Membrane Sweeping in Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Positive Patients

Sweeping or stripping of the membranes (in this paper referred to as "membrane sweeping") is a widely utilized technique to hasten delivery for women at 37+ weeks gestation. The process of membrane sweeping probably causes release of prostaglandins from the decidua and the cervix. The efficacy of membrane sweeping is well studied, and has been shown to increase the number of patients in labor within 72 hours, reduce the frequency of pregnancy continuing beyond 41 or 42 weeks, and reduce the frequency of formal induction of labor. Thus, it is a safe and practical option for women who wish to avoid inductions of labor or postterm pregnancies.

Group B streptococcus (GBS; streptococcus agalactiae) is a gram positive coccus that frequently colonizes the human genital tract. In pregnant women, GBS can cause urinary tract infections, chorioamnionitis, and postpartum endometritis. Newborn infants can also acquire GBS infection during passage through the vagina. Early onset GBS disease in the newborn can lead to pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis, all of which can be life-threatening. Early onset GBS disease has become rare since the widespread use of GBS screening and prophylactic treatment of pregnant women.

The relationship between early onset GBS disease and sweeping of the membranes is not known. Based on the theoretical increased risk of bacterial seeding after membrane sweeping, as well as concern for fast labors and inadequate treatment after membrane sweeping, some practitioners choose not to sweep membranes in GBS positive patients. A meta-analysis did not show a difference in neonatal or maternal infection rates between women who underwent membrane sweeping and those who did not. ACOG guidelines state "the risks of membrane stripping in GBS positive patients has not been investigated in well-designed, prospective studies. Therefore, data are insufficient to encourage or discourage this practice".

Specific Aims:

In order to help elucidate the effect of membrane sweeping in GBS positive patients, the investigators propose this prospective randomized trial. The investigators primary objective is to determine whether membrane sweeping in GBS positive women is associated with inadequate antibiotic treatment in labor (defined as less than four hours of antibiotic therapy prior to delivery). The investigators secondary objectives are to measure the effect of membrane sweeping on pregnancy duration, length of labor and adverse events potentially related to membrane sweeping such as maternal chorioamnionitis and neonatal morbidity. Randomization is the real research portion of this study, since offering membrane sweeping is already the standard of care. Patients are followed until the time of delivery, which is within 6 weeks of enrollment for most women.