Question about stripping membranes

melaniedel

My doc said we can do this at week 39 if I am dialated. Does this bring on contractions or cause water to break? Or both? When can you expect to go into labor assuming it works? TIA!

HannahsMom21

From what I've read it can supposadly help jump start labor but doesn't always guarentee it. I have no experience though because when they offered this with my 1st LO I wasn't dialated when they checked and therefore couldn't do the procedure. My water ended up breaking by itself a few days later! It will be your decision though so stand strong if you don't want too many medical interventions (of course if you want to try to jump start then go for it!)

ASaldana85

I had it done 2-3 times with my first LO and it didn't do anything for me. I ended up going over my due date. Its not a for sure labor starter but it can help for some people. I don't really consider it a medical intervention because there are no drugs involved just the doctor helping thin out the membranes.

Cass&Derek

I had it done twice w/DD. Obviously didn't work the 1st time (39 wks), but a week later, had my doc appt at 11, stripped membranes then, labor started around 2 pm and by 4:30 was having 2-3 min contractions.

Ritzy19

Mine were stripped at my 39 week appt.  I had some cramping/spotting and was uncomfortable for days, but DD was still born a day after my EDD.  Everyone is different though.

Linds1224

I had it done twice during my pregnancy with my son .. the first time was a few days before my due date (3cm dilated) and all it did was cause some spotting and cramping for a few hours. The second time I was 5 days overdue (still 3cm dilated) and I went into labour around midnight the next night. I'm sure not sure if it caused me to go into labour or if it was the fact that I was already 7 days late but it's possible. Good luck!

MrsG.060708

I asked about it at my 39 week appt with DD and my Dr said "do you want to go into labor this weekend?" (my appt was on a Friday). I had some cramping that day, but nothing too exciting.

I went into labor Sunday morning (less than 48 hrs after membranes were stripped) and DD was born that night. My water was broken by my Dr when I reached 7 cm.

1plus1equals3

MrsG.060708:

I asked about it at my 39 week appt with DD and my Dr said "do you want to go into labor this weekend?" (my appt was on a Friday). I had some cramping that day, but nothing too exciting.

I went into labor Sunday morning (less than 48 hrs after membranes were stripped) and DD was born that night. My water was broken by my Dr when I reached 7 cm.

Your daughter is soooooo Cute!!!

PigletBunny

It can cause either. With my firstborn, my dr. stripped my membranes at 39 weeks because I had been 4 cm or more for a month. There's nothing to it, I didn't even feel it. My water broke the next morning, and labor started the following afternoon.