Stripping Membranes - tell me how much it hurts

Mabillon

Next week, at my 39 week appointment, my doctor has offered to strip my membranes.  She'll be on call that evening and I'm thinking of going forward with it.  I know that's no guarantee that it'll send me into labor and plan to defer any other induction methods until after 41 weeks...BUT, I'd love it if she delivered the baby.

 So, assuming it's medically possible and I don't chicken out, what kind of pain should I be prepared for?  Will I be in super-harsh pain for awhile?  Just a short time?  Will I be sore for awhile afterwards (I luckily get to work from home the rest of that day)?  I'm kind of imagining the pain after a long break from a bikini wax and then there's the searing pain that dulls shortly after but I fully recognize that I've just made that up in my head.

Tell me what to brace myself for.

ImThisBabysMom

It's different for everyone. I am still very posterior. Meaning my cervix is still far back. So Dr had to go knuckle deep to reach and it was VERY painful during for me. It lasted maybe at most all of a minute, but I cried out and cried tears. It was awful. Since it didn't help me, I would not have done it if I could go back. My checks have never hurt, but that did.

After, I was crampy off and on all night and had red blood on the tp when I'd pee.

wewillservehim

With DD I had it done at 41w 5days and it was uncomfortable but not unbearable. No residual pain afterwards until labour started an hour later.

Dr. has offered it to me for my 40 week appointment and I'll probably turn her down unless I am so incredibly uncomfortable at that point and ready to try anything to get this baby out. 

AshleyDG83

I had mine stripped at my 39 week appt with DS2. It was uncomfortable, but not super painful. I was 2 cm, and my MW didn't expect me to go into labor, but it worked! As soon as I got home, I timed my contractions and was headed back to the hospital 30 minutes later. He was born that evening. If my cervix was ready, I'd have it done, but apparently this baby girl is comfy in there...(not dilated AT ALL!)

mrserinnoelle

I had mine stripped Wednesday and while it didn't work, I'll probably have her do it again at my appointment today.  I was 2cm, about 75% effaced then and it was fine.  Uncomfortable like when you go in for a pap smear but nothing majorly horrible.  I was crampy for the rest of the day and had some contractions but they poo pooed out by the morning (sad!), hopefully today little Mr will decide that his eviction is near and stirring the pot a little will make him come on his own!  

madurr8

I am 38 weeks and got mine done today.  For me it was a little more intense then having an internal and i have been having conctractions and actually lost some of my MP.  Besides the contractions, its sore but for me its not.unberable.  (I am hoping thing pick up)  I know its varies for everyone and I am a big baby with pain.  I dont think its as bad as i thought it would be. And this may seem like silly advice but when she first started I was holding my breath and she told me to breath slowly and concentrate on that and it made it better.  GL with everything

Johlise

I've been debating about getting it done as well. I haven't had any internal checks yet though so we'll see what I think about having it done at my appointment on Monday.

LDW80

Honestly I didn't even realize she did it. After she checked me I asked if she stripped my membranes because I heard it was so painful and didn't feel any pain and she said she did. Everyone is different though.

NLS0412

LDW80:

Honestly I didn't even realize she did it. After she checked me I asked if she stripped my membranes because I heard it was so painful and didn't feel any pain and she said she did. Everyone is different though.

 

This exactly for me too. I had no idea she had already done it.

 

6sour6grapes6

it was painful. she said she was going to "strip them real well" and was in there for probably 30 seconds. during, she told me to breathe, etc. I know I would've passed out if I stood up right away. but 3 hours later I went into labor. good luck.