Do you think being told how 'dilated' you are is beneficial?
Hi everyone,
this question has played on my mind ever since I had my girls. For both my births I was never at any stage told how dilated I was. I strongly believe that this helped me get through labour. The whole time I was thinking my baby is almost here when really I was prob only 4cm dilated. Had they told me that, I probably would have been so disheartened, thinking is this ever going to end, esp with my Dd1 who was born full OP. Just wondering for those of you who were told how far dilated you were, did you find it helpful or a hinderance for your state of mind during birth? I birthed with a birth centre midwife so I wonder if that is their policy.....
I thought I was a lot further than I actually was when I got to the hospital in labour with DD. I had been 3cm for the two weeks prior & after five hours of hard labour I hadn't budged. That was a killer, I couldn't believe it had been so full on for so long with no change. Three hours later no change & I was still disheartened by knowing nothing was happening.
Another hour & a half later I said I needed an epidural because I thought I wouldn't have changed again & couldn't cope. So they checked & I was up to 9cm, so 6cm in an hour & a half when there was no change for 8 hours previously. That news was absolutely awesome & gave me the energy to keep going knowing it was so so close at that stage.
(I ended up with an emergency c/s another 1.5 hours later though )
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.
I had two IEs and both time the midwife said I was 'only 4cm', and when they told me that the second time I compeltely lost it. It had been hours, I'd been in hospital 12 hours, I was 4cm at midnight and then not much past 4cm at 7-8am... I was hysterical and screamed hysterically at every contraction, Shel says she was really scared. I got an epi at that point and it ended with Jazz getting so stuck that even the vacuum couldn't get her out, and we needed a c/s.
Next time no one is checking. My dilation means nothing, it can't even be used as a tool to see if bub is distressed so all fingers are being kept clear of my vagina and cervix during labour thank you very much unless they are mine... and maybe Shel's!!!!!
With DD I had two IE's. One when I got to hospital after abour 4 hours of labour and was told about 4cm. Second one was 6 hours later and only 5cm. So I was completely disheartened and just wanted to give up. Luckily DH managed to calm me down, I refused any further examinations and she was born another 10hours later.
With DS, walked straight into labour suite telling midwife absolutely no IE's and I coped much better.
I don't think its helpful and I think you know when your near the end (well I did anyway!). Honestly I think its better to not think about how dilated you may be and just go with the flow (removing all clocks helps too lol!)
Sangie, so true about the clocks. I never knew how long I'd been labour for until it was over. I knew it had been a while cos it had gotten dark outside but that was it. I specifically didn't ask how long I'd been there for or what time it was. I knew it would just distract me from the job at hand. If there are all these negative stories, why do they regularly do the IE then? Apart from when there's something possibly wrong obviously.....
I liked knowing how dialated i was. I was able to feel proud of the progress I was making, which gave me the encouragement to keep going. I imagine i will want to know in my next labour too
Do you think being told how 'dilated' you are is beneficial?
Reply With Quote
)
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.
Bookmarks