Wait...what just happened?!?!

If you are squeamish, you may not want to read further…just know that we could have a baby by the weekend!

Just got back from the doctor’s office for another internal exam. This one was extra interesting because during the exam the doctor (Dr. Delo, who is wonderful) asks me “Do you want me to strip your membranes?” I must’ve looked at her like a deer caught in headlights, because I stuttered and didn’t know what to say… To which she responded “I’m just going to do it.”

For those of you not familiar with the procedure, here is the definition:

Stripping the membranes is where a health care provider will separate your bag of water from the cervix, it is not intended to break your water, however, it may. It may also cause infection, and may be painful for some. The reason that we tell people that we are stripping their membranes is to "get things going" in regards to labor. This little technique is usually done during a vaginal exam at the end of pregnancy, with or without the knowledge or consent of the woman. Stripping the membranes, we are told, is supposed to stimulate production of prostiglandins in the cervix and bring on contractions. I have heard doctors tell my clients after stripping their membranes they will have the baby in two days. While this may appear to work for some, at term it's all a guessing game. There is no scientific work to date that can back up the routine procedure of stripping membranes.

And yes, it felt as lovely as it sounds.

Baby’s heartbeat was 141. My blood pressure was up and I lost a pound, both of which are signs of impending labor. Unreal!