Can't decide, to strip or not to strip?

lcourter24

OK here is my question...I had a cervical leep 8 years ago.  My dr has mentioned that sometimes scar tissue can keep you from dilating during early labor.  He has told me that if I want he can strip my membranes after he checks me (post 37 weeks of course) and that it usually takes care of the scar tissue and allows my body to dilate.  But he's leaving it up to me completely, he won't even check me unless I want him to.  He's very supportive of natural birth.  I keep going back and forth on if I should have this done or not.

 I guess I could always have him check me and see if I have made any progress and go from there??? 

pinksweetpea2

37 weeks is EARLY.  Although it usually does not work if your body is not ready to go into labor, stripping can sometimes weaken the membranes and cause a premature rupture.  Also, it can just plain be painful.

I would just wait and see what your body does on it's own.  Why can't they wait until you are past 40 weeks...or even until you are in early labor?  Why does it have to be this early?

 

lcourter24

pinksweetpea2:

37 weeks is EARLY.  Although it usually does not work if your body is not ready to go into labor, stripping can sometimes weaken the membranes and cause a premature rupture.  Also, it can just plain be painful.

I would just wait and see what your body does on it's own.  Why can't they wait until you are past 40 weeks...or even until you are in early labor?  Why does it have to be this early?

 

No, I'm sorry I should have been more specific.  He wasn't saying we had to do it at 37 weeks, just that it could be done after 37 weeks. I was considering getting checked around 38 weeks, and if I'm still thick and not dilating, getting re-checked at 40 weeks.  At that point I would have him strip them if need be.  

pinksweetpea2

That makes more sense.

The only thing to consider is that dilation (or lack of it) normally does not mean anything until you are in labor.  With my first pregnancy I was barely 1 cm when I consented to a check at 42 weeks (gave birth a week later) and ended up doing all of my dilating during labor. 

What I am trying to say is that even if you are not dilated at 38 or even 40 weeks it does not mean that you will not dilate when in labor.  You need to ask yourself if you will be ok if the membrane stripping does not do anything to encourage dilation before labor and if you are going to be able to avoid stressing about it all before you do go into labor.  Statistically it is very likely you are going to go late (FTMs average is 41 weeks and change) and you don't want to spend weeks  worrying about something that is probably nothing.

In the end you are the only one who can decide which will make those last weeks less stressful for you. 

GL

VABride2008

I would only do it after 40 weeks, not before.

abell77

I had a leep five years prior to my first birth.  No issues dilating with either of my births, whatsoever.  I would not strip membranes at 37 weeks.  40 weeks, maybe.  41 weeks, sure, go for it.  Wait and see what happens, you might not have any trouble at all.

StefandTodd

I would have them stripped at 41 weeks.  GL!

lcourter24

abell77:

I had a leep five years prior to my first birth.  No issues dilating with either of my births, whatsoever.  I would not strip membranes at 37 weeks.  40 weeks, maybe.  41 weeks, sure, go for it.  Wait and see what happens, you might not have any trouble at all.

Thank you ladies!  I think we will just wait it out, since it was so long ago I don't think it will be an issue.