Internal exam before C-section?

[Tinkjon]

Has anyone heard of internal exams being done routinely before an elective C-section, when you're not in labour?

nope,not with either of mine.

No, didn't have one.

No, they dont need to go there unless testing you for GBS.

GBS?

group B strep

why do you ask ? i mean re internals...

Nope with both of mine

maybe it helps assess position and station of the baby

no have 4 c -sections no internals for any

Not with mine either...

So none of you have been tested for GBS then!!!????

lulumama, I had such bad experiences with internals during my last birth and was assuming I wouldn't have to go through that again this time, as I'm having an elective c/s - but then a friend mentioned that she had to have one nayway with her c/s and it got me all freaked out...

GBS not routinely tested for in all areas

tink- you can refuse an internal

for an elective c,s i really cannot think of any reason really, why you would have to have one..except for what i said earlier, but if VEs are traumatic for you,then you can refuse

have you seen the links about birth trauma

Tinkjon you dont have to have any internals if you dont want to, they cant false you, there is no need for one after all.

They dont test for GBS routinely but you can ask for it and they have to oblige.

sorry I meant force!

lulumama, yes I have seen the birth trauma links, thanks - I actually read your thread about them a few days ago and I meant to say earlier that I really appreciated it! Everyone seemed to think I was just making a fuss at the time and nobody took me seriously - I'm pretty much over it now (though flashbacks are coming back a little with this 2nd pg) but it was only a few weeks ago that a midwife told me I'd suffered from PSTD. I'd not seen this mw in my 1st pg and I felt like yelling "yes, I know - now where were you 4 years ago when you could've helped me?!"

i was getting over my own traumatic birth , but am glad to say it is all behind me, and i am passionate about helpign other women to have a positive birth and to have their voices heard when things don;t go well x

no, there's absolutely no need. However, please be aware that a urinary catheter will be inserted after your spinal has 'taken'. This is done on the theatre table and there may be lots of peopple milling around. You may want to write in your birth plan that you would like the utmost respect and discretion when this is being done. I did this with DS1. Having been there before, I couldn't really care what anybody saw with DS2 .

Your friend may have had one to check whether she'd progressed before making the final decision to do a c-section, or it may be as Highlander says to site the catheter.

I hope it goes well and is a more positive experience that with your first birth

Thanks for the tip about the catheter, Highlander. I did end up with a c/s with my last birth, so I was aware that was done - but frankly as long as they do it after the spinal I'm not that fussed I've heard about people having it done before the spinal so I've written in my birth plan that they're absolutely not allowed to do that. But do any of them actually read the birth plan, I wonder?!

make sure either you or you and your birth partner draw attention to the birth plan, particularly that bit....Dh was good at pointing out bits of my birth plan that were particularly relevant..

I had cs with no labour and had no internals done at any stage. Catether inserted after spinal - there were lots of people there but the curtain was up so I couldn't see and to be honest I didn't care at all!

emergency c - no internal never heard of it

TBH once it all went to theatre i didnt care just wanted baby out and safe - fortunately no after problems either

I had 2 elective CS and never had anyone even go near that end never mind internals. Even after the spinal block it was just straight on with slicing me open . Hope it all goes OK for you.