
This randomized controlled trial will be conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kharadar General Hospital, Karachi. The study will aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of membrane sweeping in women with uncomplicated term pregnancy between 38 and 41 weeks of gestation.
A total of 214 pregnant women aged 18 to 45 years with singleton pregnancies and cephalic presentation will be enrolled in the study. Participants will be allocated into two groups. Women in the intervention group will undergo membrane sweeping during routine vaginal examination, while women in the control group will receive routine obstetric care without membrane sweeping.
Membrane sweeping will be performed by the attending obstetrician by inserting one or two gloved fingers through the cervix and gently separating the fetal membranes from the lower uterine segment using a circular sweeping motion. The procedure may be repeated weekly from 38 weeks of gestation until spontaneous labour occurs or until 41 weeks of gestation. Women who do not enter spontaneous labour by 41 weeks may undergo formal induction of labour according to hospital protocol.
The study will assess the duration between intervention and onset of labour, spontaneous onset of labour, need for induction of labour, and mode of delivery. Maternal outcomes including postpartum hemorrhage, premature rupture of membranes, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, and maternal infection will also be evaluated. Neonatal outcomes including low Apgar score, fetal distress, neonatal infection, low birth weight, NICU admission, and neonatal mortality will be recorded.
Data collected during the study will be analyzed to determine whether membrane sweeping is associated with earlier onset of labour, reduced need for induction, lower cesarean section rates, and improved maternal and neonatal outcomes. The findings of this study may help provide evidence regarding the role of membrane sweeping as a safe, low-cost, and effective intervention for management of term pregnancies.
- Being tested
- membrane sweeping, Routine Vaginal examination
- Keywords
- membrane sweeping, term pregnancy, labour induction, spontaneous labour, vaginal delivery, cesarean section, maternal outcome, neonatal outcome, cervical ripening, obstetrics, pregnancy at term, mechanical induction of labour
- Medical subject headings
- Pregnancy, Prolonged
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
membrane sweepingProcedure or surgery
Also called membrane stripping, Cervical Sweeping, Sweeping of membrane
membrane sweeping will be performed by inserting one or two gloved fingers through the cervix and gently separating the fetal membranes from the lower uterine segment using a circular sweeping motion during vaginal examination
Routine Vaginal examinationProcedure or surgery
participants in the control group will receive routine obstetric care and routine vaginal examination without membrane sweeping
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Membrane sweeping group | Experimental | participants in this group will undergo membrane sweeping during routine vaginal examination from 38 weeks of gestation until spontaneous labour occur or until 41 weeks of gestation Receives: Procedure: membrane sweeping |
| No intervention / Active comparator | Active comparator | participants in this group will receive routine obstetric care and routine vaginal examination without membrane sweeping Receives: Procedure: Routine Vaginal examination |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
spontaneous Onset of Labour
number of participants who achieve spontaneous labour without formal induction
Measured: 38 to 41 weeks of gestation
Secondary outcomes (2)
Induction of labour
number of participants requiring pharmacological or surgical induction of labour
Measured: at 41 weeks of gestation
maternal Complication
Assessment of PPH. PROM, meconium stained amniotic fluid and maternal infection
Measured: During labour and with in 24 hours after delivery
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 May 2026
- Study start1 Jan 2025
- Primary completion31 Jan 2026
- Study completion31 Jan 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (11)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Term PregnancyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants will be assigned into two parallel groups. One group will undergo membrane sweeping during routine vaginal examination, while the control group will receive routine obstetric care without membrane sweeping. Maternal and neonatal outcomes, onset and duration of labour, and mode of delivery will be compared between the two groups.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 214 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Kharadar General Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07615946
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- KGH-ERB:2025/012
- Acronym
- EMSTDOLTCH
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 13 May 2026
- Last updated
- 29 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: individual participant data collected during this study ill not be publicly available
Publications
11. Batham SK, Kori A, Sirpurkar MS. Sweeping of the fetal membranes and its effect on duration of pregnancy in low risk cases. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2020;9:2118-21.
10. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Inducing labour. Clinical guideline [CG70]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg70/chapter/4-researchrecommendations (accessed 4th February 2024]. 2008.
9. Blackburn S. Maternal, Fetal, & Neonatal Physiology - A Clinical Perspective. 3rd Edition. Missouri: Saunders Elsevier, 2013.
Boulvain M, Kelly A, Irion O. Intracervical prostaglandins for induction of labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jan 23;2008(1):CD006971. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006971.
PubMed 18254122Tan PC, Khine PP, Sabdin NH, Vallikkannu N, Sulaiman S. Effect of membrane sweeping on cervical length by transvaginal ultrasonography and impact of cervical shortening on cesarean delivery. J Ultrasound Med. 2011 Feb;30(2):227-33. doi: 10.7863/jum.2011.30.2.227.
PubMed 21266561Zamzami TY, Al Senani NS. The Efficacy of Membrane Sweeping at Term and Effect on the Duration of Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Clin Gynecol Obstet. 2014;3(1):30-34.
World Health Organization. WHO recommendations for induction of labour. Available from: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/ 10665/44531/1/ 9789241501156_eng.pdf (accessed 4th February 2024).
Bakker JJH, van der Goes BY, Pel M, Mol BW, van der Post JA. Morning versus evening induction of labour for improving outcomes. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 2. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007707]
Finucane EM, Murphy DJ, Biesty LM, Gyte GM, Cotter AM, Ryan EM, Boulvain M, Devane D. Membrane sweeping for induction of labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Feb 27;2(2):CD000451. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000451.pub3.
PubMed 32103497Pirzada H, Shabir R, Ehsan A, Tahir N, Saifuddin Z, Fatima A. Sweeping of membranes for induction of labour in low-risk term pregnancy. Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal. 2022;72(2):658-661
Ali A, Iqbal S, Rashid T. The effectiveness of membrane sweeping at term and clinical effects on duration of pregnancy. Annals of KEMU. 2021;27(2):223-227.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 29 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Membrane Sweeping at Term on Duration of Onset of Labour at Tertiary Care Hospital (EMSTDOLTCH)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07615946
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- EMSTDOLTCH / KGH-ERB:2025/012
- Keywords
- membrane sweeping, term pregnancy, labour induction, spontaneous labour, vaginal delivery, cesarean section, maternal outcome, neonatal outcome
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 214 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Kharadar General HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jan 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Jan 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 29 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether membrane sweeping can help start labour naturally and improve delivery outcomes in women with term pregnancy. Membrane sweeping is a simple procedure performed during a vaginal examination in which a healthcare provider gently separates the membranes around the baby from the lower part of the uterus. This may help the body release natural hormones that encourage labour to begin.
This study will include pregnant women aged 18 to 45 years with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies between 38 and 41 weeks of gestation. The main questions this study aims to answer are:
- Does membrane sweeping reduce the time taken for labour to start naturally?
- Does membrane sweeping reduce the need for medical induction of labour and cesarean section?
- Does membrane sweeping improve maternal and newborn outcomes at term pregnancy?
Researchers will compare women who undergo membrane sweeping with women who receive routine care without membrane sweeping to determine whether the procedure improves labour and delivery outcomes.
Participants in the membrane sweeping group will undergo membrane sweeping during routine vaginal examination from 38 weeks of pregnancy until labour starts or until 41 weeks of gestation. Participants in the control group will receive routine antenatal and obstetric care without membrane sweeping. Researchers will record the onset of labour, duration of labour, mode of delivery, and maternal and newborn complications during and after delivery.
Detailed description
Labour induction is one of the most common interventions performed in obstetric practice, particularly in women with prolonged or post-term pregnancy. Delayed onset of labour at term pregnancy may increase the risk of maternal and neonatal complications, including cesarean section, fetal distress, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. Membrane sweeping is a simple mechanical technique that may help stimulate the natural onset of labour by promoting the release of endogenous prostaglandins and enhancing cervical ripening.
This randomized controlled trial will be conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kharadar General Hospital, Karachi. The study will aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of membrane sweeping in women with uncomplicated term pregnancy between 38 and 41 weeks of gestation.
A total of 214 pregnant women aged 18 to 45 years with singleton pregnancies and cephalic presentation will be enrolled in the study. Participants will be allocated into two groups. Women in the intervention group will undergo membrane sweeping during routine vaginal examination, while women in the control group will receive routine obstetric care without membrane sweeping.
Membrane sweeping will be performed by the attending obstetrician by inserting one or two gloved fingers through the cervix and gently separating the fetal membranes from the lower uterine segment using a circular sweeping motion. The procedure may be repeated weekly from 38 weeks of gestation until spontaneous labour occurs or until 41 weeks of gestation. Women who do not enter spontaneous labour by 41 weeks may undergo formal induction of labour according to hospital protocol.
The study will assess the duration between intervention and onset of labour, spontaneous onset of labour, need for induction of labour, and mode of delivery. Maternal outcomes including postpartum hemorrhage, premature rupture of membranes, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, and maternal infection will also be evaluated. Neonatal outcomes including low Apgar score, fetal distress, neonatal infection, low birth weight, NICU admission, and neonatal mortality will be recorded.
Data collected during the study will be analyzed to determine whether membrane sweeping is associated with earlier onset of labour, reduced need for induction, lower cesarean section rates, and improved maternal and neonatal outcomes. The findings of this study may help provide evidence regarding the role of membrane sweeping as a safe, low-cost, and effective intervention for management of term pregnancies.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be assigned into two parallel groups. One group will undergo membrane sweeping during routine vaginal examination, while the control group will receive routine obstetric care without membrane sweeping. Maternal and neonatal outcomes, onset and duration of labour, and mode of delivery will be compared between the two groups.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Membrane sweeping group | Experimental | Procedure: membrane sweepingparticipants in this group will undergo membrane sweeping during routine vaginal examination from 38 weeks of gestation until spontaneous labour occur or until 41 weeks of gestation |
| No intervention / Active comparator | Active comparator | Procedure: Routine Vaginal examinationparticipants in this group will receive routine obstetric care and routine vaginal examination without membrane sweeping |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Singleton pregnancy.
- Cephalic presentation.
- Gestational age between 38 and 41 weeks.
- Intact fetal membranes.
- Women with uncomplicated term pregnancy.
Key exclusion criteria (11 listed)
- Women unwilling to participate in the study.
- Multiple pregnancies.
- Mal-presentation.
- Placenta previa or placental abruption.
- Previous uterine surgery or previous two cesarean sections.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| membrane sweepingAlso: membrane stripping, Cervical Sweeping, Sweeping of membranemembrane sweeping will be performed by inserting one or two gloved fingers through the cervix and gently separating the fetal membranes from the lower uterine segment using a circular sweeping motion during vaginal examination | Procedure or surgery | Membrane sweeping group |
| Routine Vaginal examinationparticipants in the control group will receive routine obstetric care and routine vaginal examination without membrane sweeping | Procedure or surgery | No intervention / Active comparator |
Primary outcome
spontaneous Onset of Labour
Time frame: 38 to 41 weeks of gestation
number of participants who achieve spontaneous labour without formal induction
2 secondary outcomes
Induction of labour
Time frame: at 41 weeks of gestation
maternal Complication
Time frame: During labour and with in 24 hours after delivery
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 29 May 2026.
- Background11. Batham SK, Kori A, Sirpurkar MS. Sweeping of the fetal membranes and its effect on duration of pregnancy in low risk cases. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2020;9:2118-21.
- Background10. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Inducing labour. Clinical guideline [CG70]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg70/chapter/4-researchrecommendations (accessed 4th February 2024]. 2008.
- Background9. Blackburn S. Maternal, Fetal, & Neonatal Physiology - A Clinical Perspective. 3rd Edition. Missouri: Saunders Elsevier, 2013.
- Background: PubMed 18254122Boulvain M, Kelly A, Irion O. Intracervical prostaglandins for induction of labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jan 23;2008(1):CD006971. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006971.
- Background: PubMed 21266561Tan PC, Khine PP, Sabdin NH, Vallikkannu N, Sulaiman S. Effect of membrane sweeping on cervical length by transvaginal ultrasonography and impact of cervical shortening on cesarean delivery. J Ultrasound Med. 2011 Feb;30(2):227-33. doi: 10.7863/jum.2011.30.2.227.
- BackgroundZamzami TY, Al Senani NS. The Efficacy of Membrane Sweeping at Term and Effect on the Duration of Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Clin Gynecol Obstet. 2014;3(1):30-34.
- BackgroundWorld Health Organization. WHO recommendations for induction of labour. Available from: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/ 10665/44531/1/ 9789241501156_eng.pdf (accessed 4th February 2024).
- BackgroundBakker JJH, van der Goes BY, Pel M, Mol BW, van der Post JA. Morning versus evening induction of labour for improving outcomes. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 2. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007707]
- Background: PubMed 32103497Finucane EM, Murphy DJ, Biesty LM, Gyte GM, Cotter AM, Ryan EM, Boulvain M, Devane D. Membrane sweeping for induction of labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Feb 27;2(2):CD000451. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000451.pub3.
- BackgroundPirzada H, Shabir R, Ehsan A, Tahir N, Saifuddin Z, Fatima A. Sweeping of membranes for induction of labour in low-risk term pregnancy. Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal. 2022;72(2):658-661
- BackgroundAli A, Iqbal S, Rashid T. The effectiveness of membrane sweeping at term and clinical effects on duration of pregnancy. Annals of KEMU. 2021;27(2):223-227.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. individual participant data collected during this study ill not be publicly available
Related trials for Term Pregnancy
Recruiting
Study of the Influence of Intraperitoneal Insufflation of CO2 by Laparoscopy on the Short-term Evolution of Premature Infants With Ulcerative Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Preterm Birth, Enterocolitis, Necrotizing
RecruitingPhase 2/3
A Study in Pediatric Participants With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (Balance-CAH)
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
RecruitingPhase 2
Immunotherapy Using Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes for Patients With Metastatic Cancer
Metastatic Colorectal Cancer, Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
Recruiting
STV Analysis Versus Visual Evaluation of Cardiotocography in FGR
Fetal Growth Retardation
RecruitingPhase 3
Testing the Addition of the Anti-Cancer Drug Tivozanib to Immunotherapy (Pembrolizumab) After Surgery to Remove All Known Sites of Kidney Cancer
Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma, Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing membrane sweeping and Routine Vaginal examination in people with Term Pregnancy and Labour Induction, run by Kharadar General Hospital at 1 site in Pakistan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 11 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
spontaneous Onset of Labour (time frame: 38 to 41 weeks of gestation). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07615946, which also lists 11 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 29 May 2026.