My dr says that stripping membranes at the end of pregnancy isn't that uncomfortable and it works to bring about labor. However, some of my friends say that it was painful and didn't work for them. I dont know what to do. Any opinions?
For everyone it's different. I have had it done with 3 of my pregnancies (in fact I had it done yesterday) and it has never worked for me!! It is uncomfortable- not painful- but it may or may not work for you! If it works, then it's worth a try :) Good luck!!
Sylvia ~ My doctor did this with my first pregnancy, and it worked. I had my son two days later. It was uncomfortable, not painful. The discomfort only lasted for less than a minute. To me, it was well worth it. Hope this helps.
M. W
Hi Sylvia,
It is completely up to you if you want your doctor to strip your membranes. It is in my eyes a very unnecessary procedure that will be very uncomfortable and may not work. It will all depend on if your body and baby are ready to start labor. I hope this helps.
Ultrasound showed that my oldest was "big" so the doctor stripped my membranes. It didn't hurt at all. That evening I had some bloody mucous and my water broke 24 hours later. My daughter was two weeks early and 8 1/2 pounds.
It worked for me!
I had mine stripped with 2 out of 3 pregnaqncies it didn't hurt the anticipation that it was hurt more than the actual stripping it's just like checking for dialation with a little twist of the wrist to get the membranes and it does bring on labor for some not all usually in the next 24-48 period.Mine was within 24 hrs my water broke with them.I had very simple quick labors with all 3 of mine.The only thing is that I don't hear people mention that you have to be dialeted at least to a 2 at the time they want to strip your membranes if you don't want it then tell them it's your choice.Good Luck & let all of us know what you had
For me, it was slightly painful, but for me a Pap and a cervical check are both painful. It also did not work as well as hoped, my labor did not progress until my water was broke, and then WATCH OUT! But I have had friends who have had sucess with a membrane strip. It's different for everyone and you won't know until you try it.
I've never had it done, but from what I understand, it works if you're pretty much ready to go into labor anyway, and otherwise it doesn't. I would have it done before induction, to see if it let you go naturally into labor, but I would avoid it otherwise. I always feel it's best to let your body do it's thing, it knows what to do!
I think some doctors are better at it than others. My OB stripped my membranes with my second. It was uncomfortable, but not painful. I didn't go into labor, but did get an extra centimeter. And had a very sucessful induction. The same doc stripped a friend of mine and she was in labor within 4 hours. Just do what is right for you.
With my second child my dr. did this at my 39 week appointment and she did not warn me or tell me she was doing it. I just noticed her normal exam to see how dilated I was, was a lot more painfull, not unbearable, but it kind of hurt for that second. Then after she was done she told me what she did. I was a little surprised... ButI guess I can say it didn't work on me as I went another week before going into labor. She did this on a Friday, and I went into labor that next friday.
I have three children all in the last four years. They were all with the same doctor. I'm guessing he never does this procedure because I am shocked that I don't even know what it is!! What is stripping the membranes??
Why are you considering this?
I'm sure stripping membranes works differently for everyone. I had this done with my second pregnancy -- it was quick (8-10 seconds maybe), uncomfortable and somewhat painful, but not overly painful. It was not effective for me, and I had to be induced at almost 42 weeks. But I had to be induced with my first pregnancy, too... I've heard that using a breastpump or manual stimulation of the nipples can be another method to bring about labor (but it also probably works differently for everyone). I didn't think to do that when I was at the end of 40 weeks!
Best wishes to you!
A.
I had this done with both my pregnancies. My first I didn't even know she had done it. My appointment was around 11:00 and I had my son at 10:17 that night. My second it was more painful, but not unbearably so. My appointment was at 1:00-ish and I had the baby the next day at 2:42 pm (contractions started at 2:00 in the morning). So, for me, the procedure was very successful and worth the discomfort. FYI, my first was born the day before his due date, my second was 4 days before the due date. My OB only does the procedure after 39 weeks. Best of luck with the new baby!
I've had it done twice. Well, the first time my doctor said he would try it but when he went to do it he said there was nothing to strip (I don't know what that means - maybe I was close to being in labor anyway). Can't remember how soon after that I went into labor. It was within a couple of days I think. (That was more than 10 years ago.)
The second time my doctor did warn me that it would hurt a lot. And it did, but the procedure was very quick. It was definitely uncomfortable and painful, though quick. I went into labor that night. I remember him saying that it could start labor or it could be useless. Good luck and congrats!
It depends if your body is ready yet! I did it 5 days past my due date and was showing signs of labor with dialation and effacing. My doctor did mine at 1:00 and I went in to labor at 5pm! It did hurt but just while she did it which took less than one minute and it worked for me so I felt it was well worth it. It just simply feels like some cramping which at that point I didn't care! HA
Hope this helps but yes, my doctor did explain it won't help if your body is not ready but because I was showing signs it was worth us trying!
It worked for me!
It was no more uncomfortable than any other internal exam I've ever had, and I went into labor about 12 hours later. I was ready to be done with the pregnancy, and it worked great for me and my little man.
That's just my experience, but I wouldn't hesitate to have it done again!
My experience was similar to the others...I had mine done at my morning appointment and went into hard labor later that day. I remember it hurting a little bit, but not really that much.
Best of luck to you!
