TITLE:
The Effectiveness of Foetal Membranes Stripping at 40 Completed Weeks of Gestation on the Prevalence of Late-Term Pregnancies
AUTHORS:
Enow Colbert Bisong, Dohbit Julius Sama, Forchap Nkemanjong Milton, Ebong Cliford Ebontane, Nzometia Crysantus Yimlefack, Neng Humphry Tatah, Theophile Nana Njamen, Mbu Robinson Enow
KEYWORDS:
Foetal, Membranes, Stripping, Prevalence, Late-Term, Pregnancy, Induction, Labour
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.16 No.2,
February
2,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Post-term pregnancy is a high‑risk pregnancy. Objectives: This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of foetal membranes stripping at 40 completed weeks of gestation on the prevalence of late-term pregnancies at the Yaounde Gynaecology-Obstetrics and Paediatrics Hospital (YGOPH). Materials and Methods: Our study is a prospective hospital-based cohort study, conducted over a period of 06 months from February 2023 to July 2023. Three hundred and eighty-eight pregnant women at 40 completed weeks of gestation were enrolled into two groups with: exposed group (those with foetal membranes stripping) and unexposed group (those without foetal membranes stripping). Stripping of foetal membranes was done just once. Participants were followed-up till delivery or attainment of 41 completed weeks of gestation. Results: Post term delivery was significantly lower in the membrane stripping group compared with the unexposed group (12% vs. 43%; P Conclusion: Stripping of the foetal membranes appears to be an effective and safe procedure in reducing the incidence of late-term pregnancies and duration of pregnancy at term in low‑risk population.