Talk to me about your experience. When did you have it done, did it help/work, etc.
I’m 40+5 today (DD came at 39+6). Have a doctors appointment tomorrow. I think she’ll talk induction for next Tuesday at 41+4, her next hospital day. I wanted an unmedicated birth and would like to avoid true induction if possible. Wondering if having my membranes stripped is a good option beforehand?
ETA: At last check, I was 1cm, 70-80% effaced and head down and in place.
nectarine / 2288 posts
I had mine stripped at 40+2, went into labor that night and had baby at 40+3. No further help needed with labor.
I think it's a great idea if you're trying to avoid induction. Who knows if it worked or if I would have gone anyway but might as well try. Good luck!
persimmon / 1082 posts
@LindsayInNY: I was in a similar situation with DS and nipple stimulation helped me. I went into labor that evening. I was going to do the membrane sweep but then chickened out. Good luck!!!!
pear / 1599 posts
I had a couple with DS starting at 38w. The last one was at 39+5 and I went into labor that night thankfully. I can remember exactly but I think I was maybe 2cm? It was an aggressive sweep by my midwife and I really think its what did it cause he was perfectly happy staying in. I kept active that day walking a lot and it turned the crampy feeling I had after the sweep into contractions. My induction was for the next morning.
bananas / 9229 posts
@cake2017: I actually googled that too! Maybe what I need to do while sitting on the couch today lol.
clementine / 830 posts
I had it done at 40+3 or 4...I'm not sure it did anything but when I was induced at 40+5 (as I was already 5cm dilated when my membranes were stripped and was walking around that way!) it went very quickly and well, so I'd do it again!
persimmon / 1082 posts
@LindsayInNY: Yup! and I bounced on my yoga ball all evening. He came a couple hours later! If it doesn’t work try the membrane sweep!!
pomegranate / 3759 posts
I had it done twice with all three of my babies. I’ll be honest and say it was very painful for me. It really increased my cramping and helped me dilate slightly. I can’t say for sure it helped start labour however I was never induced and they were 8, 10 and 2 days overdue.
cherry / 120 posts
Had it done for both kids and yes it absolutely helped kick start labor..
For LO1 at 40 +3 days and had him about 36 hours later. I was at a 3 and 80% when I had the membrane sweep.
For LO2 I had it done at 38 weeks and I was a 3, nothing happened.
Then doctor did it again at 39 weeks and I was in between a 3-4 ...this was at 4 p.m. appointment. I went home had dinner and relaxed with LO1 and DH-- and put LO1 to bed at 8:30--then had a baby in my arms at 10:23 p.m.
I was a tad crampy after both sweeps and had some bleeding. I will say both kiddos came very fast, not enough time for medication or barely even made it to labor and delivery tbh 
apricot / 275 posts
I had it done at my 39w appointment. It was at 4pm - I started having contractions around 6pm, baby was born at exactly 4am that night/morning. I was already at 3cm ("maaaaaybe 3.5" according to my doctor) before the sweep though, not sure if that tends to make a difference?
persimmon / 1023 posts
DW had one at 39 weeks that did nothing, had it done again at 40+1 and it was intense! Very uncomfortable/painful for her. But she lost her mucous plug over the next two days and started having contractions at 40+3, he was born early morning at 40+4.
I should add that DW walked miles, bounced on the yoga ball and did nipple stimulation for weeks and saw no change in dilation or readiness from 38 weeks to 40 so I do think it was the sweep that helped. It was a very fast birth like others said too...no time for epidural. Went to hospital at 10:30 and was at 4 cm and he was born just before 1 am. It was crazy and poor DW!
grapefruit / 4361 posts
I had it done with both kids. It didn't help with LO1 but it did with LO2.... I went into labor about 2 hours later even though my OB had said I probably was going to go for another week 
it might have had something to do with my toddler nursing once a day since I turned 7 months....
From what I've read/heard, it is a minor affect but it could be that one thing that puts you over the edge if your body is ready.
pomegranate / 3768 posts
I had a membrane sweep with LO1 a couple days before my due date and went into labor that night!
persimmon / 1111 posts
@LindsayInNY: I had mine done at 3 pm. Had the baby at 530am. I was 38+2 and we stripped my membranes because I wanted to go into labor by myself if possible, before my induction at 39 weeks. My Bishop score was already really favorable.
I walked to my appointment (3 miles), and walked about half way home. Then I walked to the store carrying my toddler. I started getting crampy around 11pm and had very mild cramps and bloody show at 1230am. I started having super mild contractions and realized I was in early labor around 2. We we're at the hospital around 3 and real contractions started around 330. Baby came out easily at 530.
grapefruit / 4584 posts
Had it done w/ DD2 at 39 weeks around lunchtime....was in labor around 5:00 PM and had a baby in arms by 7 PM!!
nectarine / 2951 posts
My OB stripped my membranes both times in my 38th week and it worked. I delivered 36 hours after the sweep for #1 and maybe 48 hours after the sweep for #2?
apricot / 394 posts
My OB stripped mine at 41 weeks with my first. Went into labor that evening 
Good luck!
persimmon / 1259 posts
Mine were stripped on Friday (39+1), didn't deliver until Tuesday morning (39+5)... she must not have been ready yet. Good luck to you!! 
pear / 1992 posts
I had this in my posts from our due date board but figured a summary here would be helpful!
Had mine stripped at 40+3 and my midwife manually moved my cervix more anterior during the process. Walked for a few miles that afternoon and sat/bounced on my ball in the evening. Had stronger, regular contractions but they went away upon going to bed that night.
Had another check/sweep at 40+5 and again walked for a few miles that day. Increased pressure with my BH but they did not turn into regular contractions that time. No bloody show like there was with the first sweep and no change in dilation/effacement (2-3, 50%) between the checks but my cervix did stay more anterior and baby lowered from -2 to -1.
My water ended up breaking in the morning at 41 weeks, baby still did not descend further until much later in labor (with pitocin, epidural). The cord turned out to be wrapped around her neck twice and we think that limited her ability to engage and start labor.
Thinking of you so much and hoping you get to meet your baby soon!!
clementine / 849 posts
It hurt like hell and did nothing for me, unfortunately. Baby was already quite low and I was 3cm so was hopeful, but nada. I believe I was just at 40 weeks. I ended up being induced at 40+5 for borderline BP and all went fairly fast and easy. Good luck!
ETA: I did a ton of research on how to induce labor naturally, and nipple stimulation was probably the most anecdotally and scientifically effective, but for some reason I just could not bring myself to do it!
nectarine / 2461 posts
@lindseykaye: omg scary!
@YogiRunner: same—I had 3 sweeps that were literally more painful than my actual childbirth. Nada.
persimmon / 1064 posts
I've had 4 membrane sweeps--2 separate pregnancies twice each. Performed by three different OBs. Maybe I'm an outlier but...I didn't think they were really that painful? I mean, yes, uncomfortable...but you KNEW the pain was going to be over soon!
None of the sweeps worked, btw. I had (successful) inductions for both
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