Unrequested membrane sweeping

Jenniferinspain · June 2011

My 19 year old cousin is due the same day as I am so we keep in contact to find out how each are progressing. I'm a little unnerved because at her appointment today, 37 weeks, her doctor stripped her membranes without asking her, she just did it. She is already 1-2 cm dialated but I'm not sure why she did this so early, I'm actually a little annoyed because I know that it can start the process of labor. Okay, rant over. Can't wait for my own appointment tomorrow and I get to schedule my c-section.

NurseLaLa · June 2011

This seems to be quite unfortunately common

T&HLove · June 2011

NurseMom1:
This seems to be quite unfortunately common

This. I have heard of it happening a lot... Some people have wondered why their normal check hurt so bad and later found out the dr. stripped their membrane..

cwyland · June 2011

My midwife did it to me today (39 week apt). She just kinda did it "while she was in there." I don't know if she thought I knew what it was ahead of time, but I just looked it up now. I've heard people refer to it on here, but I had no idea what it was or that it was intended to help labor along. I don't know how I feel about her just doing it. I think I would have liked being informed first. It was very painful.

sunandsurfmama · June 2011

My WM does not do early checks unless you are high risk or it is absolutely necessary. I did make it clear in the beginning that I did not want anything done without my informed consent.

When I do have to be "checked" in the hospital, I will make it clear that they have permission to check me, but not strip my membranes.

I do not appreciate when Drs. perform procedures without my permission and just tell me about them after the fact. You have to really fight for your rights and be very vocal. It may make me look like a controlling you-know-what but I don't care. My health and what I want is more important.