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.