Can I refuse speculum? 39 weeks and bleeding

[Stargazer677]

I am 39 weeks pregnant, had a backache in the evening and a couple of tightenings that felt like braxton hicks except more painful. Wasn't worried until I went to the loo and seen fresh blood - no mucus at all, no clots

I have rang Triage who said to come in so on my way there now. I have been in 3 times due to bleeding but this was way earlier (around 20 weeks) and each time I was offered a speculum exam and said yes. The pain was excruciating even though they would say "as you've had a baby before you will be fine, it wont hurt - will just be uncomfortable" but for some reason it hurts so bad and I really dont want one again. Seeing as i'm term can they not just put me on the ctg to check baby's movements/heartbeat and if somethings wrong it will flag up?

I can't imagine having that speculum especially with these tightenings and back pain but at the same time I am worried about baby. Ive never once had that exam and thought "it wasnt so bad" - each time it's left me feeling like I never ever want one again

Are you sure your not in labour?

Sounds like the start of things and you've lost the mucus plug.

my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21606-mucus-plug

You can refuse any treatment or examination.

So i'm in now and they have put me on the monitor. Since my post I have definitely had contractions but mild, not anything that's making me feel like I can't cope yet and nothing regular

In regards to the bleeding, it has now started to look like bits of Mucus plug - before it was just fresh red blood, now it's got abit of mucus and blood. They said as i've come in with bleeding they want the doctor to check but i'm starting to think it's just start of labour now

I may just refuse the speculum

Fingers crossed everything goes well OP.

Thank you @sashh !! And thank you all for the replies x

No problem, I'll be here for a while if you want to post updates, I can supply virtual cake and coffee.

That is so sweet and has put a smile on my face @sashh could do with the cake and coffee!! they sent me home and said they were sure its the start. Definitely having more painful and regular contractions now. Hoping to have the baby soon. So tired but doubt i'll get sleep!

Well if you can't sleep binge on some mindless TV and look forward to the appearance of your baby. Is it your first?

Yes definitely will! Just having a banana at the moment. Have learnt from previous birth that not eating doesn't help at all. I've got 1 child already 😀. How comes you're awake this late?

I'm awake early - a mixture of pain and insomnia.

I make virtual breakfasts for people. It started in lockdown, the cafe currently has an ice rink, in summer it is a pool and there is an ice bar.

I know I'm slightly crazy, as are my regulars.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the-wide-awake-club/4834229-the-happy-place-cafe-is-still-open?reply=130936315

You can always refuse any examination.

The rules/laws of consent apply to medicine just as much as they apply anywhere else. They cannot, should not, must not force you to have any examination (internal or otherwise) if you don't want to.

I didn't have any examinations with my last baby (I hadn't specified, it simply wasn't offered because there was no need. I have no clue how dilated I was at any stage!). A good midwife will be able to assess your progress and condition based on other signs (caveat, examination could still be necessary in unforeseen circumstances and/or medical emergencies).

Good luck OP, I hope you manage to get some rest in light of your update. 🌸

... meant to add to previous post, I had fresh bright red blood during labour with both of my babies. The midwives said it was due to the cervix changing and not to worry unless the bleeding became heavy.

Thank you @sashh , i'll see you there!! Nothing crazy about it, looks like you have a new customer!! 😁

Thank you @Poppins2016 I felt sort of panicky in that moment thinking they will give me a hard time because i'm saying no. Luckily they didn't ask to do an internal and from looking at the blood they were happy to let me go and said it was the start of things

For now I have the Tens machine which is taking the edge off the pain and I managed 2 hours of sleep

I see you are home now, they wouldn't do a speculum at 39 weeks. Good luck hopefully things will move quickly for you. Xxx

Best wishes. Hope that today is the day you get to hold your new baby in your arms. You've got this! Take care xxx

Exciting day for you today! Good luck and I hope you have an easy and smooth birth 🤩

Ooh, good luck OP! Do you know which sex you’re having?

Is this going to be a live birth thread?

Hope you’re ok OP. fyi, I have found speculum’s (or whatever they are called) are a lot less uncomfortable if you insert them your self. I always ask now and it’s made a huge difference xx

How exciting! Good luck 😊

Hope it's going okay, OP! How exciting that you're about to meet your little one, if you haven't already!

Thank you all!!! Stuck in that horrible latent stage right now. The contractions aren't very regular still. Hopefully they can ramp up tonight! Will keep.you posted x

You can refuse anything you want! Tbh, I'm surprised they have performed so many speculum exams on you for bleeding. With mine I was put on a monitor but they mostly avoided speculum exams in case it encouraged any further bleeding. I must have been in over 10 times and only had 2 speculum examinations.