Stripping the Membranes

My doctor wanted my membranes thinned. She told me to have sex. Something about the man's sperm softens the womans membrane.

My husband loved that doctor!

Why does your doctor not want you to go past your due date? The due date is supposed to be the median point for a safe delivery- anywhere between 38 and 42 weeks is normal. The 40 week mark is merely the median in a Bell curve. The sharp rise in inductions in this country is one of the forces behind our rising cesarean rate. Stripping or sweeping the membranes is a "natural" method of induction. There is an increased risk of infection, risk of prematurity (don't count on late term ultrasounds to determine weight and development, they are notoriously unreliable) risk of premature rupture of membranes (waters breaking before labor starts) and risk of artificial rupture of membranes (your doc/provider "oops" on purpose breaks the waters to start labor.) From what I've read if it is "done right" it is an effective way to induce labor. The membranes must be separated from the bag of waters for 2" all the way around the cervix, so that a bag of forewaters forms. It can be painful and since it increases lots of risks, I wouldn't have it done or consent to it without a medical need.

If it helps at all, I spend the last few weeks of my pregnancies sleeping, eating, grumping at everyone and feeling justified (LOL) and trying to enjoy those last few movements in my belly, and the gorgeous ripe roundness, before the next three months of flaccid tummy! Everyone has to pamper me, or obey my every whim if I'm nesting. I know my body and baby will initiate labor at the right time. I also enjoy being intimate with my husband as much as possible- (when I'm not having to pee or eat or drink or pee!) I know these are the last few weeks we'll have to share before I have a newborn, and a vagina in recovery, plus for me, breastfeeding in those early weeks gives me so many hormones, my sex drive usually seriously depleted the first few months. So I try to enjoy it while I can! And I also know that the prostaglandins in his sperm aren't hurting anything when it comes to getting labor going. They work to soften and efface the cervix. (possibly TMI: The cervadil gel some women get when they are induced or their labor is augmented is actually made from pig semen! So you know semen is an effective and natural tool- and personally, I prefer getting it from my husband!)

Your OB doesn't seem very confident that babies do come when they are ready. "...he also doesn't want to induce me until he has to until the very end." So every woman who doesn't go on the early side of her due date is induced? There is no evidence that women who go past 40 weeks are at an increased risk or that their babies are at an increased risk. Studies have refuted this. 42 weeks is the point where people start to worry. Personally, I wouldn't trust a medical expert who doesn't follow evidence based care.

Good luck dealing with him and with your pregnancy- I have had round ligament pain, swollen ankles and heartburn so bad I wished inducing were the right choice for me, I hope you can enjoy your last few weeks as much as possible! And don't forget they do come early sometimes- or on the early side of the Bell curve.

Hi G.! I am a stay at home mom and a stong believer in waiting on the Lord's Timing. I don't want you to think I am out there on this, but it does concern me. I would check as much as you can about this before going through w/it. It is possible the due date could be estimated wrong. And you know what they say, "A watched pot will never boil." Go on some brisk walks-if your feet aren't to swollen. The baby will be here very soon. unless you or the child is in danger I would let things take there course.

Hang in there!
D.

Striping the membranes means during a vaginal exam the doctor puts her finger through the cervix up to the knuckle and sweeps the finger around the inside perimeter of the external os of the cx. If your body is ready, it is just a slightly uncomfortable feeling, similiar to having a PAP smear done. If your body is not ready it can be very painful, make her stop! Stripping the membranes usually results in going into labor a few days sooner than you would otherwise, but also have a longer labor than you would have without it. Since the membranes remain intact (unbroken) the risk of infection is no greater than with any other vaginal exam. Striping the membranes is safer than an induction, but either procedure done before 41 weeks in the absence of indicative risk factors, is a sign of impatience not medical need, and can lead to more interventions and ultimately a C/S when you try to force the body into labor before it's ready. necessity. The national prematurity rate is rising d/t 2 causes, 1 is impatient interference by doctors, the other is malnutrition!

After reading all these responses I do hope you'll post a "what happened".
My feeling is that this is a may hurt a little or it may hurt a lot, may work for you or maybe not at all sort of thing and why would you do this to your body and child without a medical reason other than a timeline a doctor has suggested. You have probably avoided ingesting certain things or doing certain things to ensure the safety of this baby, so why do something that could increase chances of infection or an unnecessarily early delivery. If the baby is "done developing" it would be out. The baby is "safe" to deliver but it may not be "done". Your body will do its job when it is time - there are no cases of women carrying a baby forever - it just feels like it. Everyone is different and every pregnancy can be different even for one woman. Trust your body more.

Here's the deal. I had it done with my son three times by three different doctors, my OB was out sick for a while. I was dialated 2-3 cm and was 90-100% efaced. They wanted to do this because I lived an hour away and I was soooooo close to being in labor. Each time I went to the doctor they were amazed I wasn't in labor. Anyway, The first dr. was uncomfortable. No big deal and nothing happened. Second dr. a bit more discomfort and still nothing happened. The third dr. made me cringe and tear up, mortified my hubby, and had blood all over his hand. I denied anymore stripping . I had my son a WEEK later. I feel when your body is ready it's ready. On my second child I told my ob, Dr. George in Nashville, the story and said no way. Not again. She didn't mind either way. I think YOU decide YOUR pregnancy, not your DR.

If our bodies worked the way textbooks describe than medicine would be a lot easier. Doctors simply don't know everything. We know our bodies. Do what you want with the research you've done and the conscience you have.

Good luck and I hope your labor was as easy as mine!

Really it's not that big of deal. I had it done with my first child and went into labor naturally in three days. The doctor uses his/her fingers to scrape the mucus from the membrane...thinning the membrane. It is quite uncomfortable while it being done. Good luck!

G.,

Ask yourself, is there a medical reason that your doctor doesn't want you to go past your due date? Stripping your membranes won't do much unless your baby is ready to be born. Giving birth is a true test in patience. If there are no medical reasons and you are experiencing a healthy, normal pregnancy, I would avoid stripping your membranes and all other medical interventions that are offered. Some procedures today are offered more for convenience of the doctor and not what is best for the baby/mother. I don't think this is the case with your doctor wanting to strip your membranes but I am curious to know what his medical reasons are...or are they more personal(vacation planned, golf outing, etc). Remember your due date is an estimation and women go past their due dates all the time.

J.
ALACE trained birth assistant

I have not had that procedure done. However
I went to a midwife who recommended evening primrose oil after 37 weeks. Take 1000mg orally and insert 500mg vaginally every night before bed. It seemed to work as I had my son three days before my due date. Ask your doctor just to make sure it is safe for you.

Usually starts contractions, but you need to be ready, so if he thinks you are, go for it. Good luck. Why don't you try having sex first, I understand that a hormone is relaeased that starts labor.

G.,
I recently had my "membranes stripped." It's different for every person, but it didn't seem to do anything for me. For others, it leads to labor within 48 hrs. When I went for my 38 wk visit, my doctor did it. It hurt pretty bad and caused some cramping and bleeding afterwards. I started to lose my mucous plug shortly after and thought labor was coming soon. Then, my dr did it again at 39 wks when I hadn't dialated any more. Once again...it hurt!! My induction was scheduled for 40 wks. The induction didn't work either. After 15 hrs of being induced, I had a c-section. Bottom line...it's different for each person. I think it's a pretty common procedure these days. From what I understand from others, it is also common for the dr not to tell you when he/she is doing it. Did your dr. give you the option? It sounds like your son is being stubborn like mine!

Stripping your membranes wont do much unless your body is ready to have this baby. They swept mine two days before my daughter was born, but the only reason was because I was already dialated to a four and 80% effaced. And yeah, it hurt lol.

Hi G.-
I had a baby May 5th, and had my membranes stripped. The 5th was a Monday, and my membranes were stripped on Friday the 2nd. The doctor told me it was totally safe and would help "get things started". I was 37 weeks 2 days when he did it, and had been 80% effaced and 1 cm dilated for 2 1/2 weeks. The procedure itself was uncomfortable, but not agonizing, and it only took about 30 seconds. I didn't feel anything the remainder of the day Friday, nor did I have any signs of progress on Saturday. Sunday I lost my mucas plug, and my water broke at 5:40 Sunday morning...I don't know if it actually induced labor for me, or if it was coincidental that I delivered 3 days later, but I would definitely have it done if your doctor is willing. I guess all practices are different, because I didn't ask for this procedure to be done, my doctor suggested it. Best of luck and congrats on your baby coming very soon!

My doctor stripped my membranes with my first child and it worked like a charm. It wasn't the most comfortable experience when he did it but I was having contractions by the time I got to my car to go home. :) Good luck.

yes, I have had it done 3 times. It hurts like hell but it makes you go into labor that night.
Let him do it and make that baby come.

Very uncofortable procedure. My doctor did not tell me he was going to strip my membranes.He started at my 38th week checkup.Then he did it again on 39th,and I ended up giving birth on my due date. Kind of painful, but it is not a big deal.

Hi G.,

I had this procedure done twice because I had been dilated to 3 centimeters since I was 36 weeks along and my son just didn't want to come. It effects people differently. Some ladies have the procedure done and begin labor fairly quickly. I, however, did not. Like I said, I had the procedure done twice and nothing happened. I ended up having to be induced the day before my due date. I know how you feel...I was just so ready to go ahead and deliver my baby. My advice is to do the procedure. It is somewhat painful and uncomfortable, but it only lasts a few minutes (it's a quick one). Your health care provider will just do it there in the office. He or she will manually kinda of "sweep" your insides and "strip" the membranes. It's definitely worth it if it works for you. If it doesn't- oh well at least you tried and it wasn't too terrible of a procedure.

Good luck! I hope your baby comes soon!
-K.

I'm 39 with 2 kids, my daughter is 18 and i had an epidural with her and my son was born in 96. He was supposed to be born dec. 28th but didn't come until jan. 2nd.I don't know or ever heard of stripping membranes but I do know that babies come out when they want to not when you want them to. So just hang in there everything will be just fine.
A.

I had it done with my daughter. It unfortunately didnt work. I had her strip mine on monday and ended up having to go in that friday anyway to get induced. It is not really a fun experience. But not as bad as labor! lol. Good luck!

My Dr. stripped my membranes the day before my due date (I was showing no signs of labor, so who knows how long the little one would have waited). Anyway, that was mid-day, that evening I started having very mild contractions. By 5:00 the next morning, I was in labor and delivered at 10:20 a.m. I'm not sure if stripping the membranes is what got everything started or not, but if I had to guess I would say yes. Also, it hurt a little, but not terribly.

When I was pregnant w/my second child I was at my due date and the doctor stripped my membranes at my appointment, it was not painful, a little uncomfortable. It did start the labor process, about 24 hours later I was in the hospital ready to deliver.

It's not too bad. Yo just lay there and it's almost like your getting an exam done. It's a little uncomfortable but totally managable. I've heard that the less it hurts the closer you are. When he is done there will probably be a little blood and thats it......I had it done twice with my youngest. The first time it hurt like hell and nothing happened(39 weeks). A week later it was done again(2 days before due date). It wasn't painful, more uncomfortable and about 8 hours later I was in labor. Each time I had it done I had to request it so if your ready I would ask.

I had this done a few days before my scheduled induction. Yes, there are a few risks, but I really just wanted to give birth without drug induction. It is rather uncomfortable, but I say if it works to start labor, then go for it. Also, "intimate" time with your husband helps, too. My MIL is an L&D nurse and came to visit just before my son's birth, so she gave us lots of tips on things to try to get labor started. Like everyone says, though, the baby will come when it's time. I ended up going into labor about 3 hours before my induction was scheduled.

When I was 36 weeks prenant, my ob asked if I would want my membranes stripped at the next appointment. I researched the procedure as much as possible, spoke with many friends, and other health providers and decided to go ahead with it at my 38 week appointment. My ob said that if your baby is ready to be born, stripping the membranes simply encourages him/her to come along. The risks associated with it are minimal. Needless to say, I was in labor 44 hours after the procedure, and had a fairly comfortable (if giving birth can be comfortable) 7 hour labor. Good luck and congratulations!

I have had this done 2 times and it didn't work either time. I went 41 wks with the first and was tired at 39 wks with the second. I ended up being induced on both of them, my children didn't want to leave,haha!
Discuss it with your Husband and make a decision together. I know some discourage induction but my two oldest (13&8) are doing great and achieving quite well. So it really is up to the individuals at hand!
I wish you the best, we have four boys (set of twins in there) and one girl! The boys are really something else! :)
Congrats!

I had my membranes stripped about 5 days before my due date. It sounds like a horrible experience, but it's no worse than all of the other poking and prodding that gets done "down there" throughout the pregnancy leading up to delivery. It didn't really hurt at the time it was done. One effect I felt, however, was that by about 8 hours after my membranes were stripped, I could barely walk for the pain and soreness in my pelvic area. They induced me with pitocin about 24 hours after my membranes were stripped, but that did nothing. Since they had already broken my water, I ended up delivering by C-section. Everything was fine, though, and as soon as my daughter was born, all of that pelvic pain was gone.

G.---I also had this done with my first about a week past my due date. It was slightly uncomfortable --(but at that point so was breathing! LOL!!!) not any more than the regular internal exams I was getting. For me it did not work and I ended up being induced a few days later........
My dr. did tell me if the baby wasn't ready then it probably wouldn't do anything so it is up to you if you want to try it.....although I'm betting at this point you will try anything!
Good luck!

I have NEVER heard of such a practice in my life. Really womdering if this is a NECESSARY or SAFE thing for a dr. to do to a woman at all.Sounds more like a CONVENIENCE for him or her.I sure would look into such a practice.The long term effects as well as the medical legality of such an atrocious sounding medical 'procedure'. (S. L.) *******. Hi again, G. S. I looked up some material on this subject and interestingly came up with this for you: Look up "The myth of the vaginal exam" It's put out by a reliable source-About.com:pregnancy and childbirth. Hope this helps--S. L.

I had it done with my third child. It wasn't a big deal and was done in seconds. I went into labor that very night and had him at 1am. There were no side effects, unless you call labor one! It worked for me. I wish you the best.

I had mine stripped at 38 weeks. My doctor said he liked to wait until 38 weeks because at that point, the baby is completely finished developing. However, I had my baby on his due date, two weeks later. I guess it works for some people but not everyone.
The procedure is a little uncomfortable but nothing too bad. I thought it would be much worse.
I say go for it, it can't hurt to give it a try.

I had it done with two of my children. One time, nothing happened. With my son it seemed to get me contracting pretty good. I had lost some mucous plug as well. I had it done at 3 seperate visits before it finally got my contractions going consistantly. Could be because of the membranes being stripped, or that it was just time. It is uncomfortable if it's done right, in my opinion.

Since I started contracting pretty well but wasn't changing much my doc told me that he would admit me and break my water and let the process continue on it's own after that. I didn't want any pitocin. In the end, I went in and had my water broke, and had a drug free labor/birth. You could ask him to do that if the membrane stripping doesn't work.

Good luck and congrats!

Hi G.,
I had this done at 41 weeks. It didn't help. :( The doctor did an internal exam and "stripped my membranes" at the same time. I didn't feel anything other than the general discomfort that goes along with an internal exam. I ended up being induced 10 days past my due date. I've heard of other people having success with it though. I think it just helps get things moving and grooving. :)
The wait is almost over! Congratulations! Just enjoy it and don't let the doctors bully you into anything you don't feel comfortable with. You are smart to look up stuff on your own. :)

I had mine stripped with all three of mine, and I was induced all three times. Unless they induce you, it is completely up to your body when you are going to have that baby. Good Luck!!!

I had this done with my second. I do not remember it hurting or having any discomfort afterwards. I had it done in the early afternoon and that night at 11:30 my water broke. Best of luck for a quick, happy, healty delivery.

A.

I had my membranes stripped at 40 weeks...and it didn't do a thing for me. I was already 90% effaced and 3cm dialated, too. I ended up being induced a week later.

For some people it works like a charm, for others, it doesn't do anything. It was uncomfortable to have done, but definately worth a try!

I had my membranes stripped. It was a little uncomfortable, but not bad, however it didn't seem to work for me. They stripped mine at 39 weeks and my little one came at almost 41 weeks. I don't think it hurts to try. Best of luck to you!

J.