If your midwife said this...

[akblaze]

Thanks everyone for the responses, however I understand the pros and cons of cervical checks in pregnancy and in labor. This was not my question!

My question was simply...

Is it odd my midwife claims she can tell how dilated a woman is just by looking at her hips when sitting at an appointment? Or is there evidence that this can be accurately done?


With a history of preterm labor (out of no where) I have my reasons for wanting cervical checks in 3rd tri. At least if we know my cervix is changing then I can take it easier. And I know I can dilate and stay that way for WEEKS and not deliver (I was 6 cm from 32-35 weeks), however, after a previous PTL and NICU stay I prefer to be monitored a little closer. And Yes, some women with a history of PTL DO get cervical checks earlier in pregnancy to check for dilation/effacement.

 

[JessPape]

As mentioned there is some truth to the hips thing , but I think there is more truth to the purple line.

I also believe a good midwife that supports you would be willing to do cervical checks if you asked for them.

 

[akblaze]

As mentioned there is some truth to the hips thing , but I think there is more truth to the purple line.

I also believe a good midwife that supports you would be willing to do cervical checks if you asked for them.

I found the purple line thing quite interesting!! I had no idea about that during my first pregnancy. Of course I had a by the book OB!
And thank you for your response!

 

[Misscalais]

I was never checked prior to labour with both my boys. It's not something they normally do at the clinic we went to. And an experienced midwife can tell when I women is at 10 my last one knew I didn't need to be checked. In two pregnancies I only had three checks all at my request. 2 times with 1st bub and once with 2nd bub.
If you want to be checked I don't think they can refuse to?
I'd see another one if I were you due to previous experience you had, and honestly I think she sounds a bit wacky lol!

 

[JessPape]

As mentioned there is some truth to the hips thing , but I think there is more truth to the purple line.

I also believe a good midwife that supports you would be willing to do cervical checks if you asked for them.

I found the purple line thing quite interesting!! I had no idea about that during my first pregnancy. Of course I had a by the book OB!
And thank you for your response!

I've heard about it from lots of doula's and midwifes.. OB's... like to rush things, a lot of the times. Its very rarely that you find a OB that doesn't want to use interventions when they aren't needed. (least where I am)

 

[akblaze]

I was never checked prior to labour with both my boys. It's not something they normally do at the clinic we went to. And an experienced midwife can tell when I women is at 10 my last one knew I didn't need to be checked. In two pregnancies I only had three checks all at my request. 2 times with 1st bub and once with 2nd bub.
If you want to be checked I don't think they can refuse to?
I'd see another one if I were you due to previous experience you had, and honestly I think she sounds a bit wacky lol!

I was never checked with DD either, until I had a tiny bit of spotting at 32 weeks, went to L&D and they said I was 5cm. Their jaw hit the floor! Then I was checked quite often the next couple of days that I was in the hospital. I quit progressing at 6cm so I begged them to send me home. When I went for a check up a week later my OB checked me and I was still 6cm but DD moved back up. (she was so indecisive) So after I went into PTL I was pretty routinely checked. I just want to be checked this time because if we see that I'm dilating early I know to take it easier!

She is a new midwife, she just graduated less than 6 months ago so when I found that out I got even more hesitant.. just because of my situation I'd rather have someone more experienced with preterm labors. Someone who won't be afraid to check me to give me some peace of mind if I ask for it! Luckily, cervical checks were never painful for me so I didn't mind asking for one!
I've decided to see the other midwife, she's the one that offered me the progesterone injections (which I wanted).. the first midwife (the one mentioned above) didn't want to give me the injections because she prefers to stay hands off. however, I want to do ALL I can to avoid a PTL and NICU stay! I want a midwife that understands that, so, we've decided to switch

As mentioned there is some truth to the hips thing , but I think there is more truth to the purple line.

I also believe a good midwife that supports you would be willing to do cervical checks if you asked for them.

I found the purple line thing quite interesting!! I had no idea about that during my first pregnancy. Of course I had a by the book OB!
And thank you for your response!

I've heard about it from lots of doula's and midwifes.. OB's... like to rush things, a lot of the times. Its very rarely that you find a OB that doesn't want to use interventions when they aren't needed. (least where I am)

I agree that OB's like to rush things! That's the main reason I want a midwife this time. DD's labor was going so smooth. I was doing it 100% natural and was handling contractions fantastically! I quit progressing at 8cm (for like an hour), she broke my waters which didn't help, so she started me on pitocin (I turned into a big baby then) and she gave me a shot on my cervix for pain (which didn't help). She didn't give me an option on either of those, just came in and said "here we are doing this"
I understood DD was early so things would be going differently but come on!! I got to the hospital at 5:15am and she was delivered at 9:44am!!! So it's not like I was taking forever! I felt like she just wanted the delivery to be done since it was a Saturday morning!
I want to avoid that this time.. and she didn't let DH cut the cord, which I'm STILL devastated about!

 

[JessPape]

Sounds like quite the experience. Yea my OB pushed a lot of crap that shouldn't have happened. Nor was it needed

 

[ladybugz]

Hmm for me I would like to be checked at the end of pregnancy and during labor. I like to know my progression as labor goes on. I guess you need to follow your heart as to which midwife fits your needs.