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The Curious Bag
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A normal human pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. If a baby fails to make an appearance by its due date, then the health-care provider may offer to perform a procedure known as stripping the membranes, which can help induce labor.
The Procedure
Stripping the membranes is also called membrane sweeping. A health-care provider performs the procedure during a vaginal exam by using a finger to separate the bag of waters (which is composed of membranes) from the uterine wall.
Effects
It is believed that detaching the bag of waters from the uterine wall releases hormones that help soften the cervix. The uterine wall is stimulated during the procedure, which also may help in starting labor.
Pain and Spotting
Many women experience cramping and discomfort when having the membranes stripped. Vaginal spotting for up to three days is a normal side effect.
Warning
Membrane stripping is not recommended for women who test positive for group B strep infection, or who have been advised that they should not deliver vaginally.
Considerations
Stripping membranes does not always induce labor. In fact, for some women, it does not work at all. Evidence suggests that stripping membranes is most helpful for women very close to beginning labor on their own. If the body isn't ready yet, then stripping the membranes is of little use.
Source:
"Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health;" Stripping Membranes; Vol. 54, Issue 3; May 2009
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