Stripping the Membranes - Pacific,WA

My dr. stripped my membrane around 10am, and my water broke at 10pm that night, I gave birth the next evening (with the help of Pitocin since I wasn't progressing fast enough with my water broken). It was my first baby and I was a week overdue. She was also large, 8lbs. 12 oz at birth.

I had my membranes stripped with both pregnancies and it didn't do anything with either of them. The first time I was at least 1 cm dialated and with the second I had my membranes stripped twice and was at least 4 cm dialated.

I was right at 40 weeks with my second when my midwife stripped my membranes. I was about 1.5 cm, 50-70% effaced (can't remember). It took a little less than 48 hrs for labor to kick in. Good luck! I had my October baby 5 years ago (sniff, sniff).

I had my membranes stripped twice. Once at 38 weeks and once a day before my due date. I was 2 cm and 80% effaced. I had no cramping after both times. After the second time i start bleeding during the night, still no contractions. I went in and after an hr i start having contractions and we went from there... So i'm not sure what caused the contractions.

I had my membranes stripped with my first child, but it didn't work for me. I was also 1.5 cm dilated and the baby was engaged. I don't remember how effaced I was. I ended up being induced once I was two weeks overdue. But everyone's body is different and every pregnancy is different. As my OB stated, "Pregnancy has no memory." I hope your little one comes soon, though. I know those last few weeks seem like an eternity!

It didn't work for me. I ended up being induced and unplanned C. (I was a week overdue with a 10 lb baby too big for my pelvis). I remember it hurt like heck though. good luck. And don't worry that baby will come out of you eventually. Have you tried massage or acupuncture?

My midwife stripped my membranes when I was 11 days past my due date. I started having contractions before I was even out of the office and my daughter was born about 5 hours later. She did say that it doesn't really do much if the woman's body and baby aren't ready for the birth yet. I was 3cm and 80% when she did it I think. I have friends that had it done multiple times before they went into labor.

even though your doctor said it will help you go into labor, it only helps if your body is ready. My doctor did it once a week for 3 weeks and yes I was dialated but I guess she (baby) wasn't ready. She did eventually come and naturally. Try walking and relaxing with a hot/warm bath. And sex helps too.

It worked for me with both my kids but with my youngest, I had it done twice, two days apart. My suggestion is to ask your doctor to do it again in a day or two, and then WALK!!!! It was the walking immediately afterward that seemed to really bring on the contractions. If they don't start up, give it another few days and try again. If the weather is crappy, head to the mall for a marathon mall-walk! For me, contractions started a couple hours later, but eased up when I stopped walking. I thought nothing was going to happen but when I got up the next morning and started moving around, they started up strong again. My son was born at 3:00 in the afternoon. Good luck!

I had my membranes stripped (I was 40 weeks & 2 days pregnant) at 10 am & started mild contractions at around 3 pm. I was contracting from then on (with contractions getting progressively longer & more intense) until I delievered my daughter at 9 am the next day. The stripping of the membranes releases prostaglandins & may induce labor, but it doesn't work for everyone. Maybe it's your body's way of telling you the baby is not ready to be born yet. The new guidelines strongly suggest not inducing prior to 39 weeks unless there is a valid medical reason to do so (mother's hypertension, baby in distress, etc.).

Hi S.!
I had it done with my 4th child. The procedure was done about 1 in the afternoon and at 2:30am I woke up to pee. Had showing on the tissue and contractions started withing the next half hour. She was born at 10:01am.

Hi S.,

With my first, he stripped them on a Wednesday and I had him on Sunday. My second it was mid-week and then I had him on a Monday. My last it seems that it was about the same amount of time. I was also told my a very old lady...old wives tale....to drink Raspberry leaf tea (can find it in the tea section). Not sure if it was the reason or not, but started drinking that on a Sunday and had my daughter on Wednesday. :)

With both of my kids I had my membranes stripped about 1 wk before they came. For my second kid there was no significant progress a week later so they stripped them again. I was back at the hospital 3 hrs later. Within 6 hrs I had delivered my boy. i was blessed with short labors, even if he was overdue.

I had my membranes stripped twice with my daughter and once with my son. I never had any cramping or anything exciting as in baby arrival afterwards. Some say it doesn't do anything and others say it helps prevent you from going over your due date. All I know is that I was 2 days before due date with my first and 5 days before D day with #2. With my daughter I was 3 cm and 100% effaced and with my son 1 cm and 75% effaced.

They stripped my membrane at 38 weeks, 39 weeks, 40, 41, and induced labor at 42. The procedure does not cause labor, it can just help things along a little if it is already time.

I had it done on 3 separate visits to the dr. office (38 wks, 39 and then 40) and finally worked on the 3rd time. By then I was 3 CM and 90% or something like that. I started having very mild contrations that afternoon and went into fully labor that night. What my doctor said is that if your body is ready to go into labor anyway this can help get things going but if your body isn't ready then it probably won't do anything. Which turned out to be true for me. Good luck!!!!

I had my membranes stripped with both my kids. The first I was 3-4 cm, I was 39 weeks. The procedure took place Tuesday afternoon and my water started leaking Wednesday evening, he was born Thursday afternoon. The second I was also 3-4 cm and 39 weeks. The procedure took place Wednesday morning by night time I was spotting and labor started at 2:45am Thursday, she was born at 5:06 am that same day. Quick and easy delivery. It all depends on your body on how long it takes. Congrats and let nature takes it course.

Hi S.,

with my 1st daughter, the procedure didn't work. with my 2nd daughter, the ob did the procedure on a wednesday and my water broke sunday morning.

best of luck to you.

J.

Hi!

I also had my membranes stripped with my second son. I was 38 weeks, 2-3 cm dilated and 50% effaced at the time. My doctor told me that it should start delivery within 48 hours and it did. I had the stripping done in the afternoon on a Tuesday and my son was born at 6:22 am the next Thursday. I did not have any negative side effects from it either. Hope you go into labor soon! :)

Stripping never worked for me. I have 4 kids with my last being 15 months. I received the best advice with him. Someone recommended the castor oil but not in the typical fashion. The recommendation was a teaspoon in the morning and a teaspoon at night. The plan is start some contractions slowly and hope the body kicks in. With my first I took half a bottle and had a massive amount of loose bowels and then it just STOPPED!I followed the advice this time and after my first day I started having little contractions. Went for a walk , took a bath....delivered at 2:30 a.m. after 1 hour of labor. Coincidental? Who knows but worth a try. Good luck.

I had my membranes stripped at 38 weeks also. I had it done on Tuesday, I believe, and went into labor Friday. I was barely dialated enough for her to do the procedure, but she managed to do it.

Hey S.!

I think it really depends... You can never know what will happen. My first pregnancy, I was dilated 3 cms, and had my membranes stripped about 10 am. The next morning at 3 am I was in labor. My second pregnancy, I was dilated to 5 and had them stripped, nothing... I had to be induced.

Good luck, and hope it happens soon!!

With my second baby, my doctor stripped my membranes at 39 weeks and then again a week later. The second time was on a Tuesday and then I went into labor on Thursday.

I was told by my midwives that it doesn't do anything unless your body and the baby are ready; it can just help if things are right on the edge. Hang in there! Things will happen before you know it! Happy birthing. :)

Hi S.,

I've had the same experience as Christina. All my 3 were late (Dr. waited till 41st week to strip membranes), and I was not dialated, but effaced (don't remember how much).

Baby #1: Stripped twice (ouch!), first time nothing, second time during afternoon visit, labor got going around midnight
Baby #2: Stripped, nothing happened, was induced
Baby #3: Stripped in afternoon, started labor next morning.

Good luck!!!
S.