Stripping the membranes???!!!!!???!!!!

[JustMe0925]

I went to my doctors appt today (37w5d) and my doctor asked me if I wanted to have my membranes stripped.  I had no clue what that was.  She then explained what "stripping the membranes" meant and I was a bit nervous at first but then I told her I wanted to do it.  She scheduled me to have them stripped on Tuesday morning (May 20th) and she said I should have my baby that day to 2 days later.  Has anyone ever had this done??  And if so, how many times and did you have them stripped and did it start your labor???  

[peekawho]

It might work, it might not.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I had mine done on a thursday and that following monday morning I woke up wtih contractions and leaking fluid....my son was born at 6:54 pm that day.  For me it took 4 days.

I would certainly request that they do a scan to see what the estimated size of the baby is BEFORE having it done....I was only a week out from my due date when mine was done.  As the other ladies pointed out, you shouldn't try to bring baby earlier than he/she is ready unless there are other complications/factors involved.

[JustMe0925]

Thank you all so much!!!  

JoyRenee &ExpectingaRedhead
My doctor wants the baby to come a lil early if possible because she don't want to do a c-section and thinks I may be to small to deliver if we wait too much longer.  I honestly feel really small for considered term.  I don't know where a baby is hiding at in there!!!  They haven't given me a u/s since 23 weeks so they don't even know about what size she is, but I am measuring on target.

[JoyRenee]

ExpectingaReadhead is very correct. I didn't see how many weeks you were until I just read this. I was 39 weeks and 5 days when they stripped my membranes (both times). Maybe wait another week or two before having that done unless you are having complications and it is medically necessary to deliver your baby.

[ExpectingaRedhead]

I don't understand why doctors try to start labor early. As long as you aren't having any problems with your pregnancy, I would probably decline. Your baby will come out when he or she is ready! In most cases!!!

[JoyRenee]

My doctor did this with both my daughters, but I didn't have to make a second appointment. She just did it during the cervical exam (all they do is sweep their finger, as Mom23Angels said to separate the bag of waters from the cervix).

Anyway, I had my first daughter within 18 hours and I had my second daughter within 24 hours of having this done. It jumpstarts contractions and labor by causing a hormonal reaction to the bag of waters separating from cervix. Your water MAY break, but that doesn't happen often.

Good luck and YAY! Your baby will be here soon!