Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

Original poster

midwife told her to take laxatives???

13 replies

cazboldy · 02/03/2012 07:36

Hi
My dsis is a week overdue today, she has spd, can hardly walk,can't drive, has a 10 year old ds, she has also had mild gestational diabetes, and signs of pre eclampsia for the past 3 weeks which they must be quite concerned about as they are testing her urine daily.

She is also approx a size 6, about 5'2 and had an 8 lb 9oz baby last time 4 days early after a 3 day labour (from her waters breaking, 18 hours active labour)

She is terrified this baby will be huge by next week, and she doesn't want a cs. she is currently measuring 43 cms.

But they will not induce until next Fri evening, and the midwife laughed at her when she told her her fears so I encouraged her to ring the main number and complain and be a bit more forceful.....

The midwife told her to take a double dose of laxatives and some andrews salts..... WTF?

Surely this can't be advisable?

I know sometimes you can have diahorrea in early labour but can't imagine it would be a good idea to start labour,( if it does start) feeling ill.

Also her loo is upstairs and she can't get up/downstairs very easily.

What if anything should/can i do to help her?

Can't believe how care has deteriorated round here since I ha dmy dd2 at home 4 years ago

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 02/03/2012 07:40

Medically I don't know if it's safe or not to do that but I would get her pushing for a second opinion . Request to see another midwife her concerns are understandable and should not have been dismisses like that. Appalling care !!!

Original poster

cazboldy · 02/03/2012 07:43

should add i told her not to take it

OP posts:

Bossybritches22 · 02/03/2012 07:44

There is a school of thought that if you are about ready to deliver then the rapid expulsion of a good poo (sorry if you're eating brekkie) will stimulate the start of contractions.

Can't see it myself, although having an empty bowel can be more comfortable & less embarrassing.

The MW should have discussed these worries with her before did sis not bring it up at the last visit?

Sadly you can't have them delivered to order, they'll come when they're cooked-personally I think its a cruel trick of nature that pregnancy is about 3 weeks too long & we all get fed up & worried towards the end.

Original poster

cazboldy · 02/03/2012 07:44

and she is scared off pissing the first mw off by going over her head incase she is the one she gets when she is in labour

OP posts:

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 02/03/2012 07:55

I woulda thought that a doctor or even pharmacist would be able to answer the laxative question so if she doesn't want to speak to another midwife maybe a call to the doctor or a friend popping to a chemist might be of use. Definately a good idea not to take them until she has spoken to someone else, it doubtful the midwife would say to if not safe but if she doesn't feel she listened and isn't confident in her advice then I know I wouldn't take them til I spoke to a doctor. :)

Original poster

cazboldy · 02/03/2012 09:17

yes thanks, will tell her to ring the doc for a chat

OP posts:

Original poster

cazboldy · 02/03/2012 11:16

so the doc has rung back and told her to speak to the mw.......... would there be any point me ringing..... she is quite upset now

OP posts:

QuietNinjaLamp · 02/03/2012 15:50

Tell her not to take them. I can't imagine it's good for you. She needs to speak to a different midwife. Tell her not to worry if she gets her while in labour, she can request a different one afaik. Your poor sis.

stripeyZ · 02/03/2012 17:24

Stimulating the bowels can induce uterine contractions, as they lay so close together. I have health issues that lead to episodes of diarrhoea & have had to be careful of this in pregnancy for that reason. HTH.

Original poster

cazboldy · 02/03/2012 20:56

yes i realise that, but going into a potentially long labour feeling ill and drained is surely a recipe for disaster?

OP posts:

stripeyZ · 02/03/2012 21:10

Laxatives shouldn't make you feel ill, just have a empty out. Which ones are they? I would probably give the andrews salts a miss though, as they can make you sick.

If she's worried or not comfortable taking them them, then she doesn't have too. They could work though.

Sorry to hear she's having a tough time.

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 02/03/2012 22:33

Sounds like she just needs someone to sit her down and explain everything and to listen to her and put her mind at rest about her worries. Laxatives might help speed things up but she's still obviously stressed and scared which can potentially lead to the very complications she is worried about. Still think that exercising her right to a different midwife both now and whilst in labour is the best bet. Really hope your sister gets the help she needs. And what a lovely sister you are for trying to help her like this :)

QuietNinjaLamp · 03/03/2012 07:41

From I know about labour inducing remedies. Castor oil is not recommended as it stimulates the bowel which can then stimulate contractions. Which it can also do to your baby's bowel which means they might poo and as we know if they breathe that in while still inside it can cause serious lung problems. I cannot see how taking laxatives is safe unless they don't cross the placenta?

Flip