stripping membranes...opinions?

[crsta33]

I have a feeling I may be offered this "service" at tomorrow's midwife appt (I'll be 41 weeks) and I'm not sure whether I want to accept or decline.

What are the risks? Does it work? Does it hurt? If you had it done before would you do it again? Do you have to be at least some dilated before they can do it? (I don't think I'm past fingertip)

Just need some helping deciding. I have decided to request an u/s to see if there's anything "obvious" hanging things up and just to reassure myself everything is okay at this point.

Christa

[*MamaJen*]

I don't know the answer, but here are a couple of articles showing different viewpoints...good luck making your decision.

[A Mothers Love]

I would just say...you should never have ANYTHING done to your body you are uneasy with. Reading about it & being informed are your best tools. Good luck!!!

[kittywitty]

I had mine stripped with all three of my kids and it never did anything. I don't consider it useful enough to risk the infection chance, etc. unless absolutely necessary.

[Belleweather]

It never did anything but kinda hurt and get my panties all goopy, so I think I'll be skipping it. I think it's one of those low-key things that practitioners do when women are getting a little edgy so that everyone can feel like they're actually DOING something... even though really, it doesn't DO anything.

[squeakermansmom]

Worked within 48 hours with both of my kids. Didn't know any better with my 1st, didn't really want it with my 2nd but when I turned 41 weeks and knew I was carrying a 9+ lb baby and about to lose my homebirth if I didn't have the baby before 42 weeks we decided to do it with the 2nd. We'll be doing it again at 40+weeks so as to try to avoid the 10 lb baby with shoulder dystocia that I had last time.