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Stripping membranes?

JenMatt2010JenMatt2010 member
in VBAC
Hi all, I'm 24 weeks due in October. At my appt today, my OB mentioned that they will or can strip my membranes at my 39 week appt to "stir things up" and see if it can possibly jumpstart my labor.

DS was a csection due to face presentation. I was induced at 40 weeks 5 days. Labor progressed quickly and I made it to 5cm in about 4 hours. Then they realized he was face presentation and safest option for delivery was a csection.

My OB mentioned the stripping of membranes today because I told him I was nervous I wouldn't go into labor on my own before 41 weeks or be favorable for induction. I was only half cm dilated with DS when I was induced. The practice I am with now will not let me go past 41 weeks. I am not going to change practices for many reasons.

Anyone have any advice about membrane stripping? Although I would hate to have a RCS, I also want this baby to cook for as long as he or she needs to, so I am hesitant to allow membrane stripping, especially without more information. Any constructive advice appreciated. Thanks!!
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Re: Stripping membranes?

  • skioskio member
    It's totally something I would consider trying before scheduling RCS. It's a fairly natural, easy way to bring on labor, but will only work if your body and baby are truly ready.

    I ok'd having it done at my 40w appt. because I was 4cm, 80 percent and had been having false labor on and off for over a week. It kind of sucked afterward; definitely made me super crampy with random contractions. And it didn't work despite my body's apparent readiness. I went into labor two and a half days later, but I've heard and was told by OB that if a sweep is going to do the trick, it'd be within 24 hours.

    My OB was also pretty firm on RCS by 41w or shortly after, but was willing to do it again the day before I hit 41w and give me 24 hours to go into labor before scheduling RCS. Ask your doc if he's willing to do it more than once. And again, it's definitely worth a shot, IMO, if your other choice is surgery. GL!!
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  • nosoup4unosoup4u member

    I would be okay with it if I was getting close to the deadline (in your case, 41 weeks). I wouldn't do it at 39 weeks, but as a later measure to spur labor.

    It sounds like you labored fine with your first LO, so it would probably be a decent bet to do it again.

    DS1 - Feb 2008

    DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)

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  • 3rdTimesACharm23rdTimesACharm2 member

    I had a successful VBAC with my second (first was a scheduled csection due to partial previa placenta)! And like you, I was VERY hesitant on the stripping. I will say though, they stripped my membranes THREE times! So, it is NOT a guarantee that it will work to put you in labor. The last time, we scheduled our much dreaded c-section date, and coincidence or not, I started having contractions that night! 

    Not sure if it was from the stripping or not, and I am most certainly not trying to be a debbie downer on the situation! Just wanted to give you honest advice that it MAY not work. 

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  • JenMatt2010JenMatt2010 member
    image3rdTimesACharm2:
    I had a successful VBAC with my second first was a scheduled csection due to partial previa placenta! And like you, I was VERY hesitant on the stripping. I will say though, they stripped my membranes THREE times! So, it is NOT a guarantee that it will work to put you in labor. The last time, we scheduled our much dreaded csection date, and coincidence or not, I started having contractions that night!nbsp;Not sure if it was from the stripping or not, and I am most certainly not trying to be a debbie downer on the situation! Just wanted to give you honest advice that it MAY not work.nbsp;


    Thanks! How far along were you when they stripped yours each time? How much were you dilated?
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  • 3rdTimesACharm23rdTimesACharm2 member
    My first time was at 39 weeks and I was not dilated at all

    Second was 40 weeks, dilated. 5cm

    And third was 41 weeks desperate at that point for it to jump start labor lol and I was still only .5 cm dilated!
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