Anyone Had Their Membranes Stripped to Induce Labor?

Hi V.! Congrats on making it this far, only a few more weeks to go! I had my membranes stripped to try and enduce me when I was pregnant with my son. The doctor told me it usually works as long as it is done correctly. She also told me it would be uncomfortable. Well it was very uncomfortable, and I was actually spotting for the remainder of the day. I was nervous about that, but everytime I called the doc or labor and delivery they told me it was normal. The only thing that happened for me was unwanted pain (as if you're not already feeling like that when your about to give birth) and lots of discharge, and I lost my mucas (sp) plug. I guess it works for some women, but it didn't work for me. I had a slow enduction even a few days later, so this might be why the membrane stripping didn't work for me. And I still had to have a C-section. Every woman is different. I hope all goes well with you! Again congrats!

Hello V.,

I had mine stripped on my one and only pregnancy. It was done at around 10am and I was in labor around 8pm. To me the "pain" was more like a bad case of cramps, but it was nothing compaired to the back pain I had during pregnancy. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Just make sure you ask your doctor how their luck is with doing it and ask for someone who has a good track record.

Good luck.
S. R.

I think having your membranes stripped is a relatively benign means of encouraging labor. It can pretty much go either way after that. I had mine stripped and still didn't go into labor for a week, but some go within the next day or so. I don't think it's ever like immediate. Good luck! I feel for you. I'm only at 32 weeks and feel nearly the same! AGH!

I had this done in all 3 of my pregnancies, and it worked in all 3 cases. Now as others have said, it is very uncomfortable. Its like a very bad pelvic exam. I have only ever heard 1 doctor speak negatively about it. Navy doctor I had once at Portsmouth told me that she would not do it because according to her it didnt really help and that in doing such could cause an infection.
So with that said, talk to your doctor, ask them what they think, chances of infection and such and then base your decision on that. Good luck!

I had mine striped with my first child (3 1/2 years ago now). It didn't seem to do anything to help my labor. I still had to me induced a few weeks later. It was very unconfortable, but nothing comparied to labor. The doctor just did it with her finger when she was cheaking my dialation at about 39weeks.

I had my membranes stripped with my first child as it was medically necesssary for her to be born right away and I was trying to forgo the pitocin induction route. I was 38 1/2 weeks pregnant and 3 cm dilated, and the membrane stripping route did nothing for me. It was uncomfortable. In fact, pitocin didn't work for me either- I didn't go into labor until my bag of waters was artificially broken.

A friend of mine, however, had her membranes stripped at 36 weeks because she was tired of being pregnant and it worked for her. However, her baby was 5 lbs 1 oz, VERY jaundice and had to be fed through a syringe for the first 3 weeks because he clearly was not ready to be born at 36 weeks. Given how inexact due dates are and that pregnancies are considered normal anywhere between 40-42 weeks, I would suggest that before you try anything you make sure with your doctor that the baby is a healthy size and well-developed. I know it's tough when you have a little one already and you're so uncomfortable, but it won't be much longer! Hang in there and good luck with whatever you choose to do.

Hi there~
I had mine stripped at 38 weeks and nothing happened! It was a little uncomfortable and i had some spotting for the next 24 hours, but that was it. I was induced 3 days later, but when i got to the hospital that morning, I had already dilated 4cm and had felt no contractions at that point, so needless to say my labor went relatively quickly. I'm not sure if the membrane stripping helped with that or not. Best of luck to you!!!

Yep - it works!! With my middle child I had this done. My water broke and I went into labor about 12 hours later. It also was my second child and just so you know after this, my labor was intense very quickly. I also had only about a 4 hours from the time my water broke until my son was born. Best wishes on the arrival of your new little one.

I am all about some natural labor, so of course I will say, "hang in there, girl! You'll be glad you did!" Check out a prenatal yoga class or get a massage if you haven't already and see how that goes. You may be surprised at the results. If, however, you want to go ahead and speed up the process, stripping is probably the most natural thing a doctor can do. When I had my last child and I was in major labor, ready to push, the doctor stripped my membranes, so my water would break naturally. Otherwise it was a totally natural delivery. It goes by so much quicker the second time, so if you want to have the baby naturally, just hang in there as long as you can, and with a little luck, it'll be over before you know it! Good luck!

I know I'm a little late with my response, but just wanted to offer up my experience as well in case it will help you. I had my membranes stripped but I was almost a week past my due date and clearly ready to deliver. I don't think it would be smart to do before 40 weeks if the pregancy was going normally. Better to let that baby keep growing until he/she is ready to come out on their own! Anyway, it WAS painful but at that point I was ready for anything. My daughter was born 2 days later and when my water broke, I was already 5 cm dilated and 100% effaced - so my labor only took 5 hours! Not sure if the membrane stripping was totally responsible for that, but I know that it helped things along! Good luck to you!

I have had it done. The dr broke my membrane my last pregnancy. They don't use any tools or meds. it is just like getting an exam. It doesn't hurt at all. No side affects. If you have any more questions about feel free to email me. Good luck.

V.,

I did not have this done, but a friend that I work with did. She was 39.5 weeks and only 1 cm dilated, if that. No signs of labor starting any day. They did it, but it did not work. Almost 2 weeks later she had to still be induced with pitocin and something else. She gave birth to an over 9 pound baby.

In my case, I went back for a drs appointment the day before my due date. I was already 3 cm and just simply by her checking me, she accidently tore a hole and my water started leaking. I had to be sent to the hospital so they could start inducing me to bring on contractions.

I guess the thing is, if your body is showing signs of being "ready", the measures they take will work. If it's not ready, nothing short of them hooking you up to an IV is gonna effectively start labor. Hang in there, you are almost done! COngrats on the new baby.

I had mine stripped in my first pregnancy and it didn't work for me. Our son was born two weeks later by my Dr. breaking my water. I wish you the best and Congrats on your soon to be new Baby!

I had it done. It hurt like hell, and didn't do anything. I was still induced the following week with drugs. I know what it is to be in that much pain. Search online to some home ways to induce. Like getting your ankles massaged.

I have with both my children and went into labor 48 hours after each time. it is a little uncomfortable but i think it works really well
S.

I had mine stripped TWICE!!! in the same pregnancy. It hurt like hell, and didn't start my labor. That being said I have heard of it working for other women AFTER their due date. I have not hear of any evidence that it helps prior to term. Best of luck!

I had that done once three weeks before I was due and then again three days before I was due and my sone was still a week late. It didn't work for me. All they do is run a finger around your cervex opening. A little uncomfortable but not painful (well not for me, everyone is different). If your going to have anything done or try anything do it with your dr.s approval or supervision.