Membranes Stripped

Don't do it! I had it done with my first pregnancy. Not only was it extreamly painful... it didn't help.

Babies generally come when they are ready. Give her a little more time!

I had it done w/both of my daughters. I went into labor the next day w/the first and the same day with the second.

It's uncomfy to have it done but I think it helped.

Good luck and congrats!

When I had my daughter my doctor stripped my membrane and that night I had her. I also had no drugs and natural. Good luck and congratulations.
J.

Hi L.
I had my membranes stripped with my second son at 39 weeks because I was 4 cm dilated already. About an hour after, I started getting contractions which were getting stronger and closer together for about two to three hours, but then everything just stopped. I was so sure it was all happening so it really was quite a disappoinment. I had him one week later, the day after his due date. It doesn't always work and the procedure is a little uncomfortable. I think it only really works if baby is ready to come anyway.
I just have to add I also delivered both my sons naturally, no drugs, because I'm so proud of that. You go girl!!!
Good luck, whatever you decide to do, and congratulations in advance.

I had this done countless times in my 2 two pregnancies towards the end. It never put me into labor but I did walk into the hospital both times 100% effaced and dialated to 3-4 depending on who assessed me. I don't think there is any harm in having this done but as you can see from the other responses, it does not necessarily bring about labor.

I had my stripped and it hurt like hell and I still didn't have the baby for another 2 weeks. My midwifw said that it usally doesn't work but it won't hurt the baby or mother so she does it if you really want. I will never do it again!
Blessings with your labor and delivery! I also had an unmedicated natural delivery!!
K.

Had it done with all 3 kids, it didn't hurt, (and shouldn't hurt if done correctly), but it didn't do anything for me... every one is different, all pregnancy's are different. Good Luck! Don't stress about it. Enjoy the baby, they grow sooooo fast!!
L. B.

I had natural/drug free births with both my boys. Had membranes stripped each time. 1st time, didn't hurt a bit, had him the next day. 2nd one, it was a bit uncomfortable (not even close to painful though)but it did nothing. Didn't have him for another 2 weeks. My thoughts are that if the baby is ready to come, this will jump start you! If not, nothing will happen. I say go for it:)

the people I know that have had theirs stripped didn't go into labor, but they do say it is very uncomfortable... in my opinion 38 weeks is too early to worry about it, but then again, I am a home birther.
good luck, it may be worth trying, I'd just be concerned the dr might accidently break your water, then you'd have to be induced...

I'm not sure about having membranes stripped, as I opted out of that intervention. I wanted to applaud you though for delivering your little guy naturally, way to go! I hope your next birth goes as you hope. Additionally, if you live in Troy, I wanted to invite you to check out the moms group I belong to. Here is the website. http://www.momsclubmh.com/index.html We're a newly formed group as of August 2008 and welcome moms from Madison Heights, Hazel Park and Troy. Several moms work part-time and/or have little ones around the same ages as your son...plus we have several newborns and several moms expecting soon. If you ever feel like you need some at-home support, check us out! Good luck with your birth!

Talking to other women, they swear by it. Most people I talked to said they went into labor within 24 hours....my body was quite different. It did absolutely nothing for me. I was dilated to 2 and 100% effaced by 37 weeks. I had my membranes stripped 5 times from then till 40 weeks. I was two days late and went into labor by myself. So, it works for some and not for others. It didn't hurt that bad, it was just a little uncomfortable.

There is no guarantee that this will induce labor and it could be a roller coaster ride for you, especially since you want a drug free birth. My advise, let nature take its course. You don't want to be in a position where they have to start you on pitocin and do tons of interventions to get the baby out. Babies come when they're ready and I'd only do something like that if you're at 42 weeks and the doctor is concerned.

Best wishes!

Had it done- it really hurt- and did nothing.

Have you visited mothering.com? You may find you like that site better than this one.....and will get lots of info on your question and nat. child birth. There are also links to other boards to join- that are more AP/NP leaning than this one....just a thought...
good luck and pm me if you have any questions!

I would say NO. Your baby will come when's it's ready, why rush.

I wouldn't let it come on its own. I had my daughter they told me that she was going to be 8 pounds came out 6pouns 6 1/4 quarter. so I wouldn't go by that. Plus use your gut at 38 weeks you still have two or so weeks before having to worry alot could happen by than. Use your gut do what you feel is best.

I had my membranes stripped prior to our 2nd son's birth. The procedure did induce labor, and he was born 2 1/2 hr later without drugs. He was, and still is an angry person, 38 yrs later. I wish I had let him come when he was ready!

I had it done with my last pregnancy. It didn't hurt that bad. I would say it was very uncomfortable, though. The Dr suggested trying it because it was my due date, and still no baby. I gave birth the next day, but I think that it depends on the person. Personally, I wouldn't do it until your due date because the baby will come when it is ready.

They stripped my membranes with my first daughter. I lost the mucus plug the next day. However, I was induced later that evening. My water never broke though, and they had to break it the day after that (so 48 hours after they stripped the membranes). I know that my cousin had her membranes stripped for one of her children when she was overdo, and it seems like it didn't move things along so they still ended up inducing a week later.

I had mine stripped with both of my babies. The first one was born a week late, so they stripped them hoping to not induce me. I had it done on a thursday afternoon and was at the hospital early friday morning. With my second one, I was dilated to 4 and having no contractions ten days before my due date. My doctor stripped them twice, I left the office about 5:30, and the contractions started about 8:00pm. My daughter was born at 2:44am, only because I had to have the epidural and that slowed things down! Yes, it's not the most comfortable feeling, but I say it does work! And it definitely doesn't hurt as bad as the delivery process! Good luck!

Hello, I have a 6wk old and I also had a drug free delivery with her - congrats on making that commitment - its difficult to do these days a lot of people critize you for not just getting the epidural like the majority do. I passed my due date and they asked if I wanted my membranes stripped and they tried but since my daughter was posterior they couldn't reach to do it. I talked to a few friends that had it done and everyone's experience was different. Some said it was quite painful and produced no results for labor and others it put them into labor within 24hrs. I'm not sure how others will respond to you but there's really no way to know how your body will respond. I think its up to you, if you want to try it if you are ready to have the baby now or if you want to just wait and let him/her come out on their own. I'd recommend waiting until you pass your due date to strip the membranes but that's just my opinion. There is a lot of developing they do in the womb and it occurs much faster there then outside so there is a benefit to keeping the baby in there longer. Good luck!!!

Hi,
I had my membranes stripped 3 times and it didnt work for me. It was very painful and caused a lot of cramping. My b/f also had it done and went into labor that night. It depends on if your baby is ready to come or not. It wont induce labor unless your already ready. So it may speed up the process and it may not. each individual differs.... sorry :( good luck!

hey L. i had it done for four of my daughter and it worked well for me it hurt a little but not as bad as ever body say if you can do drug free birth you can do it

I had my membranes stripped and my doctor didn't warn me that he was going to do it. I about jumped off the table it hurt so bad! It did not work and I was induced a week and a half after my due date. I don't know anyone that has had this done that it has worked on. Good luck with your new little one!