Back from my first internal....(and a ? about stripping membranes)

MamabirdtoBe · March 2011

2 cm dilated, 60% effaced, and head low. But now I'm feeling crampy Sad

My due date is Friday, and I am hoping she holds out until then. Our town's Medieval Fair starts Friday, and I don't want to miss it! I think I'm the only one not wishing for an early baby, and even though I'm excited to meet her, a huge root beer, foot long corn dog, and day of 75 degree weather and sunshine sound too good to pass up. Once we leave, she's free to flee the premises of my uterus at any point!

So I'll be taking it easy the next few days, and hopefully this little lady can hold out. My midwife is on call Wednesday-Monday, and if she's not here in that period, I'll be delivering with a midwife I've never even met before! Ack.

What do you ladies think about stripping membranes? She offered to do it Monday if she weren't here yet. I'm not on board with induction, but this seems less invasive.

Nicki Boston · March 2011

had it done today.. they just stretch your cervix a little more to try to get things going. I'd say go for it!

good luck!

biblionerd · March 2011

Nicki Boston:
had it done today.. they just stretch your cervix a little more to try to get things going. I'd say go for it!

good luck!

I'm sorry, but that's not what stripping your membranes is. It involves them "sweeping" a finger and separating your bag of waters from your uterus, not stretching your cervix.

agreenaffair · March 2011

I plan on asking my MW to do it if she isn't here by 40 weeks

Gina418 · March 2011

biblionerd:
Nicki Boston:
had it done today.. they just stretch your cervix a little more to try to get things going. I'd say go for it!

good luck!
I'm sorry, but that's not what stripping your membranes is. It involves them "sweeping" a finger and separating your bag of waters from your uterus, not stretching your cervix.

This.

I had it done twice with ds#1 - never sent me into labor though.

Xles10 · March 2011

If baby isn't ready stripping the membranes won't work and could just cause you to have severe cramps, potentially for days, with no real progress. I'd opt for sweeping my membranes over an induction, but I probably wouldn't get it done unless I was a a week overdue since I'm only allowed to go 2 weeks over my due date. I know a lot of practices won't let their patients go to 42 weeks, so sweeping may be worth pursing earlier.

virginiagirl11 · March 2011

If there's no medical need for your LO to come earlier, I'd give it another week or so and then consider sweeping the membranes. I would definitely opt for that over artificial induction, though!

GL, hope she stays put until after the festival!

luvdv8 · March 2011

biblionerd:
Nicki Boston:
had it done today.. they just stretch your cervix a little more to try to get things going. I'd say go for it!

good luck!
I'm sorry, but that's not what stripping your membranes is. It involves them "sweeping" a finger and separating your bag of waters from your uterus, not stretching your cervix.

My last OB did a "stretch and sweep" in her practice- a combination of both. I never got to the point that I needed it though. My new OB doesn't do it- she says it does nothing more than make you uncomfortable and will only work if baby was going to come on their own anyway.

LadyXaverian · March 2011

If my cervix is favorable, I will let my OB strip membranes at my 40 week appointment.

Nechie122 · March 2011

The risks of having your membranes swept include infection and premature rupture of membranes (ie your water breaking). Of course, once your water does break, most practitioners want you to deliver within a short timeframe (typically 24-48 hours), which could raise your risk of needing additional intervention if the baby isn't prepared to come on her own. Something to think about.

biblionerd · March 2011

Nechie122:
The risks of having your membranes swept include infection and premature rupture of membranes (ie your water breaking). Of course, once your water does break, most practitioners want you to deliver within a short timeframe (typically 24-48 hours), which could raise your risk of needing additional intervention if the baby isn't prepared to come on her own. Something to think about.

This is why I am hesitant to have it done instead of as a last ditch attempt right before induction. I wouldn't want a premature rupture and then increase the risk of pitocin, etc.

SwissMs99 · March 2011

MamabirdtoBe:
2 cm dilated, 60% effaced, and head low. But now I'm feeling crampy
My due date is Friday, and I am hoping she holds out until then. Our town's Medieval Fair starts Friday, and I don't want to miss it! I think I'm the only one not wishing for an early baby, and even though I'm excited to meet her, a huge root beer, foot long corn dog, and day of 75 degree weather and sunshine sound too good to pass up. Once we leave, she's free to flee the premises of my uterus at any point!
So I'll be taking it easy the next few days, and hopefully this little lady can hold out. My midwife is on call Wednesday-Monday, and if she's not here in that period, I'll be delivering with a midwife I've never even met before! Ack.

What do you ladies think about stripping membranes? She offered to do it Monday if she weren't here yet. I'm not on board with induction, but this seems less invasive.

Beware of the cramps & spotting (I bled after 1st internal - scared the crap outta me even though doc warned me). But your 1st internal went better than mine!

And thanks for asking about stripping membranes - I haven't been given that option yet, but I was curious...

Nanna · March 2011

I don't know anyone who had their membranes stripped where it actually worked and every mom I have ever talked to says they would never have it done again.

BBColt78 · March 2011

My friend did this and it actually did help her. She had her LO the next day. Although, that could be just a coincidence and she was about 41weeks.

I would do it as a last ditch before induction. As PP mentioned, I'm not allowed past 41 and a half weeks, so I do that before my induction (which is scheduled as a just in case).

Marcy248 · March 2011

My next OB appointment is Thursday (if I haven't had him already). I am going to refuse an internal and would definitely refuse membrane stripping. He'll come when he's ready. I'm uncomfortable, but after all this time a few more days or a week isn't going to kill me. Plus, more time for unlimited napping!

MrsMackenzie2010 · March 2011

I think it is too early to try that, in my opinion. The baby will come when it's ready.

MamabirdtoBe · March 2011

Thank you so much for the feedback, ladies. I think I am second-guessing my decision to consider it early.

I think I will go with what a lot of you said and use it as a last ditch effort before induction. She said she doesn't want me going much past 41 weeks, which is next Friday. I have an appointment Monday, at 40w3d, and I think I will turn it down until my next one when I hit that 41 week mark.

Here's to hoping she's here before then!

Pearly609 · March 2011

I'm lurking over here and saw this post and wanted to give my 2 cents. This is my 4th child and I had my membranes stripped with #3. The doctor told me after the process to go home an have sex with my husband doggie style. I went into labor 5 hours later. Worked for me and baby was born after 8 hours of labor and an epi. so it was pretty easy. Good luck.

shortstuff15 · March 2011

Nanna:
I don't know anyone who had their membranes stripped where it actually worked and every mom I have ever talked to says they would never have it done again.

Mine didn't work for me, but I do know a few people who it did work for. Regardless of whether it worked or not though, I would do it again in a heartbeat. Did it hurt? Yup. But I would take that over an induction.

Want a personalized experience?

Back from my first internal....(and a ? about stripping membranes)

Re: Back from my first internal....(and a ? about stripping membranes)

Choose Another Board

Search Boards