Really upset after antenatal appt.

[almost3]

Hi, sorry if this goes on a bit...

I'll be 40 weeks tomorrow and have just returned from an antenatal appt with the doctor. For a bit of background, I suffered from high blood pressure earlier in the pregnancy but have been fine since july, however, as i'm now in the late stages and due to some other medical history I've been seeing the doctor at the hospital regularly for the past couple of months.

Today my appointment went along as normal, had bp taken, urine checked, doppler, heartbeat monitored etc, all these were fine. I went into see the doctor who was happy everything was okay, he then asked if it was okay to do an intrnal to see if my cervix was softening yet and I said yes. However, while he was there he did a membrane sweep without asking whether that was okay. He then said he wanted to book me in for an induction. Before I had chance to ask any questions the fire alarm went off and I had to leave the appointment, when that was all over I expected to go back to see the doctor to finish my appointment, however, instead a midwife just popped into the waiting room ad handed me a piece of paper saying they'd see me on monday for induction. I tried asking her if I could see the doctor again as I was confused as to why they thought induction was necessary if they're happy baby and me are fine but I was told that they were running very late, doctor had no more time and I was practically shoved out of the door.

I now have no idea what to do, I have been induced before with DS1 and it wasn't a horrible experience or anything but I'm still not happy to be induced for no apparent reason, especially so soon. What do I do now? I won't have another opportunity to speak to the doctor before monday and I'm very confused!!

Thanks if you made it this far x

Almost3 Don't be fobbed off. Just find out the name of the Supervisor of Midwifery and speak with her/him (if you're told they're not available just say that you're considering making a formal complaint regarding an incident earlier in the week, give your name and number and state that you'll expect a call back later in the day). Wishing you a great birth and hope things get moving for you soon :)

Hi Glittery. I thought the book did a great job of setting out the pros and cons of all sorts of procedures/pain releif/drugs and recommend it to all my friends who get pregnant. As the tag line for the the book says "because you'll only have this baby once"! I know my birth plan was so much more comprehensive for reading it :) In places it can read as slightly anti-establishment and some of the studies quoted are a bit old but i'd say it's very much worth a read! Almost3 sorry for slight thread hijack.

you know this could be considored an assault? I would strongly urge you to make a complaint - this is completely unacceptable.

Almost3, have you contacted the hospital's PALS service? They are specifically there to give advice and deal with complaints, and may be able to get things moving. You may have more luck with them.

I'd go absolutely ballistic if it were me.
I'd write a strongly worded letter to the chief executive and CC the head of midwifery and medical director.
If this was a locum they might well not use him again.
Carrying out a procedure without consent is contrary to the Good Medical Practice guide from the GMC.
You need to find out why he has booked you in for an induction without discussing it with you and what need there is to break with the Nice guidance and go for an induction so early.
Be firm and rational and keep asking the same question if you have to until you are happy with the answers.
If you've had NCT classes, it might be worth getting in touch with them too.

I would be furious if I were you. Very similar position, 40+6, midwife offered sweep, refused, no bother see you in a couple of days to monitor and go through routine checks again.

You MUST complain, no one has the right to do that to you without consent.

I hope you're feeling better and that your complaint is being taken seriously.

I was totally anti any kind of intervention when I was pregnant with DS1. My waters broke in the early hours of the morning and a midwife at about 6am. She "had a look" (which I thought meant checking my cervix but she actually gave me a sweep, I found out afterwards) and I swear to god it kickstarted the fastest and most intense labour, and DS was born a couple of hours later. The second time around I let no one near and it was a much calmer experience, I'm convinced it was all that midwife's fault that DS1 came so fast.

Have a read of this re EDD.

Poor you! They booked me in for an induction when I was 40 weeks. No reason too, they just said it would be good to have the booking if I needed it. After the midwife left, I felt quite pressured about having the booking so I phoned and cancelled it myself. As for sweeping without asking; that's so rude! I had 3 sweeps mind; none of which brought on the bub. He came when he was ready (almost 42 weeks). In France, full term is considered 41 weeks. we're obsessed in this country with the 40 week mark.

only wants one i think it is assault.I am a nurse and any treatment given to a patient with out their consent is assault unless they are covered by a section of the mental health act,nasty,and sweeps are painfull are they not? Terrible behaviour.

Thanks very much for all the advice everyone!

I've had quite a week, I managed to speak to my usual consultant last friday who agreed with me regarding the other doctor being hasty regarding the induction and cancelled it immediately. I have made an official complaint about the membrane sweep which is currently being looked into by the midwife supervisor. The doctor who did it isn't a locum, he works at the hospital permanently and was just covering my usual doctor's clinic for the day. Today I went for another ante-natal check and he was there again, along with another registrar and, once again, my doctor wasn't. I requested that I didn't see him as I felt uncomfortable being examined by him and this wasn't well received by the front desk, I was rudely told that I'd have a very long wait as I was being picky! Needless to say, that experience will be added to my complaint.

However, the female doctor I did end up seeing was absolutely fantastic, very understanding and sympathetic. My blood pressure was very high today though, but she acknowledged it could be due to the stress of being made to feel uncomfortable at the appointment as well as other factors (weather has meant ds1's school has been closed for 3 days and as he's autistic the disruption of his routine has made him difficult to handle, heating broke down, not feeling too well myself as i'm full of cold etc etc).

Anyway, she said it would be sensible to keep an eye on me, just to be on the safe side so would like me to be closely monitored but said that any induction is my decision and she'll support me unless there is a serious need to get baby out.

Sorry for the long post (again)!