I had an appointment with my midwife today and she suggested that next week they strip my membranes. I'm currently 38 weeks. I looked it up online and feel I know what all it entails but wanted to hear some personal experiences. Did it work for you? Any complications or drawbacks? Is it something you'd suggest? How painful? Thanks!
You ladies have all given me a lot to think about! Thank you so much! I hadn't heard of membrane stripping before this pregnancy and was surprised to hear it mentioned. I'm uncomfortable, but that's to be expected when you're this closeto then end of a pregnancy! My first child was induced because I went about a week late and they were worried she'd 'go' while in there. She had. My second I was a week late because she was breech and they did a planned c-section. Either way I've never gone into 'natural' labor and hope to do just that this time. I too think it's too early to worry about forcing the issue and admit I'm a tad uncomfortable with the idea of even that little bit of intervention since I'm a VBAC. I will consider the membrane stripping only when I'm really late. Thank you again for all of your responses!
I had this done twice - once at 40 weeks and once at 41 weeks - it didn't work at all and I ended up being induced at 42 weeks. It was uncomfortable and strange but not painful. Why are they wanting to do this so early? I would wait ... no need to rush it
good luck!
I had my membranes stripped at 40 weeks with my second child. It did work, I went into labor later that day. But, I know it doesn't always work the first time. I would suggest it if you are ready for the baby to be born, it wasn't really that much more painful than a regular pelvic exam. If I make it to 39 weeks and I'm showing progress, I am going to have it done this time too.
Good luck!
I'm surprised that a midwife would recommend doing this. I'm not sure of your situation, but in general, why not wait to go into labor naturally? Anyway, good luck!
I was 39 weeks and had been having Braxton Hicks contractions for some time. My Dr. did it in his office at my regular Thursday appointment and send my records to the hospital and told me I would have the baby over the weekend. Well....It was mildly uncomfortable but not awful, however, it didn't work. 2 weeks later we had to induce. DD has continued to be both late and stubborn through out her life.
Had that done around that time week 39 or 40, don't quite remember...Mild form of induction, don't remember anything painful about the procedure, had a little bit of cramping afterwards, but that's it. Was pretty useless actually.
I had my membranes stripped at 38 weeks with my first child. My OB was going to be out of the country the week she was due so it was to try to get her delivered while she was still around to deliver. I was already dialated 2 or 3 cm, so I could have had her anytime. I thought it was very painful and was about to crawl off the table backwards. When it was done, and I had mild cramping and bleeding afterwards and then nothing. At my 40 week appt with her nurse practitioner I was dialated to 4 cm but still no labor until the next day which was my due date. I had her the day after. I would not have done it again with my next 2 pregnancies if it had been an option.
A.,
For heaven's sake, why is everyone in such a rush to force the baby into the world early? Did you notice that gestation is supposed to be 40 weeks? That would make you a week early next week, if you are 100% accurate on your estimate of conception. Those membranes are there for a reason! Like picking an unripe apple, you remove the growing baby from the source of nutrients before it is ready. Let Mother Nature take care of this and consider "stripping the membranes" when you are OVERDUE (which is not very likely to happen considering this is your third baby).
Best wishes,
K.
I was due on a Thursday and had my weekly appointment on Wednesday where my doc stripped mine (so the day before I was due). Yes, it is painful for about 30 seconds, but in most cases it will help to onset labor. I had my son on Friday morning. It doesn't work for everyone, but definitely worth trying if you are near or past due. Good luck!
I had my membranes stripped with each of my 4 pregnancies. IT only worked with my last one, and that was because it was done twice within days of each other. Sex after stripping helps also to bring on labor. I am a NICU nurse, and I would much rather see a baby born right before 40 weeks, than wait for 42 weeks. Post-date babies are at much greater risk for complications. I found that stripping of the membranes helped bring on labor if it was time, and didnt' hurt if it wasn't. It just gets your hopes up. I don't recall it being painful, just a little uncomfortable, and by my 4th, not even that. If your doctor does a lot of this, and most do, complications should be minimal, but ask you doctor before the procedure. They should be able to tell you what they see.
Good luck. Your baby is almost here. It will happen before you know it!
R.
I had my membranes stripped before giving birth to my son. Yes, it hurts, although it is nothing compared to labor! However, in my case, it didn't do much. I had my membrane stripped in my 39th week because I was only 1 centimeter dialated, but I did not go into labor for another week and a half, and at that point, I was a wopping 2 centimeters dialated. So in my experience it didn't accomplish anything, but hard to say for sure. I don't think it's dangerous at all, though, so if your doctor is recommending it, you might give it a try.
it doesn't really work unless you are already starting into labor anyway....... don't do it this early. and don't induce labor just because you/they are impatient to get things going-- it introduces SO many paths to intervention that can be avoided if you just wait till the baby is ready!!
it doesn't hurt much, it's like a really gruff vaginal exam, where you're thinking HEY, WHAT are you doing down there!?? but not much worse than that...
Both my children the doctor stripped my membrane. With the second probably not so necessary as I was sort of already in labor. Not comfy. Sort of a not-so-pleasant pap. But nothing more. Not a big deal. Both children were born 24 hours or so later.
I had this suggested to me with my second child - I was 39 weeks and miserable. I thought about it for a second but decided if it wasn't medically necessary why mess with Mother Nature...the baby will come when the baby is ready. I think it's a personal choice that you need to think about and make. Best Wishes!
My daughter is now almost 7 years old, but when I was pregnant with her I had my membranes stripped, it happened in the early afternoon, on Nov 19 and I had her before 3 am Nov 20, it was a little painful but not enough to make me think I wouldn't want the same course of action again if need be. After they stripped them I was in labor almost immediately after leaving the office, it then progressed as the day went on. I would definitely recommend it. = ) Good luck!
I had that done with me second. It did hurt, but I started having contractions that night and had my daughter the next day. I would do it again in a heart beat!
Good luck
K.
Hello, I had that done with my last two children and it really only worked for my second. It does not really hurt just a little uncomfortable. I did ask her to stop before i think she was completely done but no biggie. I did bleed just a little right after and with my last pregnancy i went into labor the next night. I think it works and it is safe. I was too anxious to wait for my due date. Good luck!
I don't think it hurts.....I was close to my due date, but wasn't quite there and my doctor was trying to convince me to induce before he goes out of town that weekend. I kept telling him no, so he stripped my membranes without my knowledge. He just told me he was checking my dilation. Well, my water broke on the way out of his office before I got to the main floor. It felt different, but not painful. I didn't know that was what he did until after the birth.
Good luck.
Hi A.
By the way I love your name. Any ways, I had my membranes stripped with my last baby. He is now 17 mos. and I remember it quite well. I had other mothers tell me they had it done also and they used the words "uncomfortable". I really wish they would have been more honest with me. I don't know how you are but obviously you want to know first hand or you would not have posted the question.
I am going to be honest with you it hurt! It is not anything you can't handle but it does hurt. They claim that it is suppose to "throw" you into labor. I was just one day shy of a week and finally I went into labor myself. Good luck it does hurt but its quick and you will be fine. That same day when I got it done I didn't feel well. Kind of nausea and crampy.
Have a great delivery and God bless you!
I had this done with my second child because I didn't want to be induced (which they had scheduled for the next morning) and they thought I was having a big baby (they were right there, he was 11 lb 1.4 oz). I had my membranes stripped around 5:30pm and was in the hospital by 1-2am in active labor. I must say though I had a lot of prelabor the night before, and I think my son was coming in the next day or two anyway.
It's a very quick procedure but does hurt like the dickens when they do it. I guess you could sort of compare it to removing a band-aid from a hairy portion of your skin. You yelp cause it hurt so much, but then it's over and their is no more pain.
Good luck!
K. (mother of three, two boys and a girl, audiologist, doula, crafter, minor event planner...)
they did that to me with my daughter. it felt like a sharp pinch. i went home and got out of the cr & started having alot of pressure and cramps, o called the ob & she said to go to the hospital, 5 hours later my daughter was born. everyone's body is different, so it might not work as fast for you or it could work faster, my advice, pack your hospital bag with you just incase.
I was 2 days away from a 'forced' induction b/c my girl was late -- the midwife did the stripping in the office at around 3pm, I started contractions around 6pm, went into the hospital around 11pm, and had my sweet baby girl at 1:00am. Not bad, eh? :0)
If you're faced with an induction, go for it! Otherwise, I'd wait until baby comes, just to be sure that baby is ready.
