Stripping Membranes

futureheatherrogan

How effective is this? My doctor said she is going to do it at my 39 week appointment, and i am just curious how effective it really is at kick starting labor.

caeraRose

It was either very effective for me, or very ineffective, depending on how you look at it. I started bleeding a lot, lost the rest of my mucus plug, had my bloody show, and started getting very strong contractions that have helped my cervix dilate some, as well as get much lower. However, I've been having those same contractions since Monday, and no baby yet.

hmp1

If the baby is ready, it can be effective. I had mine done at my 39 week appt and my water broke 2 days later.

WannaBAmama

My son was born 25 hours after my membrains were stripped at my 40 week appointment. I recommend it to everyone!

lily225

It really just depends on the person. If your body is ready for labor, it will work.

I had it done with DD2 at 40w3d and 2cm and was in labor within an hour. Obviously worked great. 

It was done with DS at 40w and 3cm, 41w and 4cm and  42w and 4cm and then I was sent in for an induction due to dropping fluid levels. So even if dilation is happening, it doesn't always mean your body is ready for labor.

mrshutch

It didn't do a thing for me either time. With DD my OB stripped my membranes a couple of times over a couple of weeks and it didn't do anything. Can't remember w/ DS, but I know it didn't help induce labor. But who knows, maybe if your body's totally ready to go into labor then it'll help things along? GL!

BeerBeck

With my first, I had it done several times, and still had to be induced 5 weeks after my first 'stretch and sweep'.

With this one, I had it done yesterday, and other than some cramping, (which is no different than any other day), it doesn't seem to have caused any change.

j&j060708

I had mine done at 38 weeks 1 day with LO #1 and delivered her 12 hours later.  So for me it was very effective.  But my DR said it only works if your body is ready and you are making progress.  I would do it again even though it hurt more then anything I had ever experienced in my life!

marym94

is it painful???

JulySpark05

I had it done with DD1 at 38 weeks 4days and she was born the very next day. I was 1-2cm dilated before I had it done and it was not painful for me whatsoever. All I felt was a bit of pressure but no pain.

nicholssquared

I think the pain is different for everyone, but I would describe it as uncomfortable, but not explicitly painful.

 I agree with pp that it'll really only be effective if your body was ready to go into labor anyway. I had mine stripped at 40 weeks and had the baby 13 days later. In fact, basically anything to induce labor short of pit is only going to work if your body was ready to go anyway, at least in my experience (trust me, I tried everything - I wanted to get out of my college finals).