Posted by My OB said WHAT?!?.
Feb
20
Posted by My OB said WHAT?!?.
“Why? Just In Case You’re Dilated To 5CM?”
“Why? Just in case you’re dilated to 5cm?” – OB to mother who requested a cervical exam at the pre-op appointment the day before her scheduled cesarean.
There are 32 comments to this post.
Kimberlee had this to say,
Feb 20, 2011 @ 4:48 pm (Quote)
Why ask why? Because when you realize I AM dialating on my own just fine, you’re afraid I’ll run and have my baby at home where I belong, leaving your pockets empty? Don’t fret doc, atleast I won’t be a burden on you in ‘your’ OR and you won’t have to hear me complain of severe post-op pain for the next 5 days. Kthanksbye!
[Reply]
When I was pregnant with my second son, I desperately wanted a VBAC, but ended up scheduling a repeat c-section. I asked to have an appointment the day before my c-section to have my cervix checked (because if I had started to dilate, I was going to push back the c-section in hopes of going into labor on my own). At the appointment, when I asked my OB to check me, she said, “Why? Just incase you’re dilated to 5cm?” And then she snickered.
[Reply]
Louisa Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 7:17 pm (Quote)
did she check you? Were you dilated? Please tell us the end of the story.
[Reply]
Jeez, we go from “I am going to perform any damn procedure I feel like for no godd reason, and generally without your informed consent” all the way to “I am not going to do anything, and probably because it was your idea”
What the hell? If she asks to be checked, friggin check. She isn’t asking you to tear your own arm off?!?
[Reply]
Susan Peterson had this to say,
Feb 20, 2011 @ 5:21 pm (Quote)
That’s so cruel. WHY?
SFP
[Reply]
Mine made fun of me during surgery to the other Dr assisting. She said, “this is my funny patient. She wanted a vbac and I told her she could try if she came to the hospital dilated to 6 cm.” Snicker.
[Reply]
The answer is not nice but still I think it’s good to ask WHY a woman wants a check. Because most checks are unnecessary, there is a very nice blog article about this.
You want someone to tell you your body works well – but even if you are 1cm dilated it does not mean you can VBAC and even if you are not it does not mean you cannot VBAC. Whatever this check would show it cannot give you ANY security about what will go on if you try it.
Why did you ask for this check and why would a dilated cervix would have made you feel any different about your ability to VBAC?
I think that is a good question although your care provider here does not bother to talk with you about that in a good way…
[Reply]
Lauren Reply:
February 22nd, 2011 at 1:26 pm (Quote)
She was mocking me. She knew I have a history of never dilating or going into labor on my own. I was induced at 13 days past my due date with DS#1 for extremely low amniotic fluid and a failed NST, labored for 24 hours and had lots of complications during that time (baby’s HR dropping, my BP dropping, my blood sugar getting so low that I slurred my speech, etc.), had a c-section and felt the ENTIRE surgery, then hemorrhaged on and off for 4 hours. As terrified as I was of a repeat c-section, I was equally terrified of a VBAC.
To answer your question, I felt that if I was at least somewhat dilated (or effaced, or if the baby had dropped or SOMETHING), that I would have at least a fighting chance at VBAC. My body, for reasons unknown to me, doesn’t seem to like to go into labor on its own.
[Reply]
Lisa Reply:
February 27th, 2011 at 11:20 pm (Quote)
Or perhaps you just gestate longer than “average”. 13 days past the ridiculous Naegle’s due date is normal for a first time pregnancy (average is 41w3d). It’s also common to get dehydrated at the end of pregnancy, causing “low fluid” & there’s some evidence fluid levels drop within a couple days of labour.
Don’t let them convince you there’s something wrong with you just because your body has it’s own schedule and not their one size fits all idiocy.
[Reply]
Lauren Reply:
February 28th, 2011 at 7:24 am (Quote)
I know all of this information now, but I didn’t know it then. But I do have to confirm that my fluid indeed WAS very low…so low, in fact, that when my water broke, the nurse didn’t believe me! When my son was born, his skin was also VERY dry and peeling and his nails were sooo long. I do believe that if I didn’t have him within a few days, something detrimental could have happened.
And in regards to the original post – another reason I wanted an internal exam is b/c of the whole Bishop’s score thing. I REFUSED to be induced, but I do think there is some merit to an internal exam.
[Reply]
Yeah, it was easier to laugh that off when I wasn’t pregnant. Now I’m expecting number four and my ire is back up. I guess I can take some comfort in the fact that I busted her balls at every exam. But I think she got the last laugh. I think about her often, as I drive past her mansion on the hill weekly.
[Reply]
Funny thing too, the nurse at my first visit for this baby casually mentioned that they section at 39 weeks. They don’t want you to go into labour, that would be more inconvenient. Here we go again…
[Reply]
Jane Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 7:00 am (Quote)
THey can’t section a patient who doesn’t show up. You know how forgetful pregnant women are.
[Reply]
Autumn Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 7:25 am (Quote)
Please, please, please call your local ICAN chapter, call the doulas in your area and the homebirth midwives. Together they can all help you find a compassionate, competent provider that can help you have a satisfying birth experience. Obviously if they won’t “let” you reach 39 weeks, they’re not the right group for you either.
I’m so sorry 
[Reply]
I went through all that last time. Saw midwife at a birth center for my prenatals. Then Kansas decided when I was 8 months along that vbac is dangerous (or whatever) so I had to switch to the only practice in my town. Now I’m driving an hour to avoid them, but these new people are just the same. Suggesting a vbac after 3 sections is akin to suggesting that blowing up a building might be fun.
[Reply]
Louisa Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:19 pm (Quote)
Rachel
Wish you the best of luck sweetie. There was a discussion going on unnecessarian about how far women have driven or moved to get a VBAC. One amazing woman left her husband and daughter in Asia and moved herself back to the US to live with a friend for 6 wks just so she could VBAC. While it is harder, it can be done.
[Reply]
devil is in the details Reply:
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:27 am (Quote)
How far is it to the next state line? MO recently got a little more midwife friendly. I don’t know what they would think of VBA3C. But if all else fails you can “adjust” your dates by about 3 weeks. I say inconvience the hell out of them.
[Reply]
I had a similar response to requesting a check. During my VBAC, the nurse came in to say that since my labor had died down, they were going to give me pitocin (to counteract the epidural that had stopped the piggybacking contractions I’d had for 8 hours and let them space out more naturally… and my uterus was taking a freaking break! It was the middle of the night, let me sleep!). I asked for her to check to make sure that I wasn’t making progress before starting the pitocin. She said, “Well, I can go ask the doctor, but I know what he’ll say. Let’s prep for the cesarean!” D:< Because I asked for a CERVICAL CHECK. Something I had wanted to refuse all instances of. I didn't get checked, I did get pitocin and went back to sleep. Woke up ready to push, but it still pisses me off that a probably unnecessary procedure was performed on me without a possibly preventative one. Especially when pitocin almost killed me in my first birth.
[Reply]
Add Your Comment.
Previous Post
« “Your Baby Was A Square Peg Trying To Fit Through A Round Hole.” Next Post
“Well He’s Here Now, So Quit Crying.” »
« “Your Baby Was A Square Peg Trying To Fit Through A Round Hole.” Next Post
“Well He’s Here Now, So Quit Crying.” »
When I was pregnant with my second son, I desperately wanted a VBAC, but ended up scheduling a repeat c-section. I asked to have an appointment the day before my c-section to have my cervix checked (because if I had started to dilate, I was going to push back the c-section in hopes of going into labor on my own). At the appointment, when I asked my OB to check me, she said, “Why? Just incase you’re dilated to 5cm?” And then she snickered.
[Reply]