What does it mean to "strip your membranes" and does it hurt?

I'm not sure I want to know what this means but I am asking anyway...

Message edited 1/21/2010 8:45:16 PM.

Re: What does it mean to "strip your membranes" and does it hurt?

I found this on the internet...but I would NOT do this to myself! It hurts, but is totally tolerable and lasts about 45 seconds.


How to Strip Membranes to Induce Labor Naturally

Stripping the membranes of a pregnant woman is almost a guaranteed way to bring on labor naturally. Although this method is better left to medical professionals such as a doctor or midwife, a mother can do the process at home as long as she takes certain precautions.

Stripping the membranes is when a midwife, doctor or even the pregnant women inserts two fingers into the vagina and makes a sweeping motion inside the cervix to loosen not only the mucus plug but the bag of water from the uterus.

This procedure is best done when the mother has already started to dilate, or open up. Stripping the membranes when a mother is not dilated may cause discomfort and even pain. So it is much better to do this when the mother is at least 2 cm dilated.

The reason that this procedure is a natural way to induce labor is because removing the mucus plug as well as disrupting the attachment of the bag of water to the uterus will cause the uterus to contract. Often times, once the mucus plug is removed (which is a thick collection of mucus that seals the cervix from anything trying to enter the uterus), labor starts within 3 days.

It is important that when a mother attempts to strip the membranes that she always washes her hands and uses gloves. This will keep down infections and will also help prevent scratches to the cervix.

One risk of stripping the membranes is the chance of prematurely rupturing the bag of waters. That is why it is important to strip the membranes during the last few weeks of pregnancy rather than earlier in the pregnancy.

Stripping the membranes is a great way to induce labor naturally. Most women see results from this procedure within a few days – even some see results within hours! Never attempt to strip your membranes without first discussing this method and getting approval from you doctor or midwife.



Read more: http://www.brighthub.com/health/alternative-medicine/articles/16232.aspx#ixzz0dIwwsgiu

Re: What does it mean to "strip your membranes" and does it hurt?

I was 4 days late with DD and this was done to me at about 1 pm. At about 8 pmish I started noticing cramping, which is normal. At 10 pm I realized that they were contractions.

ETA It was weird, but did not hurt.

Message edited 1/21/2010 9:45:30 PM.

Re: What does it mean to "strip your membranes" and does it hurt?

OMG I will so NOT strip my own membranes LOL

Re: What does it mean to "strip your membranes" and does it hurt?

Re: What does it mean to "strip your membranes" and does it hurt?

Posted by babybug631

Posted by NinasMommy

OMG I will so NOT strip my own membranes LOL

I don't think you could reach them anyway.

Re: What does it mean to "strip your membranes" and does it hurt?

Re: What does it mean to "strip your membranes" and does it hurt?

It doesn't hurt per se, but its pretty horrible!!!

Re: What does it mean to "strip your membranes" and does it hurt?

My OB GYN stripped my membranes towards the end of my pregnancy. I was only 1/2 cm dialated and it HURT.

Re: What does it mean to "strip your membranes" and does it hurt?

It feels like a rough internal, my OB did it when I was 39 weeks and 5 days and already dilated almost 3CMs. She did it at 2 pm and by 8pm I was in labor.

Re: What does it mean to "strip your membranes" and does it hurt?

Re: What does it mean to "strip your membranes" and does it hurt?

i had it done recently. it hurt a little, but not so bad and didnt take long. labor basically started immediately and i had my dd that morning. i was about 2.5 cm when i had it done.

Re: What does it mean to "strip your membranes" and does it hurt?

my OB did this on Monday - I didn't think it hurt at all - lost my plug on Wednesday and was in very early labor by the time my induction started on Thursday morning.