I am 39 weeks, yesterday I had an appointment at my doctor's clinic in the coombe. She offered me a sweep and I said no, I would rather wait till next week if it's needed. She said she would have to do an exam anyway which is fine, when she was doing the exam and she already had her fingers inside me she pushed it again and said we may as well do it. I said yes as I felt like she was going to keep pushing me anyway.
After she said well membrane sweeps are not likely effective for first babies anyway. So today I am sitting here in pain and cramping and I feel like there was absolutely no benefit to doing it other than she needed off her list.
After this she talked about being brought in next week for induction, again I said I would prefer not to as I am feeling fine, the baby is a good size and good heart beat. Again then she said well because you had a previous issues with blood pressure we don't like you to go over your due date. So again I really felt like there was no other option for me.
Just a note on the blood pressure, I had never an issue with blood pressure before, I went to the emergency room as I had noticed reduced movement one day and while I was on the heart rate monitor the machine started spiking and making noise, it was left like that for a while turns out it was out of paper, nothing wrong with the baby at all. My blood pressure was high that one and only time, the younger doctor was ready to let me go as my BP had been perfect every other time, however she brought in a more senior doctor who wanted me on tablets as I was so far along, they had a conversation over my head about being brought in or kept in for induction, not surprisingly my blood pressure did not go down that night.
I started taking the tablets and my blood pressure was then too low, then took high etc, but because I was so far along they did not just want to take me off them so instead changed the dosage. So I feel because of that one doctors decision that has messed with my blood pressure which then took any decisions away from me with my own birth plan.
You can make a complaint , for the attention of Director of Midwifery, that you felt coerced into a sweep against your expressed wishes, that you had declined it then the doctor pressured you when you felt you had your consent taken from you. This is a serious matter. Please make a complaint so others don't have similar experience.
I’m so sorry that happened. Your feelings are absolutely valid! Regardless of blood pressure or recommendations for induction it sounds like you were coerced into having the sweep. I hope all goes well for you for the birth — I’m also 39 weeks (although having a section) but I feel for you!!
She absolutely did not have to do an exam. They don't HAVE to do anything and exams at 39 weeks are unnecessary. I'm sorry that happened to you, I'd complain. You were coerced while in a vulnerable position/situation.
I would make a complaint about what she did, that’s appalling I’m so sorry that happened to you. Anytime anyone wants to do anything to/for you in appointments or labour I found asking them to write it down and sign it cleared things up real quick.
The GP can give you a 24 hour blood pressure monitor which would give you a better idea of your actual BP, I have had to have it before because I sometimes get anxiety at the doctors and it makes my BP readings wrong. The obs should absolutely not have pressured you, or done that sweep without explicit consent and if you feel up to it (maybe after baby) you could make a complaint to Your Service Your Say. You might be able to also ask to see another doctor at the clinic if you feel comfortable with that, for a second opinion.
I believe many midwives get due dates wrong because they base it on a 28 day cycle which not every woman has, then they try methods such as stretch and sweep going on their own incorrect dates. I believe my lo was due later but was advised to do a stretch and sweep, he wasnt ready at all or in the right position and the labour was long and atrocious. I imagine these uneccessary interventions could cause all sorts of issues, including blood pressure. The pressure professionals put on women is ridiculous!
I always felt super pressured in the Coombe to be induced. Made me feel as tho I have no control or choice over my body. Doctors rushed and trying to do stuff u don’t want. I don’t think I’ll be going back there anymore
Really sorry you went through that. Can I ask for the sweep did she inform you of why she was doing it, risks, benefits etc , if she didnt then it wasn't informed consent. Also asking while she was already in is not acceptable. I personally would consider making a complaint. Things like this happening is why so many women don't feel comfortable or confident giving birth. You advocated for yourself and your baby but it wasnt taken on board.
No there was no info given or anything after care, just that a sweep can help move things along and then after she said that they are not usually successful for first time mothers
I agree this is quite frustrating, very normal for your blood pressure to spike when you are a little stressed over baby movements and then annoying for it to be over treated and drop. I don’t fully understand why they are so eager to induce you at 40 weeks if you have a low risk pregnancy with no Co-morbidities? I guess it is worth asking them what their concerns are (maybe there are concerns you are not privy to). Best of luck with it
Literally she just said because I'm bored as having issues with blood pressure
A very similar scenario happened to me on my firstborn, but in Holles st. I had one high BP reading and because the doctor who took that reading had been hounding me about GD (I never had it, but because I was overweight she was basically offended that I didnt have it and was looking for any excuse to punish me for my weight) so I always got nervous that I would get her, and low and behold I had a high BP reading the day I got her in clinic. She immediately put me on meds. I was then basically told I had to be induced because I'd get pre-eclampsia even though my BP was always borderline low on the meds.
I was then pressured into an induction on my second too because they swore she was going to be nearly 12lbs, I let them scare me with talk of brain damage, shoulder dystocia, broken bones etc. She came out in 3 pushes, no tears, 9lbs 2oz, 2 days past her due date.
I was induced at 40+1 both times, first was born 40+3, second was born 40+2
I'm done now so I'll never get to experience spontaneous labour, or be able to say if i jave naturally short or long labours or any of that kind of thing that my mam and other people would tell me about, which I'm a bit sad about but it is what it is now. All I know is my body holds on to babies a bit longer than necessary because I wasn't "favourable" for either induction
I think I would listen to the advice of the obstetrician, they wouldn’t put you on blood pressure medication or suggest induction if it wasn’t needed. I know it’s disappointing when things don’t go to plan, but as long as baby gets here safely is what I would prioritise. I had an induction at 38 weeks and everything went well. It wasn’t what I wanted but it was the safest thing to do.
Birth plans are not considered except in perfect conditions. The health of the baby and mother and risk management is considered far more important.
💯 OP has said BP was high on 3 different occasions, in ED, then overnight, and while taking the medications at home. I would take this seriously, and hope they’re checking urine for protein. Pre eclampsia is dangerous and can come on quickly. Birth plans are just that, a plan.
Yep. I’m a doctor, and if anything goes wrong, not a single solicitor this side of the equator would accept “but I was respecting the mother’s birth plan” as a valid defense.