Stripping Membranes?

cdkeas1988

So Monday morning I was in Labor and Delivery I had been having contractions every 2-3 minutes for like 6 hours and was dilated to 2cm.  But about 6am my contractions stopped and i wasnt dilated anymore and since my water had not broken yet they let me go home.  I saw my OB today for a check up and I am still at 2cm, but she is concerned with my massive swelling in my legs and feet.  My BP is still great and I have no protein in my urine, but she is growing more concerned that because in 2 weeks I have put on 14lbs of pretty much all water weight that we could start to see some problems, not to mention the fact that my body has tried to go into labor many times but after 7 or so hours my contractions go from every 2-3 minutes to non existent and my cervix just wont dilate and my water has yet to break.

So she told me that Monday June 4th she is going to strip my membranes and said usually within 72 hours most women will deliver a baby.  

Since I am a first time mom all I know about membrane stripping is what I have read online, but I am hoping maybe one of you ladies can tell me a little about it?  Does it hurt when they do it?  And does it actually work or is this more of a useless procedure?

Just trying to prepare myself for Monday.  Thanks in advance ladies!

missBIGV

I'm a first time mom myself so I don't have any experience.  However, my midwife wants to sweep my membranes, so I've had a few discussions with her that might be useful for you, too.   

Regarding the hurting, they say that some women claim they can't even feel it and other say it was horrific pain.  Like everything else in pregnancy, it appears to be totally dependent upon the individual.

Whether (or when) it works depends on the woman, too.  My doula (who's attended hundreds of births) said that in her experience it usually doesn't work the first time they do it, but it works quickly the second time.  My midwife says that she's had women who went into labor soon after the membranes were swept (even the first time), but for other women, even after having their membranes swept 4 times in 4 days, they didn't go into labor immediately.  At the end of our discussion, my midwife also said that she suspects it has something to do with how close you are to your due date anyway... The closer you are, the more your body is ready regardless, so fiddling with the membranes only helps with what was about to happen anyway.  She seems to think that it's more of a maybe-this-will-help-why-not-just-try-it-since-she's-so-close-to-the-end-anyway sort of thing. 

You'll definitely have to keep us updated! 

tuki06

I think the pain is relative, to me honestly my pap smear is more uncomfy than being checked or having this done. But if you have a sensitive cervix you might find it painful. I'm a FTM and I had mine stripped on the 21st. I was at 3 cm and 75% effaced then and baby is still cooking. I'd been having contractions all over the place before then and later that day they just kept coming but alas no baby yet. I'm being induced Thursday. Hope it works for ya but don 't be too upset if it doesn't the baby will come when it wants to or when you force it out lol

emmabug727

Feeling a little sentimental and totally lurking!  I had my membranes stripped and went into labor naturally 12 hours later (I otherwise was planned to be induced the next day).  I was 5 days overdue however, and 2 cm at the time, so hard to say if that would have happened regardless.  It hurts a little, felt like a long (60 second) pap.  Sounds like your body is already getting ready, so it may work for you.  Good luck!!

bnokeefe

I had this done yesterday, at 39 weeks 6 days. I am due today!! I have been 4 cm 100% effaced for 2 weeks now. It was a little uncomfortable, but for me no worse or better then the cervical check. It was super quick too- maybe 10-20 seconds.

 Alas, still nothing almost 24 hours later. Haven't given up hope yet!

kpresley

Hey!

Funny that you mentioned this.  My Doctor sripped my membranes on yesterday while checking my cervix.  I am 3.5 centimeters and 40% effaced; however, she said that the baby still hasn't dropped enough at this point (still close to my ribcage).  I didn't feel any pain-just minor discomfort-this could be different though for each Woman.  I complete breathing exercises each time she checks me out.  It is important to note that I did bleed though (she warned me of this).  I had to wear a Pad yesterday and I am still spotting today. 

I am due on June 7th and she didn't say anything at all about this triggering me going into labor (LOL). 

Best Wishes to you!