Declining examinations in hospital

[happynappies]

Hi,

I'm pg with #2, and having had a traumatic birth first time around, I'm analysing every little thing that lead to my cascade of intervention, and obviously want to avoid it next time. I know a homebirth would be the ideal, but for various reasons it isn't an option, so assuming I'm in hospital, how would I go about refusing vaginal examinations? Last time it caused me considerable distress, not just the examination which hurt like mad, but having to lie on the bed for it. Does anyone have any experience with this? Would the mw's think I was crackers? (not that I mind really what they think!!!)

Just say no (or get your birth partner to), and if they kick off, ask exactly what it will add to their clinical care.

One of the few good things about being in labour at 35 weeks was that it was late enough for the doctors not to be interested, yet too early for the mws to be allowed to do things - so I only had 1 exam in the whole labour.

You may find that for whatever reason, you may not mind if someone asks you if it would be ok in a sensitive manner and tells you what they hope to learn from it and can exam you while you're in the position of your choice etc or is it more complicated than that? You are absolutely in your rights to refuse if you want to though.

Thanks for your thoughts - I hadn't thought of other positions, so thanks for that idea Thankyouandgoodnight. I suppose realistically I do want some kind of idea of how I'm progressing, but just found the process so incredibly painful and uncomfortable last time, to be told I was 'only....' however many cm, and at one point it actually went backwards from 4.5 to 3 I think!

They can examine you whatever position you are in, I think. Pretty sure you don't need to lie on the bed for it.

Are you doing a birth plan? I put that I didn't want to be examined unless I asked for it and the staff respected that. Get your midwife to look it over with you and sign it, put at least 2 copies in your notes and hand it to anyone who walks through the door.