Stripping Membranes to Induce Labor
When your pregnancy is considered full term, traditionally at 38 to 42 weeks, your doctor or midwife may suggest a procedure called “stripping” or “sweeping” of the membranes to naturally induce labor. This procedure takes just a few moments but can be quite painful, with lots of pressure and pulling sensations from inside your cervix. Most pregnant women are willing to put up with the pain for a few moments if they think they can get their labor started.
In order to do the procedure you will need to lay back on the examining table as you do with a tradition gynecological exam. Your doctor or midwife will insert their finger (or fingers) into your cervix and pull the membranes, which is your bag of water, away from the mouth of the cervix and the lower uterus. The doctor or midwife will be moving their finger in a sweeping motion as per the name of the procedure. They are “sweeping” and “stripping” the membranes away.
This is where the pressure, and sometimes pain, comes into play. This process causes stretching and irritation in your cervix, which can in turn cause local production of prostaglandins. Your goal is to have enough of the necessary hormones produced to naturally start your labor.
If by the next visit you have not naturally gone into labor your doctor may suggest repeating this procedure. Sometimes it may take 3 or 4 sessions before enough hormone is produced to get labor going.