Comments on: “…I Am Going to Give You A Cervical Massage.”

By: Christina

Christina — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:01:11 +0000

Cervical massage is used for a couple of reasons. One is to attempt to massage scar tissue if the woman has had any previous cervical procedure. Scar tissue prevents the tissues of the cervix from dilating. The other is to get the cervix to relax and recede.

By: Kim

Kim — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:45:57 +0000

With my second child. The nurse massaged my cervix. An hour later my membranes ruptured and I was in active labor for four hours until my son was born. I wish someone would have done this with my first baby. Now that I am expecting my third I would appreciate the help if my labor is not progressing very quickly. I found it uncomfortable but not painful.

By: Heidi

Heidi — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:20:53 +0000

It amazes me. My midwife did not do a single internal exam until after I was in labor and at the hospital (compromise with DH, midwife in the hospital). I had one when I was admitted and 1 after 8 hours of labor (no progress, ended up with a ruptured uterus and C-section which both midwife and mom, who is midwife, agreed was actually necessary). Why do they feel the need to stick their fingers in there all the time?

By: Cindy

Cindy — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:11:55 +0000

I had a 10 lbs 2 week late baby. Membrane stripping, every at home remedy and even a first induction did NOT bring about the birth of my child. the first induction was simply using the pitocin gel. I was 0% and 0cm when i got there and the same 8 hours later. 7 days later I had a full on induction. I asked to have my membranes stripped, it doesn’t “always” work

By: Knitted in the Womb

Knitted in the Womb — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:31:53 +0000

Jill, I always say that there is a time & place for just about every intervention, and you have illustrated that here. I’ve heard of other women who had scar tissue “massaged” to help it break up so they could dilate.

But doing it at 36 weeks, or at ANY time without consent? Not cool.

By: Sheva

Sheva — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:57:28 +0000

A very effective thing to do to prepare the cervix for labor is to massage your own cervix with evening primrose oil (health food store) and take the capsules orally. Once a day, top and bottom. But ONLY once you’re past 36 weeks, because it really works.

By: Alicia

Alicia — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:10:27 +0000

My doctor said that I wasnt dilated and that she could not strip my membranes but she said she massaged the cervix, what does that due, can that bring on my labour or help me to dilate? How soon can it start to help(dilation or labour)Very desperate for this little man to come out!

By: Jill

Jill — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:38:22 +0000

My L & D nurse found some scar tissue on my cervix during her initial exam and she said she massaged it out. I had already ruptured and was in active labor, but was only dilated a fingertip. She said I immediately jumped to 2 cm. Birth was 5 hours later. So my experience of cervical massage was legit. My nurse had an unassisted home birth and was 100% supportive of my natural VBAC.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:38:35 +0000

@ Knitted,

I recently read one CNM say that if the cervix is not dilated enough to allow membrane stripping, “all you can do” is cervical massage (which she thinks/hopes will help ripen the cervix and hasten the onset of labor, the same as with stripping; or else that massaging the cervix will help it to dilate, so that later she can strip the membranes). Never having had either (as far as I know), I couldn’t tell you the difference, but wouldn’t want it either!

By: Knitted in the Womb

Knitted in the Womb — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:31:43 +0000

Actually, I think that “cervical massage” might actually be different than stripping membranes. I’m picturing the care provider rubbing the cervix between two fingers…kind of a super-invasive membrane stripping. As if membrane stripping weren’t bad enough.