Membrane Stripping? STM question

mairybear

Hey, my midwife offered to strip my membranes at 39 weeks only if I'm dilated enough where she thinks it will help move along labor. Had my DD at 39 weeks so who knows if there's even a point in considering but.. Has anyone done this and was it a fail or a success? Sounds painful so I may not bother and just wait out of fear if my son isn't born yet. I'm 35 weeks 1 day so I am just thinking for 4 weeks from now.

wifetomrb101

I had it done with DD, and I'm pretty sure it worked.  I was 39w 4d and 2cm 80%effaced when my Dr. did it, and told me to get walking.  So I did...I betcha I walked 3 miles over the day.  Slowly of course  the next day my mucous plug came out, early the morning after at 39w6d contrations started and DD came.  It seems to coincidental to say that stripping the membranes may or may not have worked...but really anything can happen once you're that far in pregnancy anyways.

ETA: if my Dr. offers again this time, I'll take it.  

jmjj1310

I had it done, too. But, for me, it didn't move anything along. As far as being painful, it was uncomfortable, but not painful.
If it were offered to me again, I'd agree to it.

shortstuff15

I had it with both at 40 weeks.  With my first it did nothing except give me a few cramps.  I delivered exactly a week later.  With my second it gave me some cramps throughout the day and then I went into actual labour less than 12 hours after my appointment so I would say that it possibly did something, but there really is no way to be sure.  If I get to 40 weeks this time, I'll do it again.  It's uncomfortable and can be slightly painful, but nothing that you won't be able to handle after having had labour already!

jhunter89

From my understanding it's a crap shoot. It can get things going (it's considered 'successful' if labor starts within 24 hours), or you can have it done several times and have it do absolutely nothing. So, it's really up to you. Personally, i'd wait until your actual due date since it's not super comfy, not something i'd like to have done multiple times. 

jessicat2283

I had it done. It worked with my 1st. Went into labor shortly after. I didn't think it was anymore uncomfortable that a cervical check.

growingmybun

I had it done and no dice.  I think that I delivered a week later.

waittilltomorrow

Had it done at 40 weeks and delivered 4 days later.

rowanthefrog

They tried to do it twice when I was pg with DS2 but I wasn't dilated enough for them to do it properly. Nothing happened.

At past my due date they were actually able to do it and I was in labor within 12 hours. So yes, it worked for me when they were really able to do it and I was past my due date.

Docs said it would only work if your body was actually ready to go into labor.

Since I'm trying for VBAC and they will only let me go to 41 weeks, I will have them try at 39 and 40 weeks.

A

RingOfFire11

I had it done (without my consent, which is a whole other conversation) when I was pregnant with DD. It didn't work. However, it DID cause major bleeding. I bled through everything I was wearing before I even got back to work and had no idea my membrane had been stripped. I rushed back to the doctor and was furious to find out what the cause was. It is my understanding that this is not what normally happens but a vessel was hit and I'm a bleeder, obviously. There was no harm to DD or I but it still freaked me out. I will NOT be having it done this time and will voice that demand at every cervical check.

Saltina11

I had DD within 48 hours of getting my membranes stripped at my 40 week appt.

buckeyebride22

They tried with me.  It hurt and all it did was irritate my already irritable uterus. 

Armyratt

I had it with my son at 39 weeks cause that's when I had gone into labor with my first. It didn't start labor until a week later. It didn't hurt it was just really uncomfortable like a cervical check with some more pokes inside.

mairybear

Gotcha. Thanks everyone! Sounds like a crap shoot, may give it a shot.

secret214uWed28879

I had it done with my last pregnancy at 39 weeks and 40 weeks. didn't work the first time. but at my 40 week one I was already having mild contractions and it kicked started my labor. I had it done again with this pregnancy yesterday at my 39 week. and nothing so far. it's uncomfortable but not painful.