Study	Reason for exclusion
Al‐Harmi 2015	Sweeping of membranes was evaluated as an addition to induction of labour with oxytocin, amniotomy or prostaglandins. Quote: "Women were assigned to having their membranes "swept" or "not swept" at the initiation of labor induction"
Bergsjo 1989	Randomised comparison of sweeping of membranes and oxytocin (94 women) versus expectant management with surveillance (94 women) in women with post‐term pregnancy (at or beyond 42 weeks of gestation).
Day 2009	Quote: "A prospective, randomized controlled trial was performed" "who were undergoing labor induction after 34 weeks were screened. Eligible women were randomly assigned to membrane sweeping at the time of labor induction (case) or no sweeping with the first vaginal exam (control)." Intervention commenced at 34 weeks' gestation. Confirmed with author through email 18 April 2017.
Foong 2000	Sweeping of membranes was evaluated as an addition to oxytocin, amniotomy or prostaglandins. Method of concealment of the allocation is unclear. The results of this study suggested that sweeping of membranes during the induction of labour process reduces the risk of caesarean section (8/124 versus 17/124, P = 0.06). This effect was more apparent in nulliparous women who had cervical ripening with prostaglandins (unfavourable cervix) (3/48 versus 12/55, P = 0.01).
Ifnan 2006	Quote: "women admitted for normal delivery requiring induction of labour with singleton live pregnancy" "randomized into two groups for cervical ripening by Foley's catheter ballooning method (group‐A) and by hydrostatic membrane sweeping (group‐B)". Our review defines membrane sweeping as the clinician inserting 1 or 2 fingers into the cervix and detaching the inferior pole of the membranes from the lower uterine segment in a circular motion (Boulvain 2005)
Kaul 2004	This study was excluded as the gestational age of participants was outside the parameters of our review PICO. Quote: "Sixty women with singleton pregnancy and ascertained gestational age between 34 and 38 weeks,Bishop score ‐6 were randomized either to membrane stripping or cerviprime gel instillation."
Laddad 2013	This study was excluded as it uses a mechanical device, intra‐cervical Foley catheter, rather than a digital sweep by a clinician, as defined in the review protocol to facilitate membrane sweeping. Quote: "A randomized, prospective study" "patients at term with a Bishop's score < 3 with various indications for induction were randomly allocated to receive (200 pts) intra‐cervical Foley's catheter or PGE2 gel (200 pts)"
Park 2013	The study examines the effect of concurrent membrane sweeping with dinoprostone. This combination does not satisfy the review protocol.
Park 2015	The study examines the effect of concurrent oxytocin with membrane sweeping. This combination does not satisfy the review protocol.
Shravage 2009	This study contains 2 groups Group 1: membrane sweep + cerviprime Group 2: no sweep + cerviprime The study only examines the effect of membrane sweeping when combined with cerviprime. This combination does not satisfy the review protocol.
Swann 1958	Method of allocation: women had to be allocated to 1 of the following groups: (1) stripping; (2) insertion of the finger in the cervix; (3) vaginal examination. 1 in every 3 women had to be allocated in turn to each group. Despite this schedule (not concealed to the resident in charge) that would have produced balanced groups, 147 women were allocated to membrane stripping, 29 to 'finger control' and 45 to 'Bishop score only'. This major imbalance, together with the inadequate method of randomisation, raises the suspicion of a selection bias. In addition, outcome measures were poorly defined and results difficult to interpret.
Tan 2006	The study examines the effect of membrane sweeping when combined with either dinoprostone pessary or amniotomy, quote: "randomly assigned to receive membrane sweeping or no membrane sweeping at initiation of formal labor induction with either dinoprostone pessary or amniotomy.". This combination does not satisfy the review protocol.