SPD, labour and checking cervix

[Harbot]

I'm 34 weeks pregnant and have bad SPD and gestational diabetes. I am therefore going to be giving birth in a maternity unit in hospital and it looks like I will be induced at 37-38 weeks (baby is very big and I am quite small - although I think that early induction is pretty routine at 38 weeks for those with GD).

I'm quite concerned about positions during labour, and am getting myself into a bit of a state about him (the bab) getting stuck, especially if I am in a lying down position. I'm also unable to open my legs very far due to the SPD. I've heard that the midwives often try and get you to 'pop on the bed' on your back in order to check cervix dilation. I really don't want to have to do this and have also heard that the midwives can check your cervix whilst you're on all fours, but they prefer not to as it's less easy than getting you up on the bed with legs wide apart.

So, I wondered whether anyone had any actual experience of this? Has anyone refused to get into the standard position for checking the cervix? I would like to be able to refuse to get into the lying down position, but I also don't want to do anything silly which will ultimately harm the baby (ie the midwife then not being able to check whether it's time to push and me pushing too early etc etc). I suppose I'm looking for some back-up!

Any comments / suggestions / experiences gratefully received!

I've posted this in the Childbirth section too.

[NAR4]

As far as I understand, it is up to you if you want your cervix checked or not. I think it only tells the midwife how dilated you are, so if you are ready to push or not. Do a bit of research on the internet, but I don't think there is any need to have it done at all.

[Cheeseandonioncrisps]

Hey, no advice about checking cervix but just wanted to say don't worry about baby getting stuck. I gave birth to my LO 11 weeks ago, and this was my fear, knowing that he was going to be a big boy. I delivered my 10lb 11oz whopper in about 4 pushes - just gas and air. I also had SPD and wish I had made how far I could open my legs clearer to the midwives (as once in labour it masked the pain from the SPD) as afterwards I found walking very difficult. All the best :D

[HowlingOScara]

I was induced (overdue) so was confined to bed due to being attached to drip etc. also, baby had to have a scalp monitor attached. I had it clearly documented all over my notes that I had SPD and shouldn't be put in any position that could exacerbate it. I also told the midwives early in labour.

As it happens, I had to have more internal examinations than normal as baby had to have a blood sample taken from her scalp during labour as well as the monitor having to be repositioned a few times. These were carried out with my thighs apart but feet together so minimal movement of pelvis. I pushed lying on my side with one leg elevated slightly (resting on the leg rest thing attached to the bed) until the last couple of pushes where I was on my back (but sitting semi upright rather than laid flat). the only time my legs were spread wide was for the repair of a tear afterwards. The midwives carefully placed my legs in the rest as close together as possible and still give them access to the tear to stitch it up. I was up and walking about a few hours later with no significant pelvic pain at all after the birth. In fact it was such a relief to be able to comfortably turn over in bed for the first time in months just a few hours after giving birth :)

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

I was advised to make sure 'SPD - avoid lithotomy position' was on the front of my notes and also on my birth plan. I asked my community midwife to ensure it was on my notes and my DH was briefed to advocate for me in labour. A midwife friend also suggested this: open your legs as far as you can comfortably - get you partner to loosely loop string round one leg and tie a visible knot at the comfortable distance. Take the string in your labour bag and you can then use that as a measure in labour. I didn't use this technique in the end as I had a fast active labour kneeling on the bed but I think it would work. Luckily my hospital midwife worked with me as she'd had SPD and understood my fears.