Stripping Membranes.. Yay or nay?

cd92007 · April 2014

I was all "I'm refusing all cervical exams and I'm going to 42 weeks before being inducing" but here I am past due and I'm starting to change my mind. I am seeing my midwife tomorrow at 40w5d and I am thinking about having my membranes stripped (and obviously a cervical exam will go along with that). I feel like I'm "giving in" because I wanted to go into labor naturally, but it seems like it's pretty non-invasive and won't do much unless I'm ready. Anyone have experiences with this? Did it work? Not work? Should I go for it?

khammond3 · April 2014

I had mine done and had my daughter 2 days later

labor started the night I had them stripped

Dianakdee · April 2014

Ya my dr did one for me on the Wednesday April 9th and the Thursday April 10th I was labor and had the baby that evening.

Sammy1022 · April 2014

Had it done twice already. It dilated me a cm more each time but here I am at 39 +2 and no baby yet.

thomas930 · April 2014

Had it done at 39w 1d and went into labor 5 hours later. I already had a good idea that it would kick start labor and I was already 3cm dilated.

Dixon813 · April 2014

I had it done at 38w 3d when I was 4cm and 70%... The next day I had acupuncture done and two days later I went into labor...

I thought about not getting them stripped for the same reason you have, but decided to anyway.

smashton14th · April 2014

I say ya! Just because it worked for me.

I got mine stripped April 9th at 10 in the morning and had him by 7:55 at night. Don't get too excited though. I was already 3cm and my DS was very low already. Also, doctors say it only works 50% of the time.

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

I'm probably having mine done tomorrow. If I'm dilated at all. When the only real cost is discomfort it seems worth a shot.

hpanabaker · April 2014

Had it done last week at 38w 4d. I was dilated to 2cm at that point but my cervix was still thick. No labor this week but lots of random contractions. Having it done again at tomorrow's appointment. It's worth a try in my opinion.

haziedaze · April 2014

I did it Friday at around 1130am at 38w4d after weeks of intensifying prodromal labor. I was 2cm stretchy to 4 with a bulging bag. I went into labor that night with consistent intense contractions starting at 8:30pm and had LO yesterday morning at 6:44am. So I'm a fan... Friday I was already super crampy and had had more contractions than usual so I think I was on my way, but I bet it sped things up a bit. I did have a lot of bleeding right afterwards that tapered off quickly.

Bluebird2318 · April 2014

No experience, but I will almost certainly do it assuming they offer/allow it for me from here on out. As a VBAC most medicated induction options like pitocin are off limits to me so I'll take what I can get.

Emily041285 · April 2014

I was a 2 and 75% when I had mine stripped and I went into labor that night. My dr said he was shocked it actually worked though, so my body was probably ready anyway.

KelleAlward · April 2014

I had it done at my appt at 39w 6d. I was already 3cm dialated, 90% effaced and doc said baby was very low. It's been 4 days and I'm still preggers!

stphanie · April 2014

I had it done 3 times. I was about 2cm and 80% for all attempts and it didn't work for me. I ended up being induced and had him within a few hours. Even though it didn't work for me though, I'd still say to do it. It works for some people so you never know.

Mrs.Kohalic17 · April 2014

I had mine done, went into labor later that night and had my son the next day. But I was 38w2d & already 3cm & 90%.

KendraL86 · April 2014

I had it done and recommend it. I was 90% effaced and 3 cm dilated at the time. Baby was station 0. It was not painful for me. I went into labor 14 hours later.

pineconey · April 2014

I've had my membranes swept 6 times since last Wednesday (3 times yesterday alone at 2 hour intervals). No signs of labor still. I'm 42w.
Even with the sweeps, baby will still come when ready.

it's the least invasive/risky "encouragement" the doc can give, so if you're down with it, go for it! I will say it's been incredibly awkward and uncomfortable for me to get them done.

LindsayB0505 · April 2014

I had it done on Thursday at my 38 week appointment. DS was born Friday morning!

I personally feel like it is about as "non-invasive" as you can get in terms of giving things a little push along and that if your body isn't ready it won't do much from what I've heard from others.

cd92007 · April 2014

Thanks ladies! I got it done yesterday morning and my midwife said she thinks I will deliver in the next couple days. But no baby yet

I was really hoping it would be today since my midwife is on call.. Fingers crossed!

Sarahjess06 · April 2014

I had it done at 39w1d I was 2 cm and 50% then again at 39w 5d I was a little over 3cm. But here I am 40w 2d still pregnant. I did have my show, so I'm feel like even though it's not jump starting labor, I'm still making progress. I have a Dr appt tomorrow and will have another one done if I don't by.some miracle have a baby before then!

PoppySeedWindsor · April 2014

I'm in the same boat. Want to go totally natural and unmedicated. I'm at 41w2d today and staring into the face of an induction on Sunday (I freaking hate state laws). If I make it to my Thursday OB appointment I'm getting those membranes swept in hopes that it induces labor without all of the drugs I'd have pumped into me on Sunday.

pineconey · April 2014

cd92007 said:
Thanks ladies! I got it done yesterday morning and my midwife said she thinks I will deliver in the next couple days. But no baby yet I was really hoping it would be today since my midwife is on call.. Fingers crossed!

Be patient with yourself, as hard as it probably is. I had my first sweep a week ago and even with 5 since then there's been nothing.
*meekly* yay 42w and another sweep today......

cd92007 · April 2014

pineconey said:

Thanks ladies! I got it done yesterday morning and my midwife said she thinks I will deliver in the next couple days. But no baby yet I was really hoping it would be today since my midwife is on call.. Fingers crossed!
Be patient with yourself, as hard as it probably is. I had my first sweep a week ago and even with 5 since then there's been nothing. *meekly* yay 42w and another sweep today......

@pineconey how late are they letting you go before talking induction? I'm pretty sure my midwife will want to induce at 42 weeks (but she hasn't really pressed the issue yet and I don't want to bring it up.. hoping to avoid one).

I think the worst part is that my midwife said "oh I think you're going to go into labor within the next couple days and we won't see you here on Thursday (for NST/ultrasound)." So now I just feel like a ticking time bomb... but I really don't think anything will be happening before then.

pineconey · April 2014

cd92007 said:

pineconey said:

cd92007 said:
Thanks ladies! I got it done yesterday morning and my midwife said she thinks I will deliver in the next couple days. But no baby yet I was really hoping it would be today since my midwife is on call.. Fingers crossed!
Be patient with yourself, as hard as it probably is. I had my first sweep a week ago and even with 5 since then there's been nothing.
*meekly* yay 42w and another sweep today......

@pineconey how late are they letting you go before talking induction? I'm pretty sure my midwife will want to induce at 42 weeks (but she hasn't really pressed the issue yet and I don't want to bring it up.. hoping to avoid one).

I think the worst part is that my midwife said "oh I think you're going to go into labor within the next couple days and we won't see you here on Thursday (for NST/ultrasound)." So now I just feel like a ticking time bomb... but I really don't think anything will be happening before then.

------------
I know the feeling! Our biophysical profile on Friday was a perfect score, so she's not in a rush. I'll hopefully find out more at my appointment today. My MW was here all day Saturday (3 sweeps) and when I inquired about "the plan" after the first she said "I'm pretty confident we can get this baby out today." She gave up after the third and after she left I cried for an hour.

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

I remember with my first, and it wasn't even as long as you've been dealing with, crying a LOT. I also remember being glad I wasn't under the gun for induction, but also jealous of my friends who had a firm end date

mrsB68 · April 2014

I too was against the sweep but after reading a lot I think I'd try it if I were overdue and facing other induction options. Where it can take a couple days after the sweep to "work" I'd probably try to hold off until at least 41w to have it done. I personally would only like more invasive induction options after trying the lease invasive first. I also wouldn't have multiple sweeps... if it works it works, otherwise, I don't want all that interaction all the time and risking any introduction of bacteria. I know this is totally personal preference but that's my opinion. I do respect everyone else who does something different as I complete see this as personal choice and whatever's right for your specific situation!

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

I think for a lot of women multiple sweeps starts to look more attractive when the alternative is hospital induction.

emh81 · April 2014

Okay ladies, for those of you who had sweeps then had babies a day or a few days afterward, did you start having contractions immediately after having the sweep? or did it take a while to feel like anything was happening? Dr. swept mine around 9:15 this morning, I've had some spotting and quite a bit more cramping today but I don't know that I've had any big contractions.

alice928 · April 2014

I was at 1 1/2cm and 50% effaced when I had it done. I was admitted into the hospital that same evening and had her the following day. I had spotting start right after the sweep and contractions started about 2 hours after. I also had a slight pink discharge that morning before the sweep so things may have already been progressing.

pineconey · April 2014

7 total sweeps now, starting at 41w. Had not had an internal check at all up until my first sweep. 42w now and allowed 50mg cytotec to be inserted since there have been no changes since Saturdays sweeps. I'd much prefer any interventions my MW can do that avoid me being admitted to the hospital- even cytotec at this point. It was not in my "plans", but my options are beginning to shrink.

cd92007 · April 2014

pineconey said:

7 total sweeps now, starting at 41w. Had not had an internal check at all up until my first sweep. 42w now and allowed 50mg cytotec to be inserted since there have been no changes since Saturdays sweeps. I'd much prefer any interventions my MW can do that avoid me being admitted to the hospital- even cytotec at this point. It was not in my "plans", but my options are beginning to shrink.

I know how frustrating this must be for you

I know how incredibly anxious I am right now and I still have 9 days until 42 weeks. I'm praying the cytotec works for you and we get to read your birth story very soon!!

JNova78 · April 2014

pineconey said:
7 total sweeps now, starting at 41w. Had not had an internal check at all up until my first sweep. 42w now and allowed 50mg cytotec to be inserted since there have been no changes since Saturdays sweeps. I'd much prefer any interventions my MW can do that avoid me being admitted to the hospital- even cytotec at this point. It was not in my "plans", but my options are beginning to shrink.

Thinking of you! I've had two and they're not pleasant. I hope something jumpstarts your labor soon!

Brigie029 · April 2014

Am due on 4/30 and only want an epi and no other forms of induction or interventions. However, today I was told that I was at a 3, almost 4, and she'd be surprised to see me past the weekend. So, I did the sweep. Will let you know

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