I have read a lot of different things concerning the topic of stripping the membranes during pregnancy. Some say it is dangerous and can actually cause severe cramping. But in my experience, stripping the membranes of the cervix to bring on labor contractions actually works!
I have had this done for 3 of my pregnancies and I went into labor almost immediately. Of course, it does not always work this way for everyone. Some doctors are not comfortable doing this and would rather you just wait for things to happen naturally. Now a days doctors are very quick to use the drug pitocin to help induce labor. But there are major side effects to that as well.
I had pitocin for baby #3 and man was that nuts! The drug causes your contractions to come on faster and harder. The pain is so intense, like nothing I have ever felt before. I don’t use pain meds during labor and delivery and looking back on that, I wish I was more informed because I would’ve. Most woman who have the pitocin usually get an epidural to go along with it. I suffered through that swearing I would never have any more kids. LOL
Stripping the membranes is a fairly simple procedure. The doctor gives you a vaginal examination by placing a gloved finger through the cervix and sweeps the amniotic membranes free of their attachment to the lower part of the uterine cavity. This process is believed to release hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which helps to ready your body for labor.
My OB/GYN will do this procedure once I hit 38 weeks of pregnancy, though she did work with me for this past baby and did it a few days earlier than that so that I could be home in time for Christmas. You can read more about my labor and delivery experience here.
So, in my humble opinion, stripping the membranes can be a great natural way to induce labor. I actually begged my husband to try and do it at first, but once I read up on it and saw the picture above of how it is really done, I see that this should really be done by a doctor. It is not something you should try at home.
Some other great alternatives to help bring on labor are:
- Walking
- Sex
- Castor Oil
- Spicy Foods
- Nipple Stimulation
My OBGYN stripped my membranes with my third born and I don’t think it really helped bring on labor. My first born they gave me something like what you said above, but it never brought on contractions, it only made them go away … it was a long labor around 38 hours with my 1st born, 2nd born he was out within a few hours and my third born, well I can’t remember but think it was pretty fast too. I honestly don’t like being pregnant and I am so happy to hear you have a sweet little one to enjoy and that you both are healthy!
.-= Brandy @ Happily Blended´s last blog ..New Year’s Eve Is Coming =-.
Dawn,
Thanks for sharing what worked for you…and presenting other options for folks to consider as well. …as always I love how detailed and informative your posts are…and I’m so glad you and your new little one get to spend New Years together…
Have a wonderful New Years,
Stefanie
.-= Stefanie´s last blog ..Is This Toy Safe? =-.
Stripping the membranes does work! With my 2nd son, the doc stripped my membranes and told my husband and I to go home and “have relations” and that I’d be in labor by that evening…it worked! With my 3rd son, with a different doctor, who didn’t want to strip my membranes, he said he “doesn’t do that”……I was in labor for close to 20 hours!! I was actually begging him to do it.
.-= 3boyzmom´s last blog ..Get FREE meals from IKEA! =-.
I had mine done when Boo was 5 days overdue. It was not pleasant, but she was born three days later after having no contractions and being dilated to a 1 at that appointment. I was glad to have it done, but not impressed with my doctor and how he handled it. He didn’t give me any knowledge about it, just did it without talk to me before hand. After the fact I was grateful, but at that moment I was livid. It hurt and I didn’t know why.
I would definitely do it again with out next or have my cervix gelled…that has worked wonderfully for a few of my friends.
.-= Kellyn´s last blog ..Christmas Eve =-.
It worked for me, too. I didn’t feel it or anything; I didn’t even know that my doctor had done it (I’d been begging for him to induce me for weeks, though, so he knew I’d be okay with it). I had a few minor contractions, they stopped, and then they started again. My daughter was born less than 24 hours later. 🙂
.-= Tara @ Feels Like Home´s last blog ..Have a Coffee Table Picnic =-.
Can you really have intercourse after your membranes are stripped?
I’m 40 weeks and 2 days I got my membranes stripped on Friday it hurt like crazy and it felt like I had to use the bathroom on my dr.
Please do NOT try castor oil, it’s not a “great” way to induce labor! Aside from making you sick it can cause the baby to pass meconium which is dangerous. I’m speaking from experience. Nothing works unless your body is ready! Be patient and let mother nature do her job. Why are ppl so eager to induce?? Due dates are just best guesses. Your baby knows when he’s ready!
Well i never uad rhis procedure done ..i have my next apoitment tomorrow and i will ask my midwife to do it jist becasue i can hold no more pain i been with with contraction since i was 32 and using progesteeoin and magnesium to stop my contraction and to srop my cervix to open up so now im exactly 37 weeks and 7 days i be 38 tomorrow and i been feeling contraction they apart 5 minutes 4 minutes bit they are not thay strong to dilated im scare in the end they will do a csention im going to talk to my docyor about this xoncerns i have righr now i have mild contraction and they hurt like crazy… another thing i wannted to add up i have a 10 month baby that born in january 20 and i used castor oil when i was 39 weeks and it work ..it dosent work woth this one i try it and it dosent just get more constraction and nothing