Stripping of the membranes???

mar0409

Was wondering everyone's take on this? I am 38.5 weeks and at my checkups had nothing at all...not even a 1/2 cm! Doctor asked me if I wanted her to strip my membranes??? Looking for some feed back and if any else has had this done, I am so ready this is baby number 4. Also, if it is done, how long til you go into labor? Okay estimates ladies, I know everyone is different!

 

Thanks so much for the feedback!

yesthisiskim

I had my membranes stripped Monday at 38w 2d. So far - nada. I'm really, really hoping it helps get things moving like the OB promised but it's been almost 4 days and my mind keeps playing tricks on me that I'm going into labor.

rondawilliams85

I have never heard of stripping of the membranes...what does the doctor do?Is it painful?

mar0409

Stripping the membranes of a pregnant woman is almost a guaranteed way to bring on labor naturally. Although this method is better left to medical professionals such as a doctor or midwife, a mother can do the process at home as long as she takes certain precautions.

Stripping the membranes is when a midwife, doctor or even the pregnant women inserts two fingers into the vagina and makes a sweeping motion inside the cervix to loosen not only the mucus plug but the bag of water from the uterus.

This procedure is best done when the mother has already started to dilate, or open up. Stripping the membranes when a mother is not dilated may cause discomfort and even pain. So it is much better to do this when the mother is at least 2 cm dilated.

The reason that this procedure is a natural way to induce labor is because removing the mucus plug as well as disrupting the attachment of the bag of water to the uterus will cause the uterus to contract. Often times, once the mucus plug is removed (which is a thick collection of mucus that seals the cervix from anything trying to enter the uterus), labor starts within 3 days.

Read more: https://www.brighthub.com/health/womens-health/articles/16232.aspx#ixzz1HZeWtiI6

Nanna

FWIW, I have a number of friends who had their membranes stripped (some of them had it done more than once at subsequent doctor visits) with prior pregnancies and it did nothing other than hurt like a *** and make them achy and crampy.  It did not bring on labor for any of them, one of them wound up with an infection that required a c-section (it can't be proved it was from the stripping but it's her suspicion and I think she's right on) and NONE of them would ever allow it to be done again.  Personally I would pass.

luvdv8

Lots of OBs have stopped doing it- because like anything else, if you are close enough for a stripping to work then you were going to go on your own. It's uncomfortable and usually left as an option before they start talking induction.

rondawilliams85

OUCH!!Scrapping...no thanks!