Midwife has really long nails!!

[Janefx40]

I'm not sure if this is normal or not but it's the first time I've noticed it. This is my first baby and I'm 39+4. I went in yesterday for a sweep and the midwife had long nails - about 2.5cm from base to tip (or 1cm protruding from her finger).

They weren't painted or anything so I don't think it was a fashion thing (not that that would make a difference).

Obviously she wore gloves but I was really surprised and not sure I could cope with this for the actual delivery.

She was so lovely and I didn't want to say anything but I could feel them poking into me as she touched my cervix.

Is that a normal thing? I've not noticed it amongst other midwives I've seen but then I've not had an internal examination before.

Not sure whether to bite or or here?

It's her business how long her nails are and it would be the very last thing on your mind during delivery.

She won’t be delivering your baby. I can’t say I noticed any of my midwives nails.

No it's not normal. I have worked in healthcare and the rule of thumb tends to be that you shouldn't see your nails over your fingertips if you hold your hands up, palms facing you.

All sorts of crap and bacteria gathers under nails, keeping them short helps to minimise that and they are easier to wash and keep clean.

I believe if you can feel her nails digging into you, you should mention it to her, nothing rude, just say something, that's quite uncomfortable, it feels like your nails are digging in to me.

If your hairdresser was hurting you, you would mention it, why not a midwife?

There are certain jobs that say short nails ie food prep, so saying it's her business is daft. There may be rules in place, you don't know.
Op I must admit when I read your post I was wincing for you, I would not like claws up my foof either!

Cross Infection Prevention guidance dictates that nails should be kept short

Nurses are not allowed to have long nails. It's very unhygenic. On the very rare occasion when an agency nurse has turned up with talons they have to go and cut them before starting work. If you meet her again just say no your nails are too long and it hurts.Gloves tear too easily. Yadnbu.

my nails were pretty long when DD was born and it was the midwives who pointed out that long nails are a pain with a baby - they were right and I got DH to bring my nail scissors in when he visited! None of them had long nails and I'm very surprised at this and I wouldn't like it at all.

If your hairdresser was hurting you, you would mention it, why not a midwife?

Yes, that's fair.

She shouldn’t have long nails, it’s against infection control policies. The midwife delivering your baby won’t have long nails, they wouldn’t get away with it in a hospital and someone would soon spot it and make them cut them.

How utterly bizarre to say it’s the midwife’s business how long her nails are. First, I’m pretty sure there’s guidance for nurses and midwives on the length of their nails, for safety reasons, and second, I think it’s the OP’s business when said nails are going inside the OP’s body.

All nurses are supposed to have short nails surely, if only for hygiene reasons. When I was nursing it was mandatory....

It's her business how long her nails are

Not when she's giving internal examinations to patients it isn't! I wouldn't be happy with that either, OP.

She shouldn't have long nails.
I would mention it politely.

I would have said something, you shouldn't be physically uncomfortable because of her preference to have long nails against guidelines, no way would I have let her do an internal examination had I noticed. Nothing wrong with saying something/complaining now though, save another poor woman the discomfort of an examination with talons.

at it's her business.

I would definitely mention it for all the reasons given above.

This is reminding me of the discussion on another thread at the moment about the length of lesbians’ fingernails! YANBU.

please complain to the hospital about this.

No it's not normal her nails shouldn't be long. I'm amazed that she can grow long nails with all the hand washing and alcohol gel she should be using.

I’m a nurse/midwife and can tell you that long nails are definitely not permitted and it doesn’t matter how lovely the person is . In fact I’m pretty sure that carrying out a vaginal exam or sweep with long nails would be seen as a disciplinary matter . Not only would it be extremely painful but if doing a sweep it could cause premature rupture of membranes or trauma to the cervix . I’ve actually never seen a colleague with long nails whilst on duty . A lot of nurses apply temporary false nails on time off but they have to be removed before going on duty .
I’m mystified by some of the replies that said that it was that it was only the midwife’s business re whether her nails were long or not . It appears that some people are willing to put out with poor standards from health care professionals .

I wouldn’t like it either op.
It’s unprofessional and doesn’t adhere to infection prevention guidelines.
Definetly say something

My midwife had long nails, I would not recommend it.

She also had very long hair, not tied up at one point with inevitable and disgusting results.

Thanks everyone. I'm not bad at expressing myself in some ways but this seemed quite personal plus I really wanted my sweep and chickened out of saying anything. I was hoping that maybe the fingers she was going to use had shorter nails but just before she started I saw they were no different to the rest (and then felt it as I said).

Luckily (in some ways) my cervix was too closed for a proper sweep so she didn't get right the way in there! I'm going back on Thursday for another - when she booked the next appointment she said it was a shame but she wasn't in that day. I was secretly quite relieved!!

@JaneFx40 - good luck with the birth! Please pop back on the conception board to update us.

And yes, that sounds grim !