I had an appt today at 40 weeks + 5 days. Was told by the Ob that she would do my BP, check bub (doppler) and then do a vaginal exam. I said that i was not happy to have a VE at that time, and she got cranky. I said i would get the other exams done and then we could talk about it.

Bub was good but BP was up and so i had to go for monitoring.

Ob said that she had to do a VE, so they could book me in for an induction (which would be somewhere bw 10 and 14 days past 40 weeks). Her reason was that they had to know what type of induction to book me in for. I questioned the need for a VE today, and asked how my cervix today would influence the method potentially used in at least 5 days. I said that if my cervix was closed today, but open in 5 days surely this would change the method of induction used. The Ob said no, because it would be written up now what method to use (??) and the midwife would start the induction and would just follow the written instructions.

The Ob asked why i didn't want a VE, and then tried the 'we don't want to hurt you, we just want a healthy mum and a healthy bub'. I stated that of course that was my aim too, but i still didn't see the need for a VE today. The Ob then told me of a 'woman upstairs...who had refused intervention....and bad stuff had happened to the baby...' puh lease- it was just like 'The business of being born' when as soon as you question them, then they bring out 'you are putting your baby at risk'.....

I had to go for monitoring, and the Ob said that if my BP was still high then i would be induced and i would have to have a VE. I explained again that i was not against a VE if there was a need, but could not see why one was neccessary to book in to an induction 5-9 days away. Appt made for Monday if everything was ok with the monitoring.

So, went to monitoring, everything was ok. BP came down. Had finished all testing (4+ hours later) and asked when i was able to leave. Dodgy head midwife (the rest were all lovely) said waiting for doctor to get back to them (different dr to earlier) because they had to book me in for induction. Fortunately, drs were unable to come down and were happy for me to leave and come back on Monday. (earler if anything goes wrong)

So, Monday i will have appt (if bub doesn't come over weekend) and they will want to book me in for an induction. Will want to do a VE to book me in.

So frustrated. Don't want to fight with them, because it just brings my energy down. Don't want to do something i'm not happy with because i fear i will regret it. I just want my body to do something right for once. In my weak moments, i wish i would be happy to just go along with them, because it's easier. But it's my bub, and my body and i just can't go along with something for the sake of the 'system'.

cheers,

Kate

ETA: Add to top off the day, i missed my acupuncture appt this arvo because i was on my way back from the hospital. So, from a 9am appt that was supposed to be a quick one, i wasn't home til 5pm