Massaging the cervix - same as membrane stripping?

[JessicaE]

My doula client's CNM "massaged her cervix" without her consent at 41w pregnant. Her water broke about 24 hours later.

Is this is a euphemism for membrane stripping/sweeping? Or something else?

[sweeetpea]

Sweep the membranes
Strip the membranes
massage the cervix
mess with the cervix
play around a bit with the cervix
irritate the cervix
stimulate the cervix
"roughen it up"
aggressive vaginal exam


They pretty much all mean the same thing. Someone sticks his/her hand up a pregnant mama's vagina and runs their fingers around the cervix a few times. Could be fairly gentle, could be very rough. Could be painless, could be excruciating. Often done without knowledge or consent. Often done completely unnecessarily.

[JessicaE]

That's what I thought. Thanks for the info. Sigh.