Advice - Stripping My Membranes

Updated on February 02, 2008
T.H. asks from Glen Carbon, IL
24 answers

I'm 38 weeks pregant and very uncomfortable (obviously). Has anyone had their membranes stripped? Would you advise for or against it? Just curious. Thanks.

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So What Happened?

Thank you all for your great advice. It really helped in my decision to have it done. I have to say it was the most painful thing I had witnessed to date. After it was done, my doctor was checking my vitals and sent me to the hospital thinking I may be working on preeclmpsia. I was and they induced labor on Wednesday morning. After 3 hours of pushing I had a C-section with my 9 lb 1 oz baby boy. We had NO idea he was that big. I'd like to suggest to ANYONE who reads this, get a late pregnancy ultrasound, so you know what you have in there so you can plan for how it is going to come out!!!!!

Thanks again!

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C.S.

answers from Kansas City on

I had it done w/my first one...didn't even know it was done! It's uncomfortable, but really anything is at 38 weeks! My daughter was born the next morning! I would do it again in a heart beat. Good luck!

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B.B.

answers from St. Louis on

I had my membranes stripped when I was about 38 weeks. It is very uncomfortable to have done. I mean, you don't need pain medication or anything, but having anything extra up there is never comfortable. I went into labor the next day. I had my second son the day after (he is such a stubborn boy). Anyway, I think it honestly helped. I wish you the best!!!

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K.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I had it done also and think it is really more helpful when the baby is decended & ready. I had my appt at 1pm (I was 5 days over), my doctor stipped them and by 5pm that evening my water had broke! I think a lot of factors go in to labor starting but in my opinion, it did help me.

Good luck & Congrats on the new baby!

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C.M.

answers from St. Louis on

I had this done with my 2nd. I wasn't beginning to dialate late on like most women do, so my OB just slightly did it. it causes a little bit of bleeding and some cramping, but goes away. My friend was overdue and did it, she cramped pretty hard and did more than just spotting, but she also said her doctor was not very gentle at doing it either. My doctor was a female, and I believe she was more gentle, because of being female. Talk to your doctor about your concerns.....It can be a bit uncomfortable, but not too bad.

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T.S.

answers from Kansas City on

For me, I did go into labor immediately... I would NOT advise this... your body knows when you go into labor. Let Mother Nature take care of your time, of your baby and your body.
Although, I have also heard that stripping the membrane will not jumpstart labor if your body isnt ready.

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B.H.

answers from Kansas City on

i second what renee said. i had it done with my second child at 37-38 weeks and it didn't do anything. the doc told me that it may or may not so i wasn't surprised that it didn't do anything. but i went ahead and let him try just in case and becasue it doesn't hurt anything. so there's no risk to your or baby.

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L.F.

answers from St. Louis on

Yes, during labor. Not a big then, but they said it would help the baby along. At that point, you are willing to do about anything to help the baby out.

Good luck with your new baby and delivery.

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T.C.

answers from Springfield on

I had mine done w/ baby #2. it was pretty painful & did nothing for me. i had to have my water broke to start anything 2wks past my due date. I think it is a 50/50 chance of some action. I would probably have it done again just because it was not extreme pain for me & it might get the ball rolling. Good Luck & Congrats!

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J.C.

answers from Tulsa on

I've had it both ways...the first time it broke on its own & second the doctor broke it...no difference...just a huge relief! Good luck....!

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T.M.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi T., you've already got several good answers. I had mine done a couple days before my due date b/c I didn't want to go over. Went into labor the next night. Only part different w/ me (in comparison to the other responses I skimmed over) is that it DID hurt me when she stripped them. I mean when you think about what they're doing, it makes sense. But to me it was worth it completely b/c I was so ready to have her and everything worked out perfectly. Do what you feel is right :) God will take care of the rest.

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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

My daughter was 2 weeks late. My doctor scheduled me to be induced. However, she mentioned clearing membranes (stripping) around the cervix. He then stated that I would deliver in no more than 2days instead of the 4. This was done at my last OB checkup before delivery. She was right. It seems to not be a big deal. Good Luck.
T. H

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K.S.

answers from Springfield on

I had it done at 38 weeks - I don't really remember it hurting. My doctor did it at my morning appointment and I had my daughter that evening.

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M.H.

answers from Tulsa on

I had it done at 39 weeks. It was pretty uncomfortable..but worth it! I went in to labor 6 hours later. The only thing you might watch for is leaking fluid after that. I don't know if that's what caused it..but had been slowly leaking fluid and didn't know it. I think it was after they stripped my membrane and I had a pad on for the blood. Gross....but it got the job done.

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A.L.

answers from Kansas City on

T.,
I had my membranes stripped about two weeks prior to my due date. I had a Dr's appt and told her how uncomfortable I was, and asked if there was anything I could do to speed up the process. She suggested the stripping and I agreed. Low and behold, I started having contractions in the car on my way home! That was about 2pm-I had my son at 1149pm that evening! If you're ready to have that baby right now, go for it!

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T.M.

answers from Springfield on

Do not do it. Tought it out. Stay strong. Hang in there. Wait for your labor to start... naturally.

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C.M.

answers from Springfield on

hi,i am a mom of 4 and with my oldest,i had it done,it help me,i did it in moning and had her that night,but i got to tell you it realy,realy hurts.hope this helps

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A.S.

answers from Kansas City on

I had my membranes stripped twice. It is pretty uncomfortable and might hurt just a bit. I ended up going into labor at 38.5 weeks... I'm not sure if the stripping did it or not. Like the previous poster said... if you're ready it can help you go into labor, if not, no harm done.

Good luck!

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J.G.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I had mine done and it wasn't the most pleasant thing in the world but it wasn't horrible either. I had it done on a friday and went into labor on sunday. I would go back and do it again if I had the choice. Good luck!!!

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K.S.

answers from St. Louis on

I would highly recommend it. I had it done at 38 weeks and 39 weeks and I felt no discomfort at all.

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H.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I had it done on my 2nd child to see if it would make a difference because I was 2 weeks past the due date and my first child I had to be induced completely. The membrane stripping gave me serious cramps but nothing more than that. I went into labor 15 hours later on my own. I was still induced to speed things along but my water broke and contractiosn started without assistance.

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M.S.

answers from St. Louis on

I'm a mother of a 2 1/2 year old girl and a 1 year old boy and due in June with #3. I've had my membranes stripped with both pregnancies and I won't lie it flippin hurts, but never did anything for me. I would say no if had the option to have it again. Good luck

Melissa

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R.U.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I had it done twice, at 39wks and again at 40wks. The nice thing about it is that if your body isn't ready for labor it won't do anything. If you are ready for labor it's a good way to get things going! HTH!

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A.B.

answers from Kansas City on

It can be very painful, and there is no proof that it works.

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K.G.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi T.,

I had my membranes stripped, but only when I was 1 cm dialated. It was fairly uncomfortable.... and didn't work for me. I finally had to be induced which worked out better for me because they realized the baby was in distress because he had a cord wrappred around his neck. Hope this helps.

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