Invasive exams etc

[LibbyAshleigh]

I was wondering what people’s views are on invasive exams? This is my first baby, due date tomorrow, so I have no idea what to expect. The idea of getting a sweep or a vaginal exam to check my cervix dilation makes me cringe and I’m terrified of having it done. I’m not going to have a sweep, and I’m pretty sure there’s another way to check cervix dilation, you get a line somewhere around your bum I think? Length of that can show cm dilated too.
I’m terrified of having to have them done, I’m very private about the downstairs area, especially at the moment. Not even my partner has had access for a few months!
But anyway, I was wondering what people’s views and experiences are of those kind of exams and checks? Are they good to have?

Personally they don't bother me, if a sweep will possibly get things going I would (and have in past) requested one.

Its your body and I don't think you have to have anything done or checked if you don't want to. BUT once you are in labour you may change your opinion! If you want to know how much you are progressing, then you'll have to have an internal to check dilation. It then maybe a relief for you to know you are, for example, 7/8cm dilated etc..

Also its difficult to be private about the downstairs area when you're in late stages of labour. I really feel for you if you feel like this.

Everyone is differet, make sure you tell your midwife/HCP how you feel.

Best of Luck!

I have been trying to get a sweep but can’t yet as not dilated enough. I have a really tight pelvic floor and issues with my vagina that make even smear tests painful but I’m doing these because at my age being left to go overdue is scarier than a bit of pain.

Have you read more about the purple line? It only happens on some women (my sister for example never had one and she had a vaginal labour without any kind of pain relief or interference) and even when it does it isn’t always 100% accurate.

Also, if they want to monitor the baby during labour, they may not be able to if you don’t allow them to reach inside to put the electrode on the baby’s head. That means your birth may get a timed deadline before you are rushed to an emergency c-section.

I allowed 2 examinations and refused the rest.

It's entirely up to you what you consent to, however as PPs have said you may want to know how things are progressing. I'd suggest discussing with your midwife in advance when they might want to do internal so you have some idea of what you might want to consent to, and also understand the implications.

I requested an internal in all of mine as I really wanted to know that I was fully dilated and almost there!

I have 3DC's, All natural water births. No requirement for any examinations, but I was the same as you, a private person not wanting anyone poking around!
That said, in the middle of labour, if an examination had been needed, there would have been no question, I'd have allowed it.

Sweeps are hit and miss if they work so tbh you could probably get away with not having one and just saying no if they offer... To check dilation I've never heard of this line before and I'm on baby no3 but honestly once your in labour it really won't matter to you. They have to check how far dilated you are so I'm not sure how you would get around that one... Maybe a chat with your midwife will help but once your in full blown labour I'm afraid they have to be down there x

I begged for a second examination as I knew things were progressing faster than the midwives thought. I was 4cm at second exam and had her 48 mins later.. it's uncomfortable but nothing more than that.

You can absolutely decline all sweeps and vaginal examinations. There is no clinical evidence to justify their use. I am 35 weeks pregnant and wont be having any.

Sweeps are not essential, just decline them if you don’t want one.

I had a vaginal examination every four hours in labour, it was fine and didn’t hurt. You can refuse them but it does make it harder for the midwife to assess your progress (the “purple line” is not very accurate and doesn’t show the position of the baby). I found it motivating and more empowering to know how my labour was progressing.

I think you may find that when you're in the throes of labour you will welcome an examination to find out if you're close to giving birth.

I was induced so 2 pessarys and my waters artificially broken. I would recommend gas and air as I found it very uncomfortable due to my cervix being posterior. But it was all over in 2 hours so can't complain.

I had a four day labour with string contractions and yet very little cervical dilation. My notes said as little examinations as possible so I wasn’t in their standard 4 hour rota. However they were vital in assessing that my baby was not progressing into my pelvis and I was not dilating. If you absolutely point blank refused to let them check this ( @peamad I think you should keep an open mind. ) And you have a similar experience to me then you could end up with a baby in distress. There are a low number of women that do not dilate and intervention is necessary to save both of you lives. Please state your preferences but keep an open mind during labour

Sweeps are not in any way necessary and quite often don't work anyway. If I was overdue and facing induction, I would personally prefer to give a sweep a go first.

They won't just randomly want to do an internal exam. I previously had a very slow labour so was grateful for an exam when I got to hospital for them to say I was finally In active labour.

The line you're talking about essentially travels up your bum crack. The midwife did use that as a guide, but when I didn't seem to be progressing she did another internal exam to be sure. You have to be in the right position to be able to see the line, if for example you labour on the bed on your back, you won't be able to see the line anyway. So I've always personally found them helpful as they've only been done at appropriate times

See how you feel when the time comes, you may feel very different once you're in labour. If you have a birth plan, make sure your preferences are written down, you can always change your mind. Make sure your birth partner(s) also aware of your preferences so they can advocate for you if need be