How to dilate yourself...?

I was induced due to preeclampsia as well. My membranes were ruptured by the doctor, and it doesn't hurt at all. Striping your membranes may be uncomfortable, but only slightly more so than the doctor checking to see how dilated you are. I really wouldn't worry about it. My doctor didn't even strip my membranes - we just went straight to cervadil then pitocin to get labour going.