I am full term at 38 weeks, 2 cm dilated and 75% effaced. My doctor has suggested stripping my membranes at the next exam. Any advice or stories to share? Thanks for your help! ↓
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Name: Kim | Date: Nov 27th, 2004 3:27 AM
With my first pregnancy, my doctor stripped my membranes, because I had been 1 cm for a month. Well it hurt a little. A few hours later I had the worse irregular contractions. I finally knew what contractions felt like that day! The next day, I walked and walked and walked around the mall. When I got home my mucus plug had came out. The day after that, my water broke. So off to the hospital I went. And I was still 1 cm! Now I don't know if stripping my membranes had any affect on my mucus plug coming out or my water breaking, but everything just happen days apart from each other. ↑
Name: Z | Date: Nov 27th, 2004 1:04 PM
Kim,
When you finally arrived at the hospital did you begin to dilate at a regular pace? How long was your labor? Thanks for your response! ↑
Name: Kim | Date: Nov 27th, 2004 11:02 PM
No, I didn't begin to dilate. They put me on pitocin to start me to dilate because they try to deliver a baby within 24 hours of your water breaking. But because they put me on a low dose it took 12 hours before there was much of a difference in my dilating. But I think that if he never would have stripped my membranes my water would have never broke, and I'd still be sitting here with a 2 year old baby in my stomach! (just kidding). But everyone is different. Talk to your doctor more about it, he/she would know a whole lot more. ↑
Name: heather hunter | Date: Nov 29th, 2004 12:46 PM
my doctor done that to me and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesnt. the first time didnt for me. then she done it again a couple of days later and it worked i had my daughter that night. ↑
Name: pam | Date: Nov 29th, 2004 11:39 PM
With both of my children (ages 5 and 3) I delivered within 24 hours of my membranes being stripped.
It is very painful but it wrked to get things moving. ↑
Name: Tonia | Date: Dec 3rd, 2004 4:10 PM
I had my membranes stripped 2 days before my due date, my water broke the next morning and I had my son at midnight. I think it works. ↑
Name: April | Date: Dec 7th, 2004 1:26 PM
I had mine done yesterday and I had cramps on and off since then, nothing consistant though. I feel less pressure on my pelvic area since she stripped the membranes. I am waiting to see if have this kid in the next few days. I am dialated to 3 and it is my 3rd child. If you are miserable and don't want to wait too long, let the doctor try it. ↑
Name: KristinaNo | Date: Dec 8th, 2004 3:53 AM
When the doctor stripped by membranes the same night after the exam about 2am i went into labor! ↑
Name: Jo | Date: Dec 9th, 2004 10:34 PM
I am 39 Weeks today and had my membranes stripped last week at my appt and nothing happened....but he said he couldn't do it very well, I was 2 cm dialted then. Today I went in and I am 4 cm dialated and he stripped my membranes again and said see you tonight or tomorrow.....I hope so because I am ready. He thought I would have had this baby by now. I have had some cramping so far but thats about it.....I hope I wake up in the middle of the night and get to have my baby!!! ↑
Three days before my due date with my daughter, my doctor stripped my membranes. It was painful, and on the way home from my appointment I started having contractions. My husband and I were so excited because we thought we were going to be able to meet our baby!! Although the contractions were strong, they were irregular. And at 2am my poor hubby was so excited he got up and made the bed while I showered to ease the pain. But then the contraction totally fizzled out! That was like a great big "PYSCH". At my next appointment, we let our doctor try again. But all that resulted in was a repeat of the week before.....basically....it was hope deferred. And that was harder to handle than the contractions. We'd get all worked up, only to have the contractions stop because our kiddo wasn't ready. I ended up going into labor on my own 11 days after my due date. I'm currently 36 weeks pregnant with baby number two, 2 cm dialated. I don't know if I'll have my doc strip me this time. The disappointment of it not really working was too hard to handle. But believe me....I can totally understand the temptation to spurr things on! I might work for you. Just be aware that it also might not work! :) Good luck. ↑
Name: Kimberly | Date: Jan 10th, 2005 2:29 PM
I had my membranes stripped last week when I was 80% effaced and 1cm dilated. I lost my mucus plug the following day but that's about it. I had another appt today and the doc stripped my membranes again. I was still 80% effaced and now 2cm dilated. I am 1 day overdue but feel like I have been pregnant forever. I have been scheduled for induction on Sunday (1/16) if nothing happens between now and then. The doc is hoping that I go into labor naturally rather than having to induce. This will be my first child - and it's a girl. Hope things start happening soon! Good luck everyone! ↑
Name: Lyndsey | Date: Jan 13th, 2005 9:30 PM
I am full term as of tomorrow and I have been dilated to 3 cm and 100% effaced for just over a month now. I went into pre-term labor the weekend before Thanksgiving and they gave me mag. sulfate to stop it and now i seem to be in a permanent lull of labor ever starting again!! My doctor stripped my membranes this morning and I have been having A LOT of cramping and bloody show. My contractions have been about 10 min. apart for the last 4 hrs and we're hoping that the big day has finally arrived!! Can't wait to meet the little one!! Will write again to say whether or not it worked. ↑
Name: Jenni | Date: Jan 14th, 2005 3:46 PM
My due date was Jan. 9th. On my Jan. 12th app. my doc stripped my membranes. I was 2cm dilated and about 40% effaced. I did have some cramping but no spotting at all. I don't think my mucus plug has come out yet. I go back on the 17th if he hasn't come yet. We will then set up a time for me to check in and start induction. I hope I go into labor naturally before then, but it doens't look like stripping my membranes will play a role in that. ↑
Name: Erica | Date: Jan 18th, 2005 7:34 PM
I am sitting here waiting hopefully to start labor after having my membranes stripped today. On my first child the stripping worked within 12 hours and after 15 hours of labor I had him. I like the option and think it is worth a whirl. The baby will come when they are ready but why not give them a little push! ↑
Name: Rachel | Date: Jan 18th, 2005 10:26 PM
I am 38+4 today.( january 18, 2004)
I had my exam today. I also had my membranes stripped today. It did not hurt at all. I have not had any contractions like I have been the last couple days. I am keeping my fingers crossed.This is also my sencond child. ↑
Name: Lisa | Date: Jan 19th, 2005 3:18 PM
Had it done with my first...not a big deal, will take sec and you won't even notice. ↑
Name: Lisa | Date: Jan 19th, 2005 11:02 PM
My doctor stripped my membranes at 38 weeks and four days later my water broke and I had a great delivery. I couldn't even tell she had stripped my membranes because it didn't hurt at all and I never had bleeding or contractions until they gave me pitocin in the hospital. ↑
Name: Lisa | Date: Jan 20th, 2005 8:53 PM
Hi I just had my membranes stripped today this is my second child. My first labor was fast and easy i went from 3-10 cm in a half hour and pushed for 15 min and my son was born.
With this pregnancy I have had a lot of pressure and pain and my midwife stripped my membranes today so I hope something happens soon I am 39 weeks pregnant, 3 cm and 100%effaced. ↑
Name: Kimberly | Date: Jan 21st, 2005 2:25 PM
Hi - I am going to be 39 weeks on Monday (January 24) - My doctor has stripped the membranes three times and still nothing! I find it quite painful but yet I have had him do it three times now. I have been dialated at a 2 and 80% effaced since about 37.5 weeks. The doctor keeps telling me how low the baby's head is and he can't believe I haven't gone into labor yet. While I do have contractions - noithing else I go back to the doctor on the 24th (If I don't have the baby by then) I will have them stripped again. I found it painful and the nurse was telling me that childbirth is actually not as painful (I assume as long as you have drugs) so if you want to endure some pain go for it otherwise wait. I must say, however, that although it hurts and I dread going to the doctor (twice a week) knowing what the doctor is going to do, I continue to let him perform the technique in hopes of having a baby!!!! ↑
Name: Jennifer | Date: Jan 23rd, 2005 4:32 PM
I am 38 weks, 80% effaced and 2cm dialated. My doc suggested stripping my membranes at my appointment this tuesday (1/25). I am concerned it will hurt though. Also, to some extent,I woould like to allow the little guy to just come when he is readt. My firt came after my water broke when I was 37 weeks, But I am getting to be so uncomfortable, then I think I am ready to have this baby. ↑
Name: sarah | Date: Jan 28th, 2005 2:48 PM
I am 39 weeks pregnant now.I had my membranes stripped 2 days ago.I then lost my mucus plug the next day.I am 2cm and effaced at 50% still nothing. My husband and I are waiting.I would say that it is worth it to try to have your membranes stripped if you are uncomfortable.As for it being painful, surely you can handle the one minute of discomfort compared to hours of labor. Let your doctor know you are nervous about it and as them to walk you though it by telling you what they are exactely doing and warning you on when it may be alittle uncomfortable.So do what you feel is best for you.Not what others tell you.One way or the other that bundle of joy will come. ↑
Name: Monica | Date: Jan 30th, 2005 2:19 PM
I would just wait until you were effaced more.. or until at least 39 weeks.. you may have a better chance of not tearing or having an episiotomy... ↑
Name: CC | Date: Feb 11th, 2005 1:01 AM
I hit 39 weeks and have been 80% effaced at 4cm for two weeks - my doc stripped my membrains the week before which caused two days of false labor contractions 3 min apart but weak...she did it again 3 days ago and nothing but a lot of gewy brown stuff and occasionally heavy crampy contractions. I just read that if it works it works within 72 hours so that gives me until tomorrow at 3pm.... ↑
Name: shana | Date: Feb 11th, 2005 3:24 AM
what is stripping membranes exactly. Never heard of it til this web site ↑
Name: joan | Date: Feb 22nd, 2005 11:52 AM
are most women informed regarding the "stripping of their membranes?" why do doctors like to do this procedure if everything appears to progressing normally and healthy? i am 36 weeks and 4 days and the doctor did it without my permission. does anyone have any reasons for this? ↑
Name: aimee | Date: Mar 13th, 2005 10:48 PM
im on baby no. 2.im 2cm and will be getting stripped in about 4 days.ill update you guys.i think my bloody show came out already but it doesnt look the same.this time its clear.hope this week is it!!!! ↑
Name: Brittany | Date: Mar 21st, 2005 5:51 PM
I had my membranes stripped last friday on my 38 week mark. Boy was it painful! All I got from it was a little spotting and small cramps..no labor contractions though. Hopefully we will strip them again on my next apt. and we will have this baby before my husband has to go back to Iraq. ↑
I went to my doctor today, I'm 37/5 and was expecting to have my membranes stripped. She informed me she could not do it since I'm not dialated at all. I feel like this baby will never come out! ↑
