Hello,
I recently posted about possibly doing a UC for our first baby, due the end of March sometime. I just wanted to let you know that we have definitely decided on the UC in part due to a disturbing conversation with our doctor at the last visit. On his way out the door, he stated that he would be doing a cervical check at our next apointment (38 weeks). I said, "I would prefer not to do any cervical checks before labor begins," and he then became flustered/upset and stated that he would not approve our homebirth unless I submitted to the cervical check, and that we had a week to think about it. When asked why the check was necessary, he said it was "standard procedure" in his office. When pressed a little further, he said it was so he could be certain the baby was head down (which is just silly; he's been saying it's head down for 10 weeks now and based on how the baby feels, where the hiccups are, and where the leg/arm movements are felt it is very clear to everyone involved that the baby is anterior and head down).
This is not the first time I have felt coerced by this doctor into being a more compliant, unquestioning patient in order to get "approval" for our homebirth. It has become clear that the blood pressue issue (slightly elevated systolic) is NOT a concern of his medically, but that he has been using it as a way to control our behavior (which has not been unreasonable - we just wanted to be included in any decisions regarding my care).
I feel that it would be wrong to submit to the cervical check in exchange for possibly getting approval for the homebirth. I think it would put me in a position where I felt I had no say in anything that happens during birth, because any attempt to even discuss the decision to intervene in the birth process would have him transferring us to the hosptial precipitously.
I'm a bit surprised at myself because I feel like such a rebel - and usually I don't go so far against the mainstream! But I know for certain that at this point, UC is the best choice for myself, my baby, and my husband. My husband is very supportive and we are just now going to order supplies and make sure we have everything we need.
Please bear with me if I have a lot of questions over the next couple of weeks! I just want to make sure we are prepared.
Thanks and please send me good wishes for my first birth and first UC.
Julia
37 weeks #1
I recently posted about possibly doing a UC for our first baby, due the end of March sometime. I just wanted to let you know that we have definitely decided on the UC in part due to a disturbing conversation with our doctor at the last visit. On his way out the door, he stated that he would be doing a cervical check at our next apointment (38 weeks). I said, "I would prefer not to do any cervical checks before labor begins," and he then became flustered/upset and stated that he would not approve our homebirth unless I submitted to the cervical check, and that we had a week to think about it. When asked why the check was necessary, he said it was "standard procedure" in his office. When pressed a little further, he said it was so he could be certain the baby was head down (which is just silly; he's been saying it's head down for 10 weeks now and based on how the baby feels, where the hiccups are, and where the leg/arm movements are felt it is very clear to everyone involved that the baby is anterior and head down).
This is not the first time I have felt coerced by this doctor into being a more compliant, unquestioning patient in order to get "approval" for our homebirth. It has become clear that the blood pressue issue (slightly elevated systolic) is NOT a concern of his medically, but that he has been using it as a way to control our behavior (which has not been unreasonable - we just wanted to be included in any decisions regarding my care).
I feel that it would be wrong to submit to the cervical check in exchange for possibly getting approval for the homebirth. I think it would put me in a position where I felt I had no say in anything that happens during birth, because any attempt to even discuss the decision to intervene in the birth process would have him transferring us to the hosptial precipitously.
I'm a bit surprised at myself because I feel like such a rebel - and usually I don't go so far against the mainstream! But I know for certain that at this point, UC is the best choice for myself, my baby, and my husband. My husband is very supportive and we are just now going to order supplies and make sure we have everything we need.
Please bear with me if I have a lot of questions over the next couple of weeks! I just want to make sure we are prepared.
Thanks and please send me good wishes for my first birth and first UC.
Julia
37 weeks #1
Lol. I've actually never had a pelvic exam, I refuse to submit to doctors. DH is allowed to go in there all he wants, but he is the only one who I trust. Oh, and I think I'll let the baby go through there too (so TOTALLY said tounge-in-cheek, don't take me too seriously)!
: Which, besides being an immoral power play, is not an answer to the question at all. What arrogance.
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