Aside from the hand/sterile thing, the possible deflation is the reason I rejected an internal (in labour) with my 3rd - actually I did have one about an hour before she was born but asked that the middy didn't say ANYTHING about my progress.

I have fast labours, every time but even knowing that when I was told I was only 4cm with my 2nd it totally did my head in. He was born 2 hrs later but I felt like it really set my head back.

Tis up to you chicken xxoxo