did she strip my membranes?

[shellbell]

This was 10 years ago, but I just read another thread about this and it got me thinking. When I was pregnant with my first daughter 10 years ago, I had my last midwife's appointment before going into labor. She did a very painful VE... and then said that I might be uncomfortable for a while that day. Never specified if she did anything different from a regular vaginal exam. Well, not only was I very uncomfortable for the day, but I bled also. Had the baby a couple days later.

So, is it likely that she stripped my membranes without informing me?

[Mrs.Floyd]

Well, I've never had it done, but I hear that when they do it it's a *much* more uncomfortable exam than usual. Especially if she told you to expect to be uncomfortable for awhile, that kind of sounds like what happened.

A little OT, but I plan on refusing VE's just so there's no opportunity for someone to do that w/o my consent.

[shellbell]

I too plan on refusing any future VE's now that I know better. It just dawned on me today that what I experienced was probably uninformed sweeping of the membranes. It's too late to be angry about, but it's another reason I would be much more vocal and probably homebirth if I ever have any more children.

Shell

[jennica]

Originally Posted by shellbell

I too plan on refusing any future VE's now that I know better. It just dawned on me today that what I experienced was probably uninformed sweeping of the membranes. It's too late to be angry about, but it's another reason I would be much more vocal and probably homebirth if I ever have any more children.

Shell

Yes, I believe your membranes were stripped without your consent. Join the club : You might still be angry about it, even though it happened a long time ago. If I ever have another baby, nobody will be allowed anywhere near my vagina.

[erthe_mama]

I know it's a bit premature for a real "decision" on this, but, as an aspiring midwife, I plan to *only* do VE's when asked. I wish I could also do only home birth, but Ontario requires that I attend 5 hospital births per year. *pouts*

[flyjawn]

Originally Posted by erthe_mama

I know it's a bit premature for a real "decision" on this, but, as an aspiring midwife, I plan to *only* do VE's when asked. I wish I could also do only home birth, but Ontario requires that I attend 5 hospital births per year. *pouts*

my midwives were all excellent about staying away from ve's unless asked by me. they also did everything possible to allow my homebirths to happen, even when my water broke 36+ hours before labour started.

if you want to only do homebirths, won't a percentage of those end up as transfers anyways? don't those count as hospital births?

to the OP - i'm horrified that someone could strip your membranes without asking or discussing it first.

[Midwife Kris]

Originally Posted by shellbell

This was 10 years ago, but I just read another thread about this and it got me thinking. When I was pregnant with my first daughter 10 years ago, I had my last midwife's appointment before going into labor. She did a very painful VE... and then said that I might be uncomfortable for a while that day. Never specified if she did anything different from a regular vaginal exam. Well, not only was I very uncomfortable for the day, but I bled also. Had the baby a couple days later.

So, is it likely that she stripped my membranes without informing me?

She might have, she might not have. I warn any woman who requests a late term VE that it might be uncomfortable and there may be bleeding and cramping to follow. Some women have exactly what I warned about and some women have none of it. If I am going to go further and strip the membranes per previous agreement and which I will only determine after I start the VE, she will be informed just as she will that it isn't possible for whatever reason.

I don't know how anyone can determine from reading your description that your membranes were stripped.

[merrijayne]

I had mambranes stripped twice. Once by a doc without consent. I didn't even know what it was at the time. Second time by a CNM i was aware of what she was doing. She did it gently without much of a result. i went another week i think. Now my midwife only did an intial VE and then at 40 weeks. Nothing other then that.