Now is not a good time to start having problems with my doctors ... Updated

[Liquesce]

I have not had anything but good, respectful, supportive experiences with my group of doctors ... until today. I agreed to an internal exam to check dilation, and since I always find such exams uncomfortable I didn't think anything of the feeling of it -- until the doctor cheerfully chimed in with the information that she'd just swept my membranes "to see if we can't get things started."

So the question is, does anyone know how likely that is to kick-start labor if the baby isn't really ready? This morning I'd have been thrilled to start labor any day, but right now I feel more like if it starts I'm just going to be a mass of worries that it isn't really right yet.

[sarabrynn82]

I know that sometimes women who are really trying to get labor started still end up having their membranes stripped two or three times over the course of a week or two before anything happens - so I would think that if your body/baby really aren't ready that nothing will happen.

Man, it baffles me how often this happens though! I've heard so many stories just like yours...

Anyway, hope all goes wonderfully for you and your labor!

[Synchro246]

Man that sucks. I feel violated for you. But truely it probably won't start labor unless the baby is ready. I would suggest writing a letter (maybe after your baby is born) saying that it's inappropriate to sweep membranes without consent.

One other thing I suggest is to do a little optimal fetal positoning-especially if you feel labor coming on.

[ColinsMommy]

I had my membranes swept (with consent) when DS1 was a week overdue. My mucous plug came out the next day but it didn't put me into labor. You probably don't have anything to worry about, but it's horrible they did it without asking. I would definitely write a letter!

[jstar]

the first time i had mine stripped it didn't do anything. you'll be fine if your body isn't ready

[MoonStarFalling]

I would do more than write a letter. What about infection? Totally inexcusable.

[tammyswanson]

Nice of them NOT to tell you...talk about inconsiderate, or maybe just ignorant... That sucks! I hope things go well for you anyway.

[Pepperdove]

My OB swept my membranes last pregnancy and nothing happened for at least a week, so I don't think it did naything. That's so lame they failed to mention it until afterwards. Hope labor starts if that's what you want, or holds off if that's what you want...

Personally I wish my labor would start, but I have till Monday before I can start thinking stripping and such...

[eminencejae]

Originally Posted by Synchro246

Man that sucks. I feel violated for you. But truely it probably won't start labor unless the baby is ready. I would suggest writing a letter (maybe after your baby is born) saying that it's inappropriate to sweep membranes without consent.

One other thing I suggest is to do a little optimal fetal positoning-especially if you feel labor coming on.

: I have the same feelings about what was done to you. Not that I know anything, but it's replies like this that have kept me going in a peaceful confident zone my whole pregnancy. I think this is great advise! The only opinion that I have that differs from this one is that I would NOT wait until after the baby is born to write a letter. I'd send a letter to everyone I could and I'd probably start looking for another provider or go it alone. I'd tell them that that type of behavior is exactly why I'm doing it too! But that's just me and my incredibly hot miserable crabby mood right now. (I've made tons of firey posts tonight and really hope people understand.) I usually hang out on the UC board but this due date club seems to have more info that interests me right now/things going on. So, again, I'm sorry if I'm butting in on threads too much tonight. Everything everyone has to say has got me totally fired up with a great positive comfort level pertaining to my birthing decision and at the same time, I feel so much dismay and confusion and sadness for how many problems I hear about others having.

Everyone supporting eachother on MDC rocks!

[richella]

Originally Posted by twinangels04

I would do more than write a letter. What about infection? Totally inexcusable.

Not to mention the risk of accidentally breaking the membrane altogether.

But you don't need to worry about that now. Just try to relax, do whatever you would normally do, I know it's easier said than done, but there is no benefit in worrying.

[christyc]

Wow-- I would be SOOOOO peeved over that! But like others have said, it probably won't start things if your body isn't ready. My mebranes separated on their own well over a week before the birth and still nothing...

As the letter writing queen, I have to support the earlier suggestion that you write a letter after all is said and done. Totally inappropriate for them to do that without consent. ARGH!

[txbikegrrl]

Wow -- this really scares me, because "not much is going on down there" according to my OBs and I'm like 38 weeks. So I guess at my next appt, before the VE, I'll ask what the plan is if things haven't really progressed and let them know that I do NOT want any intervention(s)...

[VOBetz]

I'm so sorry that they did that without your consent too.

But I don't think that it works if baby is not truly ready. Don't stress, momma!

And yeah - you need to say something to someone about the inappropriateness of that.

[roadfamily6now]

Originally Posted by twinangels04

I would do more than write a letter. What about infection? Totally inexcusable.

I agree.
I do NOT trust my OB that much to let him anywhere near my cervix past doing IUI's to get me pregnant.

[Synchro246]

You know what I think?

Since this was her last post. . .I think the membrane sweep got something started.
I hope all is well!

[Liquesce]

I think the previous poster is on to something.

I was really appreciating all the responses to this post but was feeling pretty crampy from the exam so I thought I'd come back in the morning and respond ... except somewhere around four in the morning I woke to realize that the crampiness was no longer persistent but distinctly five minutes apart. Sooo ...

Ziad Rashad, born May 16 through an incredibly mellow birth, in part thanks to not worrying quite so much that if the sweep was responsible it might mean problems to the babe. I know info here is generally just anecdotal, but anecdotal evidence was probably enough to keep me from stressing out needlessly and doing damage to the experience. A big "thanks!"

[mum4boys]

congratulations

[SamGroom]

Congrats!!!

[funkygranolamama]

What great news! So happy for you!

[Breathless Wonder]

Congratulations!