Stripping of Membranes

just wanted to make one note that there is no real reason that you HAVE to do this... you can wait. due dates are only estimates, and going more than 3 weeks over isnt all that bad, though it might get uncomfy.

its worth putting off if you are nervous about it, especially when you are dialating and effacing already. you can say NO to your doctor if you would rather just wait.

Why would they do that when you are not due yet?

H.~
Stripping the membrae does not hurt, it's not the best thing, but not the worst. I would say don't get your hopes up that this works because I had it done three times with my first and ended up being enduced! I hope you have better luck! Congratulations on the arrival of number 2!
~T. T. :)

I was ready to try anything at 38 weeks (lots of little problems making me a miserable mama) with my second. I had my membranes stripped when I was 3-4cm dilated and 90% effaced. It was quick and it did hurt quite a bit, but as soon as it was done the pain was over. I spotted/had show for about 3 days and had consistent painful contractions 5 minutes apart the following morning, but then nothing happened. I did deliver 5 days later, but I don't know if the membrane stripping had anything to do with it or if it was because I was 39 weeks pregnant and ready to deliver. I do know people that it worked for, though, so best of luck. Just remember the pain is very short lived.

Hello H.,
Although it was several years ago, I had this procedure done during my last pregnancy. I was 2 weeks overdue and needed to get things going. It was not painful at all...didn't even know the doctor did it. It worked, I went into labor that evening. Hope this helps put you at ease. Take care.

I agree with some of the other Moms that wonder why they are doing it. I had mine done with my son because he was measuring bigger than they thought I could handle naturally (9 pounds and I am not very big). I also had been having minor contractions for a week and was exhausted.
It was painful while he was doing it and took about 1 minute (seemed longer). I went into labor within 30 minutes, basically I drove home, picked up my DH and went back to the hospital. My son was born less than 24 hours later. I did natural (no drugs) childbirthing and it was really no worse than that. Oddly enough though, I remember that pain more than birthing pain.
He did tell me that it only helps about 50% of the time. I was fully effaced (sp?) but only dialated to 1 1/2cm. Sometimes I wonder if my labor would have gone faster had it started on its own. I was told that it really doesn't affect how long your labor is just helps start it.
I would really talk to your Dr. and get all the detail before doing it. GOOD LUCK!

I have no personal experience, but have had close friends say it was painful and not necessary. If you are only 38 weeks, what is the reasoning? Also, if in doubt, please say no to your care provider. It can wait a day or a week etc.
You are almost always better off waiting for things to happen naturally.
Good luck and remember, this is your body and your decision, not anyone else's.
J.

I had my membranes stripped twice when I was pregnant with my son. The first time didn't work, probably because it was just not time. About a week later I had it done again and that afternoon I started having slight contractions. I had my son about 6 hours later. I remember it hurting a little, but it wasn't that bad, and it didn't take long at all. Probably less than a minute. I hope that helps. Good luck and I hope it all works out well for you.

Hi H.,
My experience was the same as many women have already mentioned. I had my membranes stripped at 38 weeks. It did not really hurt, but it also did not help induce labor. I had "false" but strong contractions for several days which was very frustrating. My son eventually was born just 1 day earlier than his due date. I wish you the best. I personally found the last two weeks very difficult - both physically and mentally. Hang in there - you will be holding that little one on the outside soon!

H.,
its quick, painful and usually unhelpful.
with my 1st i had is done twice and didn't bother with the 2nd. I'm a labor nurse and i hear from patients all the time about how they had it done and then they think they are going to go into labor soon after and that just isn't the case. i just don't think that it helps. the baby will come when it is ready for life on the outside. ask your doc what they really think of doing it.
congrats and know it will be over soon enough. good luck and be nice to your nurses :>.
M.
to dixie just before this -- the md broke your bag of water to apply the monitor they did not strip the membrane

I had mine stripped it took a about a whole one minute in the office and I went in to have the baby about 6 pm that night. It don't hurt it feels almost like getting your pap test done a little presure and maybe a little scratching like you feel when they take a culture but nothing to worry about. Just be ready to go into labor and have everything ready and plans prepared for the other child.

I agree! Painful and did not help. I had it done several times with my first. It is really quick though. I know at that point in your pregnancy you are anxious and ready to try anything!

I know you have had plenty of responses but just had to throw my two cents in. I think it's pretty obvious when you look at all the responses that stripping membranes is a worthless procedure. It can be terribly painful for some women and mildly uncomfortable for others. It can cause cramping and contractions that lead to nothing. I had it done with both of my kids. I would have refused it with the second, but it was done without asking me during a cervical check. I agree with the posts that say if you don't want it...DON'T HAVE IT DONE! Any contact with the membranes does present an unnecessary risk for infection. I'm surprised that some OB even do it anymore. It seems like a waste of a procedure. I know there are cases where some babies need a little help getting motivate to get "out" but in general...I believe babies come out when they are ready. I had my first 5 days passed my due date and my second 5 days before my due date. I wasn't about to get induced or have anyone messing around in there to get a heathly, low-risk baby to come out any sooner than it wanted to. Good luck and congratulations!

It's pretty quick, but does feel very uncomfortable!!

I had this done with both of my children. All they do is take a --well it almost looks like a knitting needle, and just break up the membranes. It does not hurt at all. There are no nerves in the membranes and so you will feel no pain. For me, I it relieved some pressure because the fluids leaked out and soon enough I had a baby. I promise it will not hurt if done correctly! and it only takes about 10 seconds

It only takes a minute and is uncomfortable, but not what I would call painful. I had it done twice with my first, and it really just depends on your doctor and how aggressive they are when they do it. It didn't do anything to start my labor either time, but it sounds like it may have helped others. It wouldn't hurt to try it and I don't think it would prolong or change your labor...it would just start things going (if your body is ready).

I don't like to scare people, but with my experience my water had broken about 17 hours before that and even with pitocin being pumped into me most of the day my labor was not progressing. So the dr stripped my membranes to put the monitor on my son's head. As soon as he started doing that, my contractions went from nothing at all to constant and intense. It was the worst part of the entire labor/delivery. But my experience was probably unusual. Reading the other responses and knowing that this is planned, it sounds like you will be just fine.

I would find out why they are doing it so soon. I had mine done but I was 4 days overdue. Yes, it did work and I did go into labor the next day. However, it hurt like hell and I would never voluntarily do it again. I still was in very active labor for 13 hours so I really don't think it did all that much. How would I describe it? Think of taking your finger nail and scraping it on the inside of your vagaina really hard.

Sorry to be so graphic but I hate when people try and sugar coat things.

K.

Hi H.~
I had my membranes stripped w/my 2nd baby the day before my due date, and within 24 hours, I went into labor on my own...it didn't hurt any worse then the dr. checking to see how dialated you are...it doesn't take very long at all, mine was done during my OB visit. This was 10 years ago though, not sure if things have changed since :) Good luck!

G. C.

I had it done at 38 weeks as well and it was uncomfortable but not very painful. It is quick - just took a few minutes. Good luck!

I had mine stripped with all of my kids. It isn't very comfortable but it is over pretty quickly. It honestly didn't help speed up any of my labors. Sometimes they even did it more than once per pregnancy and the baby still came when they wanted.

My midwife did that with our 2nd. Did NOT HELP at all. It didn't hurt but I would not do it again. He was born 4 days before his due date (as his sister was a couple years earlier-without the stripping) and he was HUGE. 9# 2oz and I'm small. Before pregnancy I am 5'2" and 110#. So I was extremely uncomfortable and willing to try anything. I even cut our whole lawn (we farm and have a very LARGE yard) with a push mower to get things going. NOTHING. Babies will come when they are ready. Not when we are ready....LOL.

It's completely up to you. But I would not do it again.

I thought it hurt, quite frankly. Not nearly as bad as anything labor throws at you, but it still wasn't pleasant. It doesn't take very long at all, just a quick swipe by your OBGYN. I had mine done at nearly 40 weeks, and still had to be induced a week later, so it doesn't necessarily spell labor. Good luck!

I had mine stripped at 41 weeks 4 days since I was not having any contractions. The procedure takes less than 5 minutes. It is a little uncomfortable and it may cause bleeding or discharge, so bring some pads to wear. In my case, it did not help my labor progress at all. I had about 5 contractions and dilated only 1/2 cm overnight.

I had this done with both my children and it worked beautifully both times, it does not hurt and does not take over a minute to do it...good luck and congrats with your little one!

I had this done at 39 1/2 weeks because I was absolutely miserable and had polyhydramniosis (carrying too much fluid). So, basically at 36 weeks, I was measuring at 42 weeks. I was HUGE and needed something done ASAP. Within a couple of hours I was in active labor and delivered my son about 15 hours after that. This time around (due in late September), I scheduled an appointment with my doctor at 39 1/2 weeks again so just in case, I can have her strip my membranes again. I thought it felt about the same as a pelvic exam to check for dilation. - S.

I had mine stripped twice, with my first pregnancy my son was born the next day, labor starting the following morning (about 16 hours afterwards) No pain, didn't realize really what the doctor had done. The second time was with my third child, didn't hurt, she was born 6 hours later. I was thrilled. If you have concerns about this, you should consult your doctor.