Stripping of the Membranes?

Is stripping of the membranes a safe and effective way to induce labor naturally?

The answer to the second part of the question - is it effective - is a yes. Most moms will go into labor within a few hours - or days - after this procedure is done.

The answer to - is this safe - is not as clear cut. Nothing is as safe as letting nature follow its course however it is by far safer than a drug induced induction. The 2 major risks of stripping the membranes are:

1) An increased risk of infection as with any internal exam

2) The risk of breaking your bag of water by mistake

How is Stripping of the Membranes Performed?

Stripping membranes to induce labor does not involve stripping anything. Rather it is performed by inserting two fingers into the vagina and with a gentle sweeping motion loosening your mucous plug - if you have not already lost it - and your bag of water away from your cervix.

Most mothers report this procedure as being uncomfortable if not downright painful. Obviously, trying to sweep the membranes when your cervix is not soft and dilated - at least 2 centimeters - will make the procedure more painful as well as less likely to succeed.

Why Does Stripping the Membranes Work?

The reason stripping the membranes to induce labor works is because disrupting the attachment of your bag of water will cause your uterus to contract. Some have also said it releases oxytocin - natural pitocin - the hormone which makes your uterus contract.

As always remember that any induction - natural or not - carries risks. It is imperative to make sure than the benefits of an induction outweigh the risks. But then again, if you must be induced, trying a natural method certainly makes more sense than an unnatural one don't you think?

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