I would say yes and no..
I remember at one point of labour I thought in my head "**** pethadein(sp) give me an epidural!!" So I asked for the midwife to see how dialated I was and I was 8cm, so that encouraged me to hang on as I was so far along.
No obviously for the reason the other girls said, If I asked at that point and I was only say 2cm I probably would have felt like I couldnt keep going.
No.... With my last 3 births I refused all requests to put hands in my vagina. I have seen in done plenty with my clients and it is not beneficial! In fact I would say it is quite the opposite.
My first was an induced labour and I had been 3cms to start.
When the pain got too much I asked for an internal that showed still 3cms maybe can stretch an extra half.
I was crushed that all that pain was still no progress so I asked for an epidural.
Epidural went in, they checked again and I had a small lip left - so essentially 9.5cms.....
Granted I was kinda glad the epidural worked when I tore and had to get stitches - but angry I had to go to 9.5cms before the epidural worked and then had 5 hours of epi when it wasn't needed
This time round I am refusing all exams unless something doesn't feel right OR I completely lose it and have decided to transfer to the main hospital for an epidural. Only then will I get an exam.
I don't think it's beneficial to know. It would be disheartning to hear (for eg) after 30 hours of labour that you're only 3cms!
With DD2 the midwife broke my waters (at my request) and said that I was 3cm, 50 min later she was born. And I think I was one of the lucky ones there. She was just sitting there waiting for the waters to break to make her exit.
Hmmmm I never got told but think it wouldn't have been a good thing. I found out when I was pg with Elijah that when I got to hossy with Oskar I was 9cm.... with Elijah though I don't know what I was but I do know that there was slow progress with some of it as the doc commented that there wasn't any or much change in about an hour and if things didn't start moving more then they were going to discuss another c/s.... ahahahah not on my watch Nelly... had already had a VBAC and I think it kick started my body again cos he was born about half an hour later. Anyway, back to question... I think it would've disheartened me especially with Elijah.
It depends what the answer is When I got to hospital and the midwife did an internal and told me I was 7cm, I was shocked to be so far along. It got me excited knowing I was heading into transition with not long to go. I'm glad I held out at home for as long as possible.
Thanks for your replies ladies. What you have all said is exactly what I was thinking. I'm so glad I never knew. I know my midwife knew, I do remember the internals vividly especially with DD1 but I'm so glad she never told me. As far as I knew, the baby's head was almost out for the whole of my labour! Lol.
Hi
I'm with you!
With DS1 I had an internal and they told me I was 4cms!!! I asked for an epi as I couldn't believe I was only 4cm! anyway I ended with a c/s.
DS2 was booked c/s so don't really know.
DS3 I never had any internals while in Labor. I rekon if I did have one and they told me I was only 4 or 6 cm I would have flipped out again! I did get excited when I heard my midwife tell my OB I was in transition!
i think they are really unnessacary unless there is a problem.
Registered User
When I got to hospital and the midwife did an internal and told me I was 7cm, I was shocked to be so far along. It got me excited knowing I was heading into transition with not long to go. I'm glad I held out at home for as long as possible.
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