HELP...my OB just stripped my membranes without my consent - Page 2

[tireesix]

From my experience, a lot of folks can't strip the membranes very well anyway. Your Ob would have had to get two fingers through your cervix and done a pretty good swipe around really and that is really uncomfortable although I wouldn't necessarily say painful. I have had a few sweeps and the effective ones have been pretty full on stripping, the other MWs 'think' they are stripping the membranes but really, in comparison, they are just tickling the cervix.

So, fingers crossed, she did the crap version and nowt will happen.

That said, what she did was wrong, wrong, wrong. Just after my first babe was born, the Ob shoved a suppository up my backside really roughly, without consent and without telling me he was going to do it and I had really bad piles too and it has REALLY affected me.

For some reason, some docs think that once you go through the door to the hospital that they can do what the hell they like with you and you are supposed to put up and shut up because its just a part of birth and you are supposed to be prepared for all the undignified aspects of childbirth.

Well thats not the way it is AT ALL and they should learn a little respect.

What happened to you was totally wrong, it is something you need to consent to and you didn't and there are potential risks associated to it.

I am really mad for you!

[Turquesa]

Originally Posted by tireesix

For some reason, some docs think that once you go through the door to the hospital that they can do what the hell they like with you and you are supposed to put up and shut up because its just a part of birth and you are supposed to be prepared for all the undignified aspects of childbirth.

Unfortunately, that's sort of the case IF you don't take charge before hand.

I cannot emphasize this enough: Beware of the "Consent to Treat" form that hospitals give you. Most laboring mamas sign anything put in front of them, so it is critical to get all of the paperwork read and signed before the Big Day.

"Consent to Treat" forms pretty much say that doctors and nurses can do whatever the heck they want to you; they get carte blanche over your body and your baby.

CROSS THAT PART OUT AND INITIAL IT. Then add something in the margins about how you require informed consent for all (including the most routine) tests, medications, and other interventions.

Most women don't realize that there is no legal obligation
to sign this form.

It didn't occur to me until now, but the OP probably had to sign one to see her OB... When you find a new OB (and like other posters, I'm urging you to do that!) make sure to alter the "Consent to Treat" form in your "New Patient" paperwork.

[Dana_305]

Originally Posted by PiscesMama24

What should I do? Should I be worried? Is there an increased risk of complications?

OMG I would be LIVID! What a violation to the supreme degree! And hello informed consent anyone??? I know a previous poster recommended reporting the OB to ACOG, but I would seriously make a report to your state's medical board -- that's the organization that grants and renews your OB's medical license and proabably the best route to having this investigated and proper action taken. It's definately not a quick fix, but it's worth it if this doc can be made to understand that these "procedures" MUST NOT be done without consent.

As far as the effects for you and your baby. I agree with other posters, stripping membranes (and most other non-medicated induction techniques sort of AROM) won't put you into labor unless you are ready. I had it done several times in my last pregnancy, along with pretty much every other "natural" and home induction techniques to prevent a forced 42 week transfer to an OB after weeks of prodromal labor, and none of it worked. If membrane stripping was going to jump start your labor, it would have likely done so within the first 12-24 hours.

If you do decide to stay with this OB (and I can't blame you if you're reluctant to switch providers at this late hour), I would personally would not allow any more vaginal exams no matter what. Checking your dilation, or lack of dilation, is not going to tell you how close or far you are from labor.

Sending you lots of restful thoughts for your end of pregnancy, and calm and peaceful labor vibes (when you are READY for them ).

[Cetan Luta]

In addition to being an issue of informed consent, I would think it would be considered somewhat unethical to try to force a woman into premature labor with no compelling medical complications a reason. You should definately report this OB to anyone you can, and I would certainly be looking for a new OB who will at least treat you like a person. So sorry for all the stress to you Mama. And sending you good vibes for a fabulous birth.

[miriam]

Hope you are doing fine.

[Belle]

In addition to the uncosented stripping of membranes. I would seriously be questioning her statement that anything past 40 weeks is post-term.

[mouey77]

It doesn't sound like she actually stripped your membranes. Sounds like she did a cervical check. Particularly if you aren't having any spotting, cramping, or pain.

I'd be pissed about the push to induce at 40 weeks. I would just decline any cervical checks from here on out.