Stripping membranes without telling me?

hbrooks88974

I'm not 100% on this but I'm fairly certain my ob stripped my membranes today. It felt much different than my regular "down there" checks for dilation. It was much more intense (not painful but ALL UP IN THERE) and now I'm noticing a different mucous like discharge when I use the restroom. Has anyone else's ob done this? Does this sound like stripping of the membranes? I don't mind that he did it, but not even asking me kind of pisses me off. Plus he is STILL pushing for an induction four days after my due date. His reasoning is because he doesn't want my amniotic fluid to decrease. But there is no S/S of me losing any fluid? I have loved my doc up until this point of my pregnancy....but now I am getting frustrated. 

ncbelle

I'd be pissed as hell.  It does sound like it's possible.  I personally would decline all cervical checks - they don't tell you anything.  I would absolutely let him know that you find this behavior unprofessional - you should NEVER have anything done to you without your consent!!  This on top of the fact he is pushing for induction suggests he is more worried about his schedule and not what's best for you.

Stand up for yourself and remember it's never too late to switch providers.

PrimRoseMama

Um, I don't know how you could miss a membrane sweep. It's an aggressive fingering type internal. It's considerably different than a cervix check.

Also WTF to a doctor not telling you what they are doing?

mcgeeva

I agree with other people but my question is why is no one asking questions when things are being done??

Verimyrkky

That's exactly what my doctor did yesterday.  However, I've only seen him once before as my office makes me see a different doctor or midwife each time.

I was wondering why the exam was feeling different and taking longer, then he said he stripped my membranes, and now I have an induction set up for one week from today.

Kdeanda

Why didn't you ask? Isn't it standard for the doctor to ask "do you have any questions?" before they leave the room. Also, if you don't agree with something they are advocating mention you did your own research and heard about xyz and what's the benefits of going with what they suggest vs xyz.

Roses87

#1 thats ridiculous for him to do that.

#2 if he is saying he is nervous your fluid will be too low and thats why he wants to check it. Ask for a US to check your AFI. I personally would want someone beside him doing it so he can't just say oh its low. If its above 8 its within the normal range for your gestation. If its below you may want to consider being induced because low fluid can be dangerous. But for him to say that without even know your AFI is stupid. 

hbrooks88974

It felt like an intense vaginal exam. Not like previous visits. I didn't say anything because at the time I didn't even think about it. I knew it felt different but I didn't know and I guess I just assumed something would surely be said if he were to do anything like that. Then as I was driving home I started thinking.....and after talking with my mom we are thinking that he stripped them. 

Manateearmz

When the doctor stripped mine I almost came off the table. So ya, you'd know. Did he not tell you that's what he did?

shashonie

That sucks and is a huge violation if he did strip the membranes without telling you. And unless there is a clear medical reason to induce you, there is NO reason to induce just because you are a little late. I'd make it clear what your wants are and not have cervical checks again until you are in active labor.

veetveet

Don't assume- call and ask. Keep in mind you may be swollen and things may have felt different.

TheAnalyticalMommy

I'm usually pretty quiet on this board but i've seen this type of post many times now and can't not say something... We're all mom's on here or soon-to-be mom's and we're going to need to stand up for our children many times over the next few years. How can we do that if we can't stand up for ourselves? 

If you don't want your membranes stripped, or don't want any other type of procedure, please talk to your doctor before they have any opportunity to perform the procedure. Yes - they should ask first but why take that chance if you have a strong opinion? 

No one will speak up for you (or your children) but you... Never assume, always speak up before someone has a chance to do something you're not okay with. Why take the chance? 

Just my two cents 

(Okay i'll go back to being quiet now )

EMTone2resqU

When I had my membranes stripped with my son I def knew what the dr was doing. It hurts like ****! And I was crampy and spotting the rest of the day. If this was first time you had seen this dr he may have just been a little rough and intense.
But with this being said at my 38 wk appt I'm positive the OB I saw that day stripped my membranes without giving warning! I came off the table and immediately had spotting when I was cleaning off lube. I too was pissed although I had said I want to go into labor on my own, I did not want my membranes stripped this pregnancy because it did nothing for me my last pregnancy!

seells

When my doctor stripped my membranes with DD I'm pretty sure I almost kicked her in the face. Took DH and a nurse to hold me down so I wouldn't scramble away from her.

I would call and talk to the doctor ASAP.