This week on the Mommy Labor Nurse podcast we're going to talk about your cervix!

To be more specific, we'll be diving into cervical checks and membrane sweeps. Your cervix is essential to birth and can often be used as an indicator of how "prepped" your body is for labor before labor even starts. Today, you'll learn how cervical checks are done, how to handle them, and general pros and cons during pregnancy and labor. Then, we'll talk about membrane sweeps which involve the cervix and are one of several things you can do to help jump start labor. So, what exactly is a membrane sweep? Here's a hint, it has nothing to do with actual broom sweeping! Keep listening to learn more.

After this episode, you can continue learning with Episode 77 on why it's important to prep your body for labor and EP112 where you'll get tips about prenatal exercise that will serve you during birth and beyond.

Questions covered in this episode:

• What is a cervical check?

• What if you are not dilated or just 1 centimeter dilated?

• How long does the cervical check take?

• What exactly is the provider checking for during the cervical check?

• Are cervical checks painful?

• What tricks can you use to pass the cervical check?

• What is the Bishop Score and how does it work?

• Is the cervical check actually necessary?

• When is the cervical check necessary?

• Can you ask for a cervical check to your provider?

• Can you ask for a cervical check during labor?

• What are the Pros and Cons of cervical checks during pregnancy?

• What is the difference between cervical check and membrane sweep?

• What to expect after the membrane sweep?

• What tips can you use to pass the membrane sweep?

• What happens if a membrane sweep is successful?

• What should you do after a membrane sweep?

• What other options do you have if a membrane sweep isn't successful?