I would report it so maybe it wont happen to anouther mama. She should follow the procedures of the practice or work somewhere else. Did you say you consented to the stripping? 37 weeks seems a bit early to me.
~Angela~
~Angela~
The Ethics of membrane stripping?
Hello all your wonderful birthing centered women! First let me say how much I appreciate all you do...
I have a question about membrane stripping. With pg#1 I had a CNMW strip my membranes without asking when I came to the office for my week 37 check up. I was only 1.5cm dilated and 70% effaced. I had had no problems with the prgnancy - no BP probs, no protein in urine, etc. I ended up going into "labor" (I use that term loosly) that night and had such unproductive contractions for so long that I ended up needing every intervenion but a CS to get dd birthed (so much for natural).
My question is this: I have since learned that the CNMW did not notate that she striped my membranes on my chart, and that the office policy is that stripping is only done at 40+ weeks, generally. Should I bring this to the attention of the Doctors in the practice? This CNMW is the most Sr. on staff. I just feel very wronged by the whole thing. Am I out of my mind?
Any insight would be so appreciated.
Thanks!
I have a question about membrane stripping. With pg#1 I had a CNMW strip my membranes without asking when I came to the office for my week 37 check up. I was only 1.5cm dilated and 70% effaced. I had had no problems with the prgnancy - no BP probs, no protein in urine, etc. I ended up going into "labor" (I use that term loosly) that night and had such unproductive contractions for so long that I ended up needing every intervenion but a CS to get dd birthed (so much for natural).
My question is this: I have since learned that the CNMW did not notate that she striped my membranes on my chart, and that the office policy is that stripping is only done at 40+ weeks, generally. Should I bring this to the attention of the Doctors in the practice? This CNMW is the most Sr. on staff. I just feel very wronged by the whole thing. Am I out of my mind?
Any insight would be so appreciated.
Thanks!
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Quote:
I have you learned this by reading your client records from that office? If so, I would make an appointment with the same midwife and request she review your records with you. I think this would be more effective than making a complaint with the practice. If you were not satisfied with what your conversation revealed, then you could stop by the front desk on your way out and make a complaint.
Originally Posted by MamaRainebeau My question is this: I have since learned that the CNMW did not notate that she striped my membranes on my chart, and that the office policy is that stripping is only done at 40+ weeks, generally. Should I bring this to the attention of the Doctors in the practice? This CNMW is the most Sr. on staff. I just feel very wronged by the whole thing. Am I out of my mind? |
I certainly did not consent to the stripping.
I found out there was no notation on my chart because I mentioned (to a PA in the practice) that I went into labor early last time because my membranes were stripped and she said "hm, that's funny. There's no note that they stripped you."
I don't really want to speak to the MW directly. I think there is more motivation to her actions than I am comfortable discussing. In part, we have some religious differences that I think came into play for her.
I found out there was no notation on my chart because I mentioned (to a PA in the practice) that I went into labor early last time because my membranes were stripped and she said "hm, that's funny. There's no note that they stripped you."
I don't really want to speak to the MW directly. I think there is more motivation to her actions than I am comfortable discussing. In part, we have some religious differences that I think came into play for her.
Quote:
I wholeheartedly agree.
Originally Posted by metromidwife I have you learned this by reading your client records from that office? If so, I would make an appointment with the same midwife and request she review your records with you. I think this would be more effective than making a complaint with the practice. If you were not satisfied with what your conversation revealed, then you could stop by the front desk on your way out and make a complaint. |
I wholeheartedly agree.
2
Unfortunately, if you're unwilling to meet with her and there's no notation of it having been done, then you really don't have any recourse. There's a saying I use: "if you didn't chart it, it didn't happen." Unfortunately, that can be bad for both midwife and a midwife.
Can I ask why, if you were so unhappy with the experience, you've returned to the same practice? Also, did she tell you she stripped your membranes, or was it just such an intense vag exam that you figured that out? It seems like so many providers lately have just made membrane stripping a part of vaginal exams and don't even know how to do a vag exam without being agressive like that
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I had a similar experience, although I did consent to the stripping. It resulted in PROM and a LONG, painful, entirely avoidable induction
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. Live and learn!!
Can I ask why, if you were so unhappy with the experience, you've returned to the same practice? Also, did she tell you she stripped your membranes, or was it just such an intense vag exam that you figured that out? It seems like so many providers lately have just made membrane stripping a part of vaginal exams and don't even know how to do a vag exam without being agressive like that
I had a similar experience, although I did consent to the stripping. It resulted in PROM and a LONG, painful, entirely avoidable induction
I had no idea what membrane stripping even was until this happened. As she was doing the exam she said something to the effect of (with hand inserted and actually doing it as she spoke)
"I'm going to strip your membranes. it may hurt a little. " Then she went on to describe what exactly it entailed etc as I tried not to jump off the table from the pain.
As far as the question of why go back to the practice goes - I really have little choice.
I am in a very rural area. This is the closest practice within an hour of me. There was one other OB in town but he just left. There is no such thing as legal Midwifery in my state without being a certified nurse MW. I will hopefully be using a mennonite CNMW who attends homebirths for the birth itself (at the hospital though, as dh won't go for a HB due to our distance from the hosp should something go awry) but she does not offer prenatal care as she work full time in L and D at the hospital birthing center.
I'm most concerned about having to deal with the practice. I don't want to have exams with this MW so I'm scheduling them on her day off. I am also concerned that this MW is doing this kind of thing to other women. As for the "If it wasn't charted it didn't happen thing" that's rediculous...Drs. could then get away with all sorts of chicanery. My dh was with me holding me down practically when it happened. Lack of notes be damned.
"I'm going to strip your membranes. it may hurt a little. " Then she went on to describe what exactly it entailed etc as I tried not to jump off the table from the pain.
As far as the question of why go back to the practice goes - I really have little choice.
I am in a very rural area. This is the closest practice within an hour of me. There was one other OB in town but he just left. There is no such thing as legal Midwifery in my state without being a certified nurse MW. I will hopefully be using a mennonite CNMW who attends homebirths for the birth itself (at the hospital though, as dh won't go for a HB due to our distance from the hosp should something go awry) but she does not offer prenatal care as she work full time in L and D at the hospital birthing center.
I'm most concerned about having to deal with the practice. I don't want to have exams with this MW so I'm scheduling them on her day off. I am also concerned that this MW is doing this kind of thing to other women. As for the "If it wasn't charted it didn't happen thing" that's rediculous...Drs. could then get away with all sorts of chicanery. My dh was with me holding me down practically when it happened. Lack of notes be damned.
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