Is bleeding normal after having your membranes stripped?
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The process of stripping the membranes is a practice that has been used for many decades. The purpose of the procedure is generally to help get labor going when a woman is at or past her due date. The stripping of the membranes involves separating your bag of waters from the cervix. Stripping of the membranes is not the same as breaking your water, although it is possible that stripping your membranes may break your water.
Stripping of the membranes is typically done in your health care provider’s office. A digital exam is first performed; then, the health care provider uses a gently sweeping motion to separate the membranes. The procedure is relatively quick and generally painless, except for the discomfort involved in a digital vaginal exam.
This procedure may help to stimulate your body’s production of prostoglandins. Prostoglandins will help to ripen the cervix, and can also help to bring on contractions. Many health care providers suggest that, once the membranes are stripped, labor will come within two or three days at the most. Research on this point is contradictory, however; some studies seem to suggest that stripping the membranes does indeed help to get labor to happen more quickly, but other studies seem to suggest that stripping the membranes may have no effect.
There has been some concern about the safety of stripping the membranes. Most research suggests that this procedure is safe. There is some concern that the process may put the mom-to-be at a greater risk of infection. You should discuss these risks with your health care provider.
It is fairly common for a woman to bleed after having her membranes stripped. If this bleeding is prolonged or excessive, you should discuss this with your health care provider. Excessive bleeding may be a sign of a different or unrelated problem.
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