[Stripping of the membranes for induction of labour (author's transl)]

Stripping of the membranes for induction of labour is "harmless to mother and infant in contra-distinction to the induction of labour by artifical rupture of the membranes. Our results show that stripping of the membranes has no influence on labour and delivery, on the rate of operative deliveries and on the duration of the third stage of labour. There is no appreciable increase in puerperal morbidity. The Apgar Score remains unchanged. The success rate of stripping of the membranes defined as delivery within 48 hours after stripping of the membranes is related to the state of ripening of the uterine cervix and to the ease with which the membranes can be stripped. These factors should be considered for the indication of stripping of the membranes. The success rate can then be increased. Our overall success rate of induction of labour by stripping of the membranes was 60.8%. The success rate of stripping of the membranes in multiparous women is slightly but not significantly better than in primparous women. The age of the patient has no influence on the success rate.