Does cervical check induce labor?

So I just had an OB appt at 38+6 and had my cervix checked because I was curious. My doc made it seem like he basically did a membrane sweep and that I could start having contractions soon. I am freaking out. When I was leaving he said “I’ll see you soon. Hopefully not next week.”

Do cervical checks sometimes induce labor? I didn’t feel any pain as he did it, just pressure. Does just sticking your fingers in there that far sorta do a sweep? He said I was 1+ cm dilated and about 50% effaced.