Membrane Sweep without Permission?

Steflb

My doc asked me today if I wanted her to sweep my membranes. (I'm 39w4d) I declined; however, when she checked my cervix she was digging around more than normal and it was unnecessarily painful. As I was squirming up the table, away from her, she kept feeling around! I have been crampy ever since and just lost some of my MP. I really like my doc, but I'm seriously questioning if she took my opinion into consideration.

If you've had your membranes swept, would I know for sure if the doc did it or not?

She started talking induction after she said I was still only 1cm dilated, but she knows I want everything to happen naturally. Maybe it's my hormones, but it feel as though she doesn't want to wait for baby to come on his own as much as I do. This disappoints me so late in the game!

LaxMOM44

Steflb said:

My doc asked me today if I wanted her to sweep my membranes. (I'm 39w4d) I declined; however, when she checked my cervix she was digging around more than normal and it was unnecessarily painful. As I was squirming up the table, away from her, she kept feeling around! I have been crampy ever since and just lost some of my MP. I really like my doc, but I'm seriously questioning if she took my opinion into consideration.

If you've had your membranes swept, would I know for sure if the doc did it or not?

She started talking induction after she said I was still only 1cm dilated, but she knows I want everything to happen naturally. Maybe it's my hormones, but it feel as though she doesn't want to wait for baby to come on his own as much as I do. This disappoints me so late in the game!

Steflb

I told her how I felt! She still penciled me in for the 15th!

Sweetsix06

Did you ask her what she was doing? She was digging around without your consent and without explanation? What you're saying sounds a lot like she illegally performed a procedure without your consent. Please make sure that's what actually happened, otherwise, you're falsely accusing your doctor of battery! Choose your words fairly and carefully.

Remember that we are all extra sensitive down there and maybe she was just checking your cervix, which can be painful.

I don't understand how you left the office without asking exactly what she did, since you're so uncomfortable with her exam....

rshamos

Sounds like you need to speak up more. I don't know what your medical situation is, but you and your doc need to be on the same page. FWIW, my last exam was not comfortable at all and the time before I lost my mucus plug after, which they told me could happen. Sometimes, induction is necessary for the health of you and your baby, but you need to be informed. Never feel bad about asking for a second opinion.

Steflb

I'm not accusing, just asking those who have had their membranes swept if it is a noticeable procedure.

Yes, penciled me in because I'll be 41w1d. I plan to continue to argue we hold off if baby and I are healthy.

Steflb

misskilljoy said:

Also, if you don't want to be induced on the 15th, just... don't go? Is that not an option? She can write your name on a calendar all she wants. If you refuse to do the procedure, there's not a lot she can do about that.

That's a good possibility.

Steflb

I'm a STM, so I've had cervical checks before, but never my membranes swept, hence why I'm trying to get other opinions on the procedure since I wouldn't know what it felt like. I do know the checks can be painful. I'm not saying my doc DID sweep my membranes, just that the thought crossed my mind after the cramps and loss of MP. It could all be coincidental and I'm well aware of that that!

CandEChicago

Steflb said:

I'm not accusing, just asking those who have had their membranes swept if it is a noticeable procedure.

Yes, penciled me in because I'll be 41w1d. I plan to continue to argue we hold off if baby and I are healthy.

Clearly ask what she did at your last appointment. A mucus plug can fall out without having a sweep. You can also cramp and spot after a cervical exam. I am sure Dr. Google has a step by step guide (and video) about how membrane sweeps are performed so that you can compare to.

As for the induction..ask how long baby can technically stay in without additional medical complications. There are risks and complications that can happen when baby is in too long. (Dr. Google might also help your knowledge base on this as well)

CandEChicago

Steflb said:

I'm a STM, so I've had cervical checks before, but never my membranes swept, hence why I'm trying to get other opinions on the procedure since I wouldn't know what it felt like. I do know the checks can be painful. I'm not saying my doc DID sweep my membranes, just that the thought crossed my mind after the cramps and loss of MP. It could all be coincidental and I'm well aware of that that!

Dr Google might be your friend in this case.

CandEChicago

Also when your thread title is "membrane sweep without permission" you are essentially accusing your provider.

Steflb

There is a '?' at the end.

I'm just asking those who have had the procedure if it is noticeable or not. I'm looking for real life experiences, not articles on Google.

Steflb

MissChristineMarie said:

CandEChicago said:

Also when your thread title is "membrane sweep without permission" you are essentially accusing your provider.

But, there's a question mark!

I hope you're calling your doctor right now, OP.

I left a msg....

CandEChicago

MissChristineMarie said:

CandEChicago said:

Also when your thread title is "membrane sweep without permission" you are essentially accusing your provider.

But, there's a question mark!

I hope you're calling your doctor right now, OP.

____________
@Misschristinemarie is a trouble maker?


Hey... I have a question mark!

CandEChicago

Steflb said:

There is a '?' at the end.

I'm just asking those who have had the procedure if it is noticeable or not. I'm looking for real life experiences, not articles on Google.

So then you meant the title to be more along the lines of..."what does a membrane sweep feel like?" (Sounds a whole lot less of an accusation of an unauthorized medical procedure...which you kinda lead with)

You tube would have real-life experiences..

LaxMOM44

Look honestly I've had it done twice and the first time I was all like oh whatever the second I was ready to smack a bitch. None of that helps you because you still have an OB who you clearly do not trust. You need to clear the air, ask if your membranes were swept because of they were then you may have to rely on this doctor to deliver your child and that's a huge deal to trust someone like that.


Andplusalso you should probably tell her no cervical checks from now on either since you don't trust what's going on down there.

ScarlettsMommy0515

With my first my doctor checked my cervix which was extremely painful because it was not open at all.
I had my membranes swept last week which was very very painful and yes I could tell the difference .
I don't know if a doctor would risk their license doing a procedure without permission and if you're comfortable with her just ask. If you're not is this really the doctor you want delivering your baby ?
Also it is not unusual for a doctor to schedule an induction at 41 weeks but again it's your body , your baby , your decision. If you and baby are both still healthy and you'd rather wait until 42 weeks to be induced then communicate that! You have every right .
Good luck!

LaxMOM44

Yep this^

LaxMOM44

Ultimately I think the issue at this point is that you have a doctor you don't trust to respect your wishes.

That's a huge problem.

Kmm1023

Cervix checks hurt now. I would hope your doctor wouldn't do something you said you didn't want done!

allitor12

I have had painful cervical checks. I told them they had knife fingers and asked if they were searching for my tonsils. So I wouldn't accuse your dr before you hear back from her. (And discuss some of your other trust issues.)

drpayne

Steflb said:

There is a '?' at the end.

I'm just asking those who have had the procedure if it is noticeable or not. I'm looking for real life experiences, not articles on Google.

It doesn't bother some people much at all. Others find it excruciating. But some people think regular cervical checks are painful, so...

I agree with pp. Ask questions. Speak up.

Fwiw (not what you asked).... Wouldn't a membrane sweep be better than a medical induction? Not saying she should be penciling you in for anything just yet but that's something to think about.

Cheekers2010

Regardless of anything else, sweeping your membranes without your permission and in fact with your expressed disapproval is an enormous violation. I certainly hope that did not happen. Unfortunately, it's not unknown to happen. Of course that doesn't mean anything to your situation and I'm glad you're asking.

jlmynes

Had my membranes swept on Monday and it felt like she was inside my uterus! Very very painful and paps don't bother me at all. I've even had a colposcopy (not to be confused with colonoscopy) and the colpo wasnt painful at all either. You would definitely know, in my none medical opinion, if she swept your membranes. My doctor had me verbally consent the week beforehand, the nurse confirmed verbally the day of, and the doctor again confirmed before the procedure... twice. Even asked me if it was okay to proceed after she checked for dilation bc she wanted to make sure I was okay with it. You definitely should have spoken up during the procedure and asked her to stop even if she wasn't doing it, if it hurts more than you can handle tell them to stop!

DoctorWorm222

I've never had my membranes swept, but I got checked yesterday and it was rough! She really rooted around in there, and it hurt quite a bit. I think its b/c of the position and being a little dilated but not yet effaced -- she had to jam her finger up to really get a feeling for the progress. Others are saying the difference between a check and a sweep is unmistakable. I bet they're right, but only for those who have experienced both.

I'm not sure I would be ready to accuse the doc of performing procedures without consent just b/c you were uncomfortable and b/c you had a little spotting, loss of MP, etc. My doc warned me that those things can happen just from normal cervical checks. 

megbmeg

I think it is unlikely that your doc did more than a cervical check. They can be painful, can take a bit of time and feeling around, especially if baby's head is low, and it is not unusual to have some spotting and cramping afterward. But there's no way to know without just asking your dr. I hope you get some good info when she returns your VM.

FWIW, I think you'll have better outcomes from the conversation if you don't start it with an accusation, but just explain the reactions you had after the check and then ask if that was normal or if it was due to a sweep. It's also really important to explain that you are anxious and uncomfortable about inducing and want to discuss your options. If it's hard for you to bring these things up, bring a support person with you to your next appt and/or make a list of all your questions/concerns.

shakalex

I had that years ago and had my daughter the same day. I think you would have known. Towards the end everything is overly sensitive

amieeyoung

My previous checks were not bad and didn't result in spotting, but my last one (at 3 cm, 70% effaced and baby dropped) was. I had spotting and cramping this last time. The doctor told me each time I was checked this was a possibility. She asked about a membrane sweep and I declined. Her response- if you decide you want one next week let me know and if you don't want one at all let me know. My guess is you just had a painful check. You should ask when you are not sure what is going on down there. Most docs don't mind and expect you to ask questions when you are unsure. 

mammatoomc

I read this when you first posted cause I knew I would be having mine swept today and also wanted to read others responses. So now that Ive had it done, I can tell you this. Have had cervical checks since 36 weeks. Painful when my cervix was still closed. When I started to dilate, not painful anymore and no more spotting. Today, while stripping, it was VERY painful. Caused intense contractions immediately. Not painful afterwards. I had it done about 7 hours ago. Ive experienced mild contractions since (not any different than the last few weeks) but OB told me today that I am 2cm dilated, 80% effaced and a 3+ station. He is very confident that this will put me into labor within the next few days. But bottom line, I certainly think you would KNOW for sure if she did. I have had my cervix checked by several L&D nurses and they seemed to take a while and fumble in their which was uncomfortable but very different from what the sweep felt like.