Do you think being told how 'dilated' you are is beneficial?

[Mad Scientist]

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.

[julie_ann_jules]

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.

[Smoke Jaguar]

Nah, never wanted to know from someone else, I only ever wanted to be connected to what was happening, without the distraction of facts and figures.

[Indadhanu]

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!!!!!

[sangie]

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!)

[Mad Scientist]

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.....

[widdly]

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

[Mad Scientist]

That's a great way of looking at it. Maybe they should be selective in what they tell the birthing mother then?....I mean if they aren't progressing but it's not a serious problem maybe hold off saying anything....but I can definitely see how it would be encouraging if the news was good....

[blackduckies]

I always wanted to know cause my labours are long and difficult, but to my detriement was never good news although I always hoped it would be. I think you would be far better off not knowing so it does'nt knock you for six, but in saying that I am a gluten for punishemnt and am sure I will be asking this time around as well????? (I am slightly crazy)

[littlebear]

I was induced so they had to do internal exams to see how I was progressing. I remember I'd been in labour for a long time, and everyone was thinking I'd be about 6 cms which would be really good, and that encouraged me, but then we found out I hadn't actually dilated at all since they'd broken my waters earlier that morning and it upset me so much I was physically sick.

I think it really depends on your frame of mind. If you have your hopes up, you'll be disappointed. If you're doubting yourself, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Personally, if I'd had the choice, I wouldn't want to know how dilated I was, because I really lost focus & hope when I found out that nothing was happening!

[Tish]

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!)

:yeahthat:

The thing that really interrupted my flow big time with DS was the cranky old midwife who told me I was 2cm (I think?), gave me a panadeine forte and sent me home saying "you're in for another 24 hours of this". Being told that really badly disheartened me, and the panadeine forte made me too sleepy to focus properly but did nothing for the pain whatsoever. DS was born 3 or 4 hours later.

I think if I hadn't have been told how far dilated I was I would have had more confidence in my body to say no we're staying here and no I don't need the panadeine. I feel I knew I was near the end (I did transition when we arrived home), but telling me that undermined the confidence I had in my body. I had a great birthing experience overall, but I'm really angry that I had to experience such awful pain in the car needlessly because I didn't believe in my body, not to mention the sinking feeling of "omg i'm never going to be able to do another 24 hours of this, i need an epi or a CS".

When we arrived back at the hospital a few hours later I remember yelling from my wheelchair "I don't want to go home again, please don't make me go home" Little did I know I was at 9cm LOL.

Next time I will be requesting no IE and no cranky old midwives LOL

Tish
xx