Stripping Membranes?

Raymer2 · May 2015

So at my 37 week apt. My doctor mentioned the posiblity of stripping my membranes next Tuesday. I didn't really think to much about it until I was at home. After doing research and a lot of thinking I'm not really sure how I feel it's kind of mixed emotions. My OB wants to wait until my growth scan to see how big he is.

My question is has anyone either experienced their membranes being stripped and what were the results? Anyone else's doc mention this? Any replies will be greatly appreciated! TIA!

niknak1208 · May 2015

My OB stripped them at 38wjs with DS. That was 2008. I went into labor a week later. No idea if that's why or not. It isn't pleasant. It does hurt while they're doing it and you can spot after but I never had any ongoing problems from having them stripped.

ngaines27 · May 2015

I had mine stripped with DD2 and it didn't induce labor. My sister, however, has has her membranes stripped with all 3 children and went into labor within 8 hours each time. I think it depends on how aggressively the doctor does it.

HayesRN13 · May 2015

Your doc will manually seperate a part of the bag of water from the wall of your uterus..Some it will cause contractions, painful, but not true labor contractions. Some do go into labor sometime after, but who's to say they wouldn't have anyway? Most patients come in with painful contractions, but it's not true labor (does not cause cervical change) so we send them home .. I won't let my doc strip me

...that's the outcome I see the most, there are a couple other L&D nurses who might come post and have different experiences? @klkonwi and @dancegurl1118

britneythebridexo · May 2015

At 39 weeks and 4days my doctor stripped my membranes with my 1st. I was already 100% and 3cm dilated. As soon as they were stripped (which was a painless procedure of her putting her finger up there basically similar to a cervix check) my whole mucous plug fell out. She suggested I go home and have sex. 15-30mins later I was cramping but DH and I thought we should do the deed. After having sex I then had strong Braxton hicks contractions and spent a good time in a hot shower. My husband got ready for work and left. By time he left the bh contractions went away and I layed down to take a nap. 30mins later I had to pee, after peeing my body told me to stay on the toilet and my water broke

I called DH and he rushed home. We grabbed our bags and went to the hospital and 9hours later through natural labor I had my little boy in my arms.

klkonwi · May 2015

I agree @HayesRN13
Also want to add how shocked I am that people are getting checked so early in the game. Our docs won't check you until your 39/40 unless medical reason. And it has the same effect as stripping membranes.... Irritates things and doesn't do much true labor wise but freak us all out

ElRuby · May 2015

Isn't there also a risk of infection when doing this?

HayesRN13 · May 2015

I hate that they check so early.. It means nothing, I wish they would stop

klkonwi · May 2015

There's a risk anytime you enter the vagina but the real risk is when your membranes are ruptured. So not really much @ElRuby

ElRuby · May 2015

Thanks @klkonwi

MissIntentional · May 2015

I did it last time at 39+6. My water broke 9 hours later.

I'll have it done again if I make it to 40w. I definitely would not do it before 39w.

aliciac2008 · May 2015

I actually asked my doctor if she would do mine at my 38 week appointment because I want to do as much as possible to prevent myself from going over my due date. However, she said it doesn't really work, especially in FTMs. So while she could do it if I wanted, she didn't suggest it, so I didn't get it done.

henrytviii · May 2015

Hate to harass our L&D nurses but are there situations where you think its a good idea to try or do you think its almost never a good idea? I have a really high Doppler reading on the cord, right now just monitoring for growth but my Dr. doesn't really want me to go much over 40 weeks and will cut me off if we see a lack of growth or any issues on the NSTs. My last pregnancy went to almost 42 weeks. So now I'm feeling some pressure to try some things to get things moving. I am totally fine with a Pitocin induction if it comes to that but was hoping to try some other things first, primary because Dr. told me that babies with cord/placenta issues don't always tolerate labor well, so I assume Pitocin contractions could be worse for that situation. I have a big baby, who has always measured ahead and I'm noticing some changes this week that make me think I have an actual change of going on time (easy to lose hope with a 42 week history!). Anyway I could have my membranes stripped at tomorrows appointment and I am really torn on whether to do it. I am already having uncomfortable contractions, I'd hate to add more that aren't doing anything. I am seeing an acupuncturist in the morning tomorrow. I did that last time, and was holding a baby not 12 hours later. Coincidence maybe, but it makes me feel like I am taking action. Reading this I think I might pass on the membrane stripping. Any thoughts in this case?

EDIT: Should add that I am 38 weeks now. So I have 2 weeks if tests go well.

klkonwi · May 2015

@henrytviii It's hard to say what you should do. I would def stick with your accupuncture even if it was a coincidence it can't hurt anything. If your doc really thinks it's best to try and strip .... I say go for it but if it doesn't work id hate for you to be miserable ! Maybe one of the others can give you a more specific answer!

Raymer2 · May 2015

Thanks for everyone who has responded! I am already high risk so I'm not 100% on what my OB thoughts are. I do know that unless you're having problems at my office you never see the OB. In my case I see the OB one, sometimes twice a week, plus nst twice a week. I'll probably opt out of it because I don't want to be in pain for nothing and my first was in nicu due to them checking me too much after my water broke so I really don't want another infection that leads lo having to be in nicu. Thanks again for everyone's input

juliep91080 · May 2015

I am suprised some of you mentioned it doesn't hurt. I had it done twice w DD and In my case, thought it was extremely painful!!!

jessieR358 · May 2015

HayesRN13 said:
I hate that they check so early.. It means nothing, I wish they would stop

Mine started at 32 weeks! I was surprised and was like uh really? Apparently another dr in the office checks every single visit! I told the nurse no way I'd agree to that.
I won't be letting my OB strip my membranes. I want to go into labor naturally.

taboullio84 · May 2015

I had mine done a few times.. More than once in the last pregnancy. I ended up being induced. I didn't find it hurt anymore than an exam. I probably would allow it again at the end.

mccall35 · May 2015

My OB is going to start cervical checks next week (38w), I'm not sure if she'll strip the membranes or not. But we've decided to start early because I'm hoping for a VBAC. Since induction is a bit trickier for us VBACers it's best to try to speed things along in anyway possible, since the outcome of going overdue is an almost guaranteed repeat section. For non-VBAC patients our OB office waits until atleast 39 weeks to start cervical exams (if wanted).

apeschka · May 2015

I had it done with my last one and went into labor the next day. It hurts like hell and frankly I'm not doing it again. For me that was more traumatic than labor before the epidural.

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mleec06 · June 2015

Stripped twice. First time I was a fingertip (1/2 cm) and 50% effaced. Second time was 4 days later and I was 1 cm and 80% effaced. I lost my plug and had some cramping after the second time but no labor. I'm getting induced tonight. I didn't think it was all that painful. Just felt like a more aggressive exam

Raymer2 · June 2015

MrsWilson830 said:
Just curious- do you have to be dilated at all before this can happen? Bec I'm 39 weeks and my doctors have not even offered this as an option she just says lots of sex and nipple stimulation. That's it. But I'm assuming you have to be dilated a little to get your finger in there to sweep right?

Yes, you've got to be dilated enough for your provider to stick a finger inside to do the sweeping. I opted to wait for a sweep until after EDD.

staceyfern · June 2015

My EDD is tomorrow. I have an appt on Wednesday. My stepson is done with school so we were going to bring him and have him sit in the waiting room. I'm nervous my doctor might do this at the appt and if she does, do you think i should find someone to watch him? Trying not to have family take off work right now since they will have to watch him when we go to the hospital

dancegurl1118 · June 2015

Dear diary,

Debating whether or not to ask for it today...I'm 39w and was only fingertip last exam. I need to make it to at least Thursday night still pregnant so I'm nervous it'll work too well. My next appointment isn't until 40+4 so I feel like I'll miss a good opportunity. Oh well.

Love,
Jill

Edit: had it done. Wasn't as painful as I imagined. Wasn't the most fun I've ever had on a Monday either but..

aj1327 · June 2015

My doctor doesn't want me going past my due date because of my fibroid. My appointment is on Wednesday and now I'm scared she's going to want to do this. The cervical check last week hurt bad enough!

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