Stripping Membranes to Induce Labor?

Question

I am due July 6. My first born was 9 pounds 2 oz and this one is expected to be just as big, if not bigger. Doctor has suggested inducing to keep from having such a large baby and avoiding a c-section. I am nervous at the thought of having my membranes stripped. It seems painful and from what I've read sounds like it only works some of the time. I am also afraid that because it causes contractions, that it will make it harder to determine when I am having the real ones. (With my first I had none, then contractions started out of nowhere, immediately two minutes apart. He was born 5 1/2 hours later.) I go in Friday to see how things look. Last Friday I was dilated 1cm, but cervix still pretty thick. I don't want to induce or stip membranes, but I don't want to risk a c-section either. Any advice?????? Also can walking really bring on labor? Doctor says no.

Answer 1

I had that done once. It can be a bit of a discomfort, but it isn't that bad. A few hours after my membranes were stripped, I started having light contractions. I went all night (stripped at about 5 pm the day before) with light contractions and started walking early in the morning. Walking DOES help! It helps your body produce stronger contractions thus progressing your labor. Besides, I personally feel it is better to walk through contractions than to be bed-ridden, and totally focused on them. I was induced this way due to a problem with the baby. I did have to have some pitocin to increase the intensity of the contractions, but made it through without any drugs. My little guy was born less than 24 hours after the stripping. This is how I look at it....nothing is more painful than labor. Besides, if you wish to have a natural child birth rather than a c-section, trust your doc and give it a try. Oh yes....with my first child, I went walking constantly and it did get contractions starting. It helped to soften the cervix (efacement) and dialation. I wish you the best! Ask questions and trust your instincts!

Answer 2

My doctor stripped my membranes prior to induction, in the hopes that it wouldn naturally induce me. It did not work. It is not really painful, just slightly uncomfortable. If you are not even due til next week, don't start stressing. Other ways to (possibly) induce labor are to have sex, nipple stimulation, some people swear that eating spicy food will do it, and my doctor told me that walking could help. If you do end up having to have a c-section, it's ok. The important thing is that you and the baby are both delivered healthy.

Answer 3

I would just let them induce and strip the membranes. The membrane thing is really not a big deal. I was BARELY dialated when I had that done and they induced me. Believe me, you will know if the contractions are real. I gave birth 3 hours later.

Walking, castor oil, etc. didn't work but I have heard sex will.

Answer 4

My sister-in-law and my daughter both had their membranes stripped. It worked for my sister-in-law, but not for my daughter. They said it was uncomfortable, but nothing they could not handle. When in labor, walking can increase your contractions, but I don't think it can start labor. If the stripping does cause contractions, they are the real thing, just wait for them to become regular in time and increasing intensity.

Answer 5

You could try taking some castor oil.If your body isn't ready it will only make you go to the bathroom.As far as having your membranes stripped,I think it is what they call the plug at the cervix.They had to do mine with my second child.When I got to the hospital,I was ready to push.They broke my water.18 minutes later out came my baby.