Finally got round to complaining about my sweep

[eddm]

Tell me I've done the right thing... have probably bored the pants of lots of people here by mentioning my experience on several threads but basically community midwife did a sweep without even telling me what she was about to do, let alone asking for permission. DS is now 61/2 months and have finally got round to writing to the director of midwifery. But phrased it as feedback rather than complaint in an attempt to be constructive (or maybe just wimping out). Now worrying that I've been too hard on someone who is probably not that bad at her job, or that it doesn't matter that much in the great scheme of things... but then again, what about women who have suffered sexual assault, maybe my feedback will stop this midwife causing someone else huge trauma?

anyone?

Quite right too. Good job - glad you managed to pluck up the courage to do it!

Well done!

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eddm,
I'm sorry for my ignorance, but whats a sweep?

Lisa- a sweep is where a MW inserts a finger and sweeps your mebranes.... it is a form of induction.

Eddm - WELL DONE.... Too often MW get away with it! Please let us know what they said !

phew, thanks, was bricking it a bit there. LOL at edam, truth is boring, just my son's initials (used to be 'hisname'smum but posted too many identifying details and recommended MN to everyone I know)

thinking about it am about the same shape as the cheese though

You definately did the right thind eddm. It will make midwives think about what they are doing in the future.

bloody hell eddm (or may I call you edam )
You HAVE done the right thing - that shouldn't have happened to you. I hope you feel better for writing to the director - let us know what sort of response you get

yes, you have definitely done the right thing! The same thing happened to me with DS1. She was supposedly checking to see if my waters were trickling and she just did the sweep then and there without warning me. She was very rough and it was agony.

I wish I had complained. But even now 2.5 yrs later I think I will write.

Go for it RexandBen, I'm feeling all empowered now... and thanks for your support Mears, that's very encouraging. I did mention that I was happy with my usual community midwife so I'm not anti your profession. Will let you know if/when I get a response. Funnily enough have been invited to become a member of the electorate that chooses people to run the hospital (complicated new governance arrangements for foundation hospitals). They won't know what's hit them! Am now off for more s*ing packing for moving house...

For what it's worth, I also think you have absolutely done the right thing to complain. At the very least it will help you feel better about it. There are things about the birth of my ds which I feel annoyed about now, but nothing to which I did not give permission - that would feel awful. It's quite a topical issue for me at the moment because I am 33 weeks pregnant and probably going to have a doula this time as I am worried about not being listened to and it's horrible to be in a state where you can't really talk.

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