Stripping of membranes- thoughts?

[KarenMT]

I am wondering what the pros and cons are for this natural form of induction? I went to 41+1 weeks with my first pregnancy and am now a little over 39 weeks and can see myself going to 41 weeks again. I had a hospital birth last time with an excellent midwife. She stripped my membranes very mildly at 40 wks and it did nothing and she did it again at 41 wks- quite uncomfortable. I went into labor that night. I know there is always a risk of rupturing membranes if done incorrectly. I am also GBS + this time whereas I was negative with my last pregnancy.

For those planning a homebirth do hb midwives generally follow similar practices for natural induction? Just wondering what others have done.

[MsBlack]

I very rarely do anything for inducing, and tend to discourage my clients from doing things also (tho they do decide for themselves--they just get to hear my opinion on natural induction). I do not have an absolute policy against such measures, but definitely not before 42weeks, and not without a good reason concerning baby's/mom's well being. I would be very hesitant to strip membranes on a gbs pos. mom.

[McMandy]

I'm over 40 weeks pregnant, and.. well, its just part of choosing to go all natural. I had my membranes stripped with my son and had him at 39 weeks. I believe my doctor "accidently" stripped my membranes with my daughter and I had her at 37 weeks.

Now I realize that stripped membranes actually made labor more difficult. Neither of my children had really, REALLY dropped (slightly, but not as far as this one has!)... and therefore I had "more work" to do while in painful labor.

I was GBS negative with my daughter, positive with my son, so it is assumed I am positive with this child as well. It's likely I had GBS at some point with my daughter, but at the point of testing, I was negative (GBS is one of those off and on things).

I find that it's been very interesting to just let my body do its own thing... without intervention. I've learned SO much!

[bryonyvaughn]

Honestly my first thought is "Why would your MW not believe your baby would come when it's ready to come?"

So far as cons go you already know about AROM. Do you have a MW who will put you on a 12, 18, or 24 hour countdown to birth vaginally before a cesarean? That would be a huge con for me.

Pain is a con. Allowing HCPs to believe there is something wrong with a normally functioning body and they are needed to intervene regularly is also a con for me.

A possible pro might be during the procedure as well as the ride to and from your partner might watch your other child so you'd get a little "me time". I know that's lame but it's really the best I can come up with. Perhaps others will be more creative.

I don't know your MW but I'd suspect MWs who are willing to strip membranes as a matter or course would be far less tolerant of any variation from their idea of optimal labor pattern when it comes to GBS+ moms.

Originally Posted by KarenMT

...For those planning a homebirth do hb midwives generally follow similar practices for natural induction? Just wondering what others have done.

HB MWs are all over the board. You'll find HB MWs that could go toe to toe with OBs for the horror stories they inflict upon women. Most MWs have varying degrees of faith in the normalcy of the process of birth. Some have UC'd, support UCers, and for those unsure of attended birth are willing to sit outside in their cars throughout the length of labor unless/until invited to come in.

~BV

[DoomaYula]

I wouldn't want to do anything that could cause AROM if you are GBS+. Infection is more common in babies when the water is broken for 18+ hours, I wouldn't want to run that risk.

[KarenMT]

Thanks to all of you- bryonvaugh, mcmandy and msblack for your insight and wisdom. I guess I do trust that my body will go into labor naturally, perhaps I'm just getting a little anxious as I'm at the point of having some severe sciatic pain. I know my midwife only stripped my membranes in my prior pregnancy because there was a lot of pressure from the OBs in the practice to induce after 41 weeks.
I actually feel more at peace now, not having to think of ways to get things going. They will happen on their own.

[Baby Hopes]

OT: You and I are about at the same point in our pregnancy. (I hit 40 weeks tomorrow.) Have you considered visiting a Chiro for your sciatic pain? I went for the first time this pregnancy this last tuesday and it was soo wonderful. PLUS it helped babe move from OP to anterior. I'm headed back tomorrow, assuming I'm not birthing or anything like that.

[Gumby]

I allowed my mw to do this when I was over 43w. In my case, labor started shortly thereafter. It wasn't that uncomfortable, and I was gbs negative, fwiw.

[KarenMT]

Thanks Baby_Hopes. I have been seeing a chiropractor right along. Unfortunately, it only seems to help for a day or two and then flares up again. In the morning it is quite bareable but my mid-day it seems to get worse. The biggest issue is trying to walk my two rambunctious dogs. I am trying to find a dog walker - one of them pulls and that is what is causing all the issues.