Following a dreadful antenatal class....

[whinegums]

Hi, I think I was at the world's worst antenatal class yesterday afternoon, with a dreadful mw leading it - I won't go into details, as I've already ranted about it on the June antenatal thread, but I've got a few questions, and I'm sure I'll get better answers here!

The mw said that if labour hadn't started within 48 hours of waters breaking, then the hospital will induce, and also give 2 lots of IV antibiotics during labour. If you don't take the abs, then the baby has to have a canula after birth to be given them! . Has anyone heard of this before, and is it necessary?

She also talked about speculum exams - seems they want to do those rather a lot - I don't want 'routine' vaginal exams during labour. I know I can refuse any treatment, but I'm worried (going by the evil woman yesterday) if I do, my care will be compromised.

If, by some hideous amount of bad luck, I end up with this mw when I go into labour, what's my chances of asking for, and getting someone else?

I am pretty laid back and hope to go with the flow, but this experience has scared the bejesus out of me!

I am dreading the rest of the classes!

Sorry your class is a nightmare whinegums. Not sure if I can give you the best advice as my waters ruptured prematurely (32+2) and was admitted to hospital. I was then monitored to make sure I didn't develop an infection (just kept checking my temp). Went into labour in less than 48 hours. DD did have IV antibiotics but she was in special care. Don't know if things are done differently for full term delivery.

As far as I know, you are well within your rights to request a different midwife.

Good luck and hope you have a smooth antibiotic and speculum free birth!

Can you contact your hospital directly to get a copy of their policy re: births? If there's anything you don't agree with, you can then put that in your birth plan (and tell your birth partner).

did she mean if you ahve stre b you get the iv antibs?

and i asked my connsultatn what i should do if i didn't like the midwife and he said to pipe up and ask if there was anyone else around, that not everyone likes everyone...

IV antibiotics might be offered , up to you if you take them, if you are showing signs of infection, then it might be a good idea. However, prophylactic IV antibiotics are not always necessary. discuss with MW if this happens to you. also, you can delay induction if you are well, no signs of fever , no signs of illness and baby is moving well.... no, baby does not need a canula for ABs if no signs of illness..... again, if the situation arises, talk to the MW. have not heard of ABs being given where no signs of illness.

speculum exams should not be necessary unless there is some query as to whether your waters hve broken before labour starts. otherwise, MW will insert her fingers into the vagina to assess dilation and progress. you do not have to have any VEs . there are other signs labour is progressing that can be observed without a VE

you can decline care from a particulr MW, it might be worth speaking to head of midwifery before hand especially if you are concerned about teh advice you are being given.

it sounds very scarey . which is not good!

or you could ask to be swabbed for strp b when they've got the speculum up there anyway...

the HVS test is not that accurate thought aitch.. www.gbss.org has advice re GBS

Hi, my daughter had to have the ABs (not because I refused but once they started me off - just a pessary - labour was too quick).
It is not necessarily necessary - but a precaution (for the same reason they will give GBS+ mums or babies ABs - it won't necessarily be passed on, but they prefer to give them as a precaution).
From her paediatric exam I am in no doubt they were unnecessarily administered to my daughter, but I just did as I was told. Pleased to report she has been in excellent health and there are no signs she's been affected - she is nearly 2 and barely a sniffle this winter!

Lulumama this was totally standard practice at C&W in case of PROM when I delivered 2 years ago.

really ! well, i suppose it shows that standard practice differs from place to place
the problem with prophylactic ABs is that it can help make bacteria resistant to ABs.

oh really? i was swabbed for it during preg and came up +. my waters broke so they didn't want to wait but i rather cheekily got the iv in for the anti-bs and then quietly removed the one they'd put in to induce me and told them i'd see them all in the morning once i'd had some sleep, har har.

I'd be tempted to argue this time round though!

See what I mean - all you mnrs are so much better than that useless woman yesterday!!!!

I'm happy to have abs if they're necessary - of course! - I just don't want any unnecessary treatment - agree with lulu that abs are overused and cause resistance.

Aitch - she didn't mention gbs - seems it is just standard policy to administer them.

I just hope I can keep it together on the day to fight my corner, and make sure that DP does too!

don't waste energy arguing when the time comes, just be quietly disobedient.

I don't disagree with lulu but it takes a very strong person to argue with doctors and MWs about what is best for your newborn - particularly as they will present it as a done deal.
I had no problems refusing syntocinon and arguing to be let off the CFM - both of which were entirely right - but be warned it is much harder when your newborn is involved. (Particularly if you have a cautious husband like me who prefers to take medical advice).
I think it is relatively unusual to require induction due to PROM so hopefully you will never have to deal with it - but good luck if you do!
You may also want to think carefully about a GBS test - the hospital told me they would apply the same policy to GBS+ mothers - whereas if your GBS status was unknown they would just monitor the baby in the normal course. I found this persuasive and did not take my own test - even though we ended up with the ABs (and a -ve test) anyway because of the PROM! what can you do?!

you are right slinki, and it is easy to be bulldozed into things.. i am not saying that mothers should refuse ABs on a whim, but nothing wrong with questioning things and making sure you know why things are being done. when it is your newborn, you don;t want anything to go wrong.

My waters went first and dd was born 28 hrs later, i was given IV AB at 24 hrs post waters going. I actually don't really remember them asking permission they just did it.

Our hospital policy is 24 hrs once waters gone, risk of infection, yet i actually ASKED them to bring me on (give me something via drip) and they refused.

Standard policy in my area is the same for PROM. Induction within 48 hours, and IV antibs 24 hours after waters break.

I was booked in for an induction 48 hrs after my waters broke but was not really that happy about it and luckily went into labour the night before my appt.

Once 24 hrs had passed (this was during 1st stage of labour) I got iv abs - they didn't ask so much as tell me "that's 24 hours - so we are putting the iv in now"

I was pretty out of it and didn't mind at the time but I got horrendous thrush and suspect the abs may have been to blame.

GBS was not mentioned to me either, mw just said I was at more risk of infection after waters breaking.

No mention of speculum exams, it was just fingers with me.

Sorry that was a bit waffley really!