How Early Will a Doctor Strip Your Membranes?

I had mine stripped and it was very uncomfortable and did hurt but it was worth it! I was a few days overdue and was happy to have it done. I started uncomfortable contractions that night. After not having her by the next day. I stayed on my feet all day cooking up a storm and cleaning the house letting gravity take it's toll. I said I'm having this baby tonight!!! I was so done with being pregnant! Sure enough 6:21am that next morning we said hello to her!

What is up with all these Dr.'s not asking or even telling?! I feel for all you girls. My midwife discussed it with me and we thought that would be the best route. I had never even heard of it before then. While she was doing it she was saying how I would probably be swearing at her that night. She was right! I would certainly do it again especially when you are down to the last leg of your pregnancy.

It hurt me too and it was very uncomfortable afterwards. The doctor did mine during my last visit.. i was 2 days late and getting impatient so she said she could "move things along" the next morning i was in labor and had her that night. C section as she was stubborn - she was face up and wouldn't turn.

My doctor did mine at about 39 weeks. I wasn't thinning much or dilating and she said it would help my body know to start. It was pretty uncomfortable, didn't really "hurt" but I did bleed some for a an hour or two. It didn't really help me either because my son was two weeks late. I had to be induced!
I would suggest that you just talk with your doctor and the pro's and con's and decide if you think it will be right for you!

Good luck!

It hurt like heck when my doctor stripped my membranes at 38 weeks (he thought the baby was getting too big) AND he didn't warn me that he was going to do it. It didn't move anything along either. I made it clear at the next visit that it was really painful and uncomfortable and if he was going to do it again to please tell me. He worked with me on the second time and it was only slightly uncomfortable. It still didn't move anything along though lol! My daughter came when she was ready--two days before her due date.

My dr. did it b/c I was at due date and not that dilated, etc. Not sure of exact numbers...but anyway, it hurt but wasn't too painful. It didn't do anything though b/c my son was still 6 days late. It doesn't necessarily mean you will give birth right after, just MAY help move things along...in my case it didn't...
Good luck!

My doctor did a little I think around 38 weeks or so with my first. It didn't hurt me at all (she said it shouldn't hurt or cause labor if done correctly, just helps your body decide to start getting ready). He was born three days after my due date, but I also had to be induced after I started leaking fluid.

I carried for 2 more weeks after my OB stripped my membranes at 36 weeks or so without my knowledge or consent.
It hurt a lot and as I mentioned, did nothing to speed labor along. I carried for 2 weeks+ after the fact even after losing my mucus plug that afternoon after the exam.
The baby will come when it's done growing and ready to be born :)

My doctor stripped my membranes at 38 weeks (he did tell me I had to be at least a little bit dialated) it was at like 9am and my water broke the next morning at 6am. I went to Lamaze right after my apt and told her my doctor had just stripped my membranes and she told me that if I really wanted it to be effective she told me to have sex.... and sure enough the next day we had our baby!! I don't feel like it "hurt" as much as it felt uncomfortable, just like every pelvic examine during pregnancy....plus it was really quick....:)

According to my doctor, stripping membranes will only work if you are already 2-3 cm dilated, it isn't a matter of weeks. Doing it any earlier will only add to your discomfort, and is unlikely to do any good. I had it done with both of my pregnancies. It was very uncomfortable (painful!), and in both cases, I was still pregnant a week later when I went in for my next OB appointment - so for me, absolutely not worth it. I won't do it if I have a third pregnancy.

With my 1st I was 4 cm dilated and I had it done early in the morning like about 10 and I went into that later that day she was born at 9 that night. This was on my due date and I believe that is why he did it. My Dr didn't warn me and it hurt.

Mine didn't hurt at all, but it didn't help a ton either!

After being on bed rest for months with a delicate pregnancy, I requested my doc do the strip when we finally made it to 39 weeks. Hurt like a SOB and I still carried for another week until I asked to be induced. So, for me it was totally NOT worth it!

My doctor offered to strip mine last week at my 39 week appointment. It didn't hurt, just felt a little uncomfortable like a normal internal check does. That night I started having contractions and they continued for about 3 days but they were very random. They could be about 7 minutes apart for an hour and then jump to 40 minutes apart for 2 hours and then 10 minutes apart for another hour. Still no baby but I'm hoping that they at least caused be to dilate past a 3 (I've been dilated to "almost 3" for a couple weeks now... Very frustrating).

My doctor wouldn't strip mine unless I was dilate. She did it when she was checking to see if I was/ how dilated I was at my 38 week appointment. I didn't even realize she had done it. I was pain free to me. I had my son 24 hours later. So for me it did worked and didn't hurt.

I'm pregnant with number four and I've never had a doctor do that, or offer to do it. My first two were induced at 40 weeks. My third was induced at 38 due to high blood pressure and warning signs for pre-clampsia. I am 38 weeks and 4 days right now. I've had two different OB's and neither seemed to use that method.

Good luck - I am right there with you! :)