membrane stripping?

ACAsomeday · November 2011

I don't get the whole membrane stripping thing. I mean, I know what it is - the physical act, but it seems like everyone is getting it done before 40 weeks just because they're sick of being pregnant/want to see their baby...Is that essentially inducing labor? Is that something doctors will just do because you ask?

I guess it just seems a little odd to me that people keep saying "i'm planning on getting my membranes stripped on date xyz"

someone, enlighten me!!

authorofdreamz · November 2011

Most people I've seen have had it done hoping to avoid induction. I don't think it counts as inducing labor since it will only help your body along if it's ready. Some people have had it done multiple times and it has no affect.

amandajb1 · November 2011

Your concidered full term at 37 weeks, I know that my midwife practive wont stip your membranes untill 37 4/7. It just something to help things along if they are already going. With my first pregnancy I was miserable ( I am this time too) with horrible pelivic pain, I was unable to walk. We had discussed going in for an induction but first they wanted to try the membrane stripping and it worked! I am going to have them do it tomorrow for me when I am 38 weeks because I know I am going the same direction of not being able to walk. Again it will only work if you are ready and your cervix has to be dilated enough for them to get a finger in there anyway.

knottie198f1ac43570b6c2 · November 2011

I asked my Dr. about it at my last appointment because yea I am ready to be done but he said they won't do it at all at my office because of the risk of infection.

Goodfam11 · November 2011

I had this done at my 38 week appointment on Tuesday, still no baby. I was talking with my Doc about it and she said it will not send you into labor (although some women swear that it will) However, studies have shown that it will keep you from going past your due date. I am all about that as it is standard procedure in the hospital we are seen at (Naval Medical Center) to not do any kind of induction unless medically indicated until 41 weeks.

littlewinnie15 · November 2011

My doctor would only do this at 39 weeks. They try to avoid anything to induce labor before that point, unless medically necessary. Today is my 39 week appointment, and honestly if she asks if I want it done - I will say yes! I am 6 days shy of my due date, but I've been having contractions for 2-3 weeks and am pretty much constantly in pain. I figure if my body is ready, it will help move things along. If my body is not ready, I don't think it will hurt anything.

turtlewifey · November 2011

It doesn't cause labor, but it can put you over the edge if you are close. I had mine stripped yesterday, although I didn't have high hopes that it would help. As I expected, it did absolutely nothing except make me bleed and cramp. I will absolutely have it done again next week. It certainly doesn't hurt anything.

adri77 · November 2011

This is my 3rd baby. I'm having a really hard time taking care of my first 2, essentially alone M-F. I am totally asking to have my membranes stripped tomorrow, if it's possible. That is all the reasoning I feel is needed!!!!

MrsG.060708 · November 2011

authorofdreamz:
Most people I've seen have had it done hoping to avoid induction. I don't think it counts as inducing labor since it will only help your body along if it's ready. Some people have had it done multiple times and it has no affect.

This was me. I was being induced at 39 weeks...I had my membranes stripped at 37 weeks and 38 weeks in hopes of it sending me into labor, but it didn't and I was induced. It doesn't hurt, and it won't send you into labor unless your body and baby are ready, so I don't see any harm in it.

baileyrayvalentine · November 2011

My midwife says that true membrane stripping is only effective if it is done three consecutive days in a row. She also said that anything done only once is usually just your doctor manually opening your cervix with her fingers, so it technically isn't membrane stripping at all.

Zooropa10 · November 2011

My doctor stripped mine at 39 weeks, told me to take a two hour walk, and two doses of miralax, and come back in the morning. I also used my yoga ball a lot, by the time I got there the next day head was even farther down. The next day she did it again and sent me L/D. But as PPs said. I was already going into labor, having contractions, effaced, and dilated. The miralax was nice because it totally cleaned me out for the hospital, and made the "first" poop after a lot less stressful.

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