Pros/Cons to Membrane Stripping?

Question

I am so torn on this and would love opinions based on first hand experiences!

I have the option of getting my membranes stripped on Tuesday (39w2d) but have no idea what to do. At 38 weeks I was dilated only 2.5cm and have lost my mucous plug but no real signs of labor any time soon. I have no major health issues and my OB's office will induce at 41w if labor has not begun. This is my first child and I'd like to avoid being induced but I'm just not sold on membrane stripping.

Thoughts??

Answer

Have the membrane sweep if you are induced it's a horrible experience and nothing like natural. I had one induction and one completely natural and I would take natural anyday! I had my sweep today 39+2 and I was 1cm so it was pretty painful but if I was more it would have been more pleasant

Answer

I was actually doing research on this this morning and only about 24% of women go into labor after having it done, most drs will have you come back in 48 hours to have it done again if labor has not started.

Answer

It's worth a try IMO. I had it done last week and am going to have him try again this week. It's very uncomfortable but only for like 20 seconds. And it won't make baby come too early if they're not ready. It only works if they're ready.

Answer

I had it done Friday and nothing...I'm at 3cm and lost my mucus plug....Sometimes it helps sometimes it doesn't I guess...

Answer

I had it done the last two weeks and nothing :/

Answer

I had one done last week. Just slightly crampy . It didn't put me into labor though

Answer

Had mine done with my first son at 11am and my water broke shortly after 7pm that evening

Answer

My friend's husband is an OB and I asked her about this recently. She said if your body is about to go into labor it can basically kick start it but otherwise it's pointless. She had it done twice with her first and still went to 41+4. Cons are it's supposedly really painful and can introduce bacteria. Pros are if your body is ready you can go into labor. That's my understanding

Answer

Update: unfortunately the doctor couldn't do the membrane sweep today as my cervix was still too far back. Fingers crossed baby comes in this week, otherwise next Tuesday we have to schedule am induction 😔

Thank you all for the input and personal experiences, it really helped prepare me for today's appointment!

Answer

Had it done with my first son and went into labor with him that night at 40w2d and then had it with my second son about 4-5 times and it never worked had to be induced at 41w

Pros/Cons to Membrane Stripping?

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