Ultimate Membrane Stripping Thread

[thedish]

I have a feeling that this is going to be a very popular question... Let's get it all in one spot!

So, calling all S+TMs, did you have your membranes stripped last time? How many weeks were you? Share your wisdom with the world!

[michelle142]

I had it done at 38 and 39 weeks with DS - I'm not going to bother this time.

I was already at 4cm and 70% effaced both times I had the sweep done (same dilation at 36 & 37 weeks, just less effaced), and the sweep did nothing. DS was born at 39 weeks 6 days.

My OB at the time said that if the sweep were going to jump start anything, it would likely happen within 24-48 hours of the sweep.

[mishka29]

Haha I was going to suggest in the spam that there be a post about this. I was reading a bunch about this bc I was considering having it done today but I opted not to. From what I read, it can jump start labour if you have already made some progress. Since I found out that I was still partially closed I figured it would be more painful and probably not produce anything positive. My concern with having it done would be that the water breaks but contractions don't start and you still end up needing to be induced.

[trin42]

I had it done at 40 weeks with DS. Was only about 1.5 cm dialated. Went into labor about 24 hrs later.

Had mine stripped yesterday at 39 wks 1 day. I was about 3.5 cm dialated. and 22 hrs later I feel nothing.

[kcwnc]

I declined last time since I was already 2cm 50% effaced at 38 weeks. My water broke at 39 weeks and I delivered 12 hrs later. I probably won't bother with it this time either.

[wendy46001]

My doc doesn't bother until 40 week apts.
Didn't make it that far last time. Crossing my fingers for this go round too

[sccurrier]

So far this thread has confirmed that I don't want to get my membranes stripped. Seems pointless unless you're already pretty much in labor...

[dronkeygal]

I still don't even know what getting your membranes stripped means. I suppose I could google, but I'm afraid of the results.

[kricha2010]

I don't think my MWs would do it until after 40 wks.
Last time i didn't because my FIL passed away August 1 and my EDD was August 3. Then we just decided to let him come in his own. He was born August 14th. 11 days late.

[cougarette]

Jan 27, 2015 14:55:01 GMT -5 dronkeygal said:

I still don't even know what getting your membranes stripped means. I suppose I could google, but I'm afraid of the results.

This! I'll need to check my pregnancy books when I get home. Unless someone wants to be our personal Google...

[dronkeygal]

Jan 27, 2015 14:58:44 GMT -5 cougarette said:

Jan 27, 2015 14:55:01 GMT -5 dronkeygal said:

I still don't even know what getting your membranes stripped means. I suppose I could google, but I'm afraid of the results.

This! I'll need to check my pregnancy books when I get home. Unless someone wants to be our personal Google...

Glad I'm not the only one.  What I'm picturing in my head is super gross.

[tammynixx]

I did not last time. My office doesn't do it before 40 weeks and I went I to labor at 38 weeks 4 days.

[dreemkin]

My OB "accidentally" did it yesterday (after I asked about it) when she was checking for thickness. It just felt like a little bit rougher internal check. Basically it's just loosening of the amniotic sac from your cervix to try to release a hormone and help your cervix along. So far I've had the same cramping I've been with some bloody show (or only discharge maybe).

I'm glad she did it though. It's worth a try.

[sccurrier]

Jan 27, 2015 15:08:56 GMT -5 dreemkin said:

My OB "accidentally" did it yesterday (after I asked about it) when she was checking for thickness. It just felt like a little bit rougher internal check. Basically it's just loosening of the amniotic sac from your cervix to try to release a hormone and help your cervix along. So far I've had the same cramping I've been with some bloody show (or only discharge maybe).

I'm glad she did it though. It's worth a try.

Sounds like it could be excruciatingly painful if you're not dilated or effaced.

[dreemkin]

sccurrier yeah I don't know if they would bother then. I am "a good 2cm and slightly thinned". And 39w2d. My dr said they are usually not effective until after 40w.

[sccurrier]

dreemkin won't be worth it for me then. I have a RCS scheduled for 2/13 but my ob will let me TOL for a VBAC if I go into spontaneous labor. I'm not sure why he scheduled it for 39 weeks instead of 40 though.

[dreemkin]

sccurrier I was googling and there was a big variety of answers: some doctors do it routinely during your weekly internal checks. Some never do it. So I don't know basically. Maybe someone else has better insight. I didn't need it last time due to water breaking with DD. So it's new to me. Good luck to you!

[thedish]

I think my sweep was more aggressive than yours dreemkin. She went to town with mine yesterday. It was a good 45 seconds of swooshing her fingers back and forth between the amniotic sac and my uterine wall. Like yours, it didn't hurt, but I was definitely aware of what was happening and it was very different from the regular checks.

I do not believe that it's even an option if you aren't dilated or effaced at all, since they can't get in there really - and like you said sccurrier, it'd be extremely painful.

Also dronkeygal, I googled before my appointment yesterday and there isn't too much scary on it. I'd just stay away from the pictures Here's a good article on it.

[michelle142]

Jan 27, 2015 14:58:44 GMT -5 cougarette said:

Jan 27, 2015 14:55:01 GMT -5 dronkeygal said:

I still don't even know what getting your membranes stripped means. I suppose I could google, but I'm afraid of the results.

This! I'll need to check my pregnancy books when I get home. Unless someone wants to be our personal Google...

A membrane sweep is basically just a REALLY aggressive cervical check. They pretty much dig around in there for a bit to try and loosen things up.

[sccurrier]

Jan 27, 2015 15:47:42 GMT -5 michelle142 said:

Jan 27, 2015 14:58:44 GMT -5 cougarette said:

This! I'll need to check my pregnancy books when I get home. Unless someone wants to be our personal Google...

A membrane sweep is basically just a REALLY aggressive cervical check. They pretty much dig around in there for a bit to try and loosen things up.

My apologies if that's enormous, I'm currently mobile.

[michelle142]

Jan 27, 2015 15:55:19 GMT -5 sccurrier said:

Jan 27, 2015 15:47:42 GMT -5 michelle142 said:

A membrane sweep is basically just a REALLY aggressive cervical check. They pretty much dig around in there for a bit to try and loosen things up.

My apologies if that's enormous, I'm currently mobile.

LOL, well it's true! 

[mishka29]

The hormone that releases is proglandis (I think) and this is also in sperm, which is why people suggest having sex to get labour going.

Did it on the weekend...it sucked.

Eta: prostaglandin is the correct name for it lol

[cougarette]

Jan 27, 2015 16:03:48 GMT -5 mishka29 said:

The hormone that releases is proglandis (I think) and this is also in sperm, which is why people suggest having sex to get labour going.

Did it on the weekend...it sucked.

Eta: prostaglandin is the correct name for it lol

Yeah, I'd much rather do this than have someone digging around up in there.

[michelle142]

Jan 27, 2015 16:03:48 GMT -5 mishka29 said:

The hormone that releases is proglandis (I think) and this is also in sperm, which is why people suggest having sex to get labour going.

Did it on the weekend...it sucked.

Eta: prostaglandin is the correct name for it lol

I think we should just refer to it as the 'sperm hormone'. It's easier to say.

[misshart00]

Just had mine done this morning. I would also prefer sex over that.

[sccurrier]

michelle142 it's the fact that I know it's a completely true and accurate description that makes me never want to experience it.

My FI told me last night that if we weren't allowed to have sex to induce labor then I wasn't allowed to walk around the house to start labor. Sigh.

[fishes]

Last time, no membrane stripping. I didn't even have cervical checks (my choice) until I needed to start pushing. My water broke and I went into labor naturally at 40 weeks, 1 day. I don't believe they do membrane stripping unless there is more of a reason to, like if I had been coming up to 42 weeks.

[trin42]

The only reason my OB did mine this week at 39 weeks was to try to avoid an induction tomorrow. Otherwise she doesn't do them until after 40 wks.
It's uncomfortable but not painful. Just try to relax during it.
Also my OB said that it's about 50% for inducing labor after 40 wks but % goes up for future labors if it was successful for you previously.

[hollydfromtn]

Just had mine done today. It was exactly like everybody said, a really aggressive cervical exam. We also set an induction date for the 2nd. I'm hoping this will kick start things so I can avoid being induced. My dr said there's only about a 50% chance of it actually working.

[Irishcurls]

Interesting, I didn't know it had such a low success rate. Seems about on par with the IRL experiences you ladies are saying though. Still doesn't sound pleasant.