Stripping membranes - how bad is it really?

[Anonymous]

My doctor wants to strip my membranes at my next appointment to get things going down there. I'm already 1cm dilated, 50% effaced & baby has dropped. He warned me it would be painful. I would love to hear from other moms who had their membranes stripped in an attempt to start labor- how bad was it? Would you recommend it? Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

It is more uncomfortable than painful I would say. More like some pressure than pain - I had a little bit of bleeding afterwards, but it was not that bad. I did go into labor the next morning after I had it done, so maybe it works!

[Anonymous]

I don't remember this being painful or uncomfortable at all. It also didn't work.

[Anonymous]

No worse than a pap smear, pain-wise, though it's a different sort of sensation. Also, it's not as painful as the gazillion vaginal explorations the delivering physician is going to do during labor. But it didn't work for me either. Just ramped up the BH contractions for the rest of the day, and my water broke four days later.

[Anonymous]

I don't recall any pain. Likely some discomfort. I went into labor 2 days later. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

From my experience, it seems that if your cervix is soft, ripe and ready, it's not too painful. But if it is not ready, then ouch. That's how it was for me (three different pregnancies).

[Anonymous]

I was more shocked- a quick pain- I actually forgot about it until I read your post..

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the responses! I was obviously more worried than I need to be. Hopefully it will work!

[Anonymous]

Just my 2 cents, but unless I was within 2 days of being at 42 weeks, I would tell him to keep his hands to himself. What's the rush?

[Anonymous]

OP here. I will be 41 weeks when my membranes are stripped and there is a concern that baby is getting too large based on recent sonograms. I'm hoping to avoid a c-section.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just my 2 cents, but unless I was within 2 days of being at 42 weeks, I would tell him to keep his hands to himself. What's the rush?

I concur!

[Anonymous]

14:27 here. There's always the risk that the doctor will break your water while stripping your membranes. I wouldn't have it done unless my body was showing real signs of readiness. Because if s/he does break your water, then you're committed to having your baby one way or another.

[Anonymous]

Yes, agree with pp. 1 cm and 50% is not really an indication that you're ready - I and a lot of women I know walked around like that for weeks. The fact that the baby has dropped is good, but still no guarantee you're ready. Don't mean to be a downer, but if you want to avoid a C then you may want to consider this. Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

I hear this "big baby" stuff all the time, and my honest opinion is that its a lot of horse shit. If the baby is truly gigantic (doubtful) and too big, you're not going to have any luck getting him out today versus tomorrow. Baby's do not gain a lot of weight in the last week, so my sense is that the doctor is rushing you unnecessarily. (that's my non-medical opinion

If I were you, and the goal is to avoid a C section, I'd rather risk the "large baby" (which again, I think is 90% b.s.) than have the membranes stripped. As someone said, if he breaks your water, the baby will need to be out within 24 hours and thus it increases your chances of a C-section.

If I were you I'd wait. Your body can do AMAZING things when its good and ready.

[Anonymous]

I would not, under any circumstance allow it to be done.