limiting cervical checks during labor

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to point out (OP here) that although the tone of much of this thread is entrenched in natural, low-intervention childbirth, limiting cervical checks is not just an objective of those who want low interventions or natural childbirth. The risk of infection is real. Basically, during a woman's normal (non-pregnant) state, the cervix is closed and the vagina itself has certain flora, etc that belongs in the vagina and not the uterus. When the water breaks, or even when the cervix is dilated, that makes the uterus vulnerable to both the natural flora from the vagina, which can cause some problems to the uterus, but also the gloved finger, which is not nearly as "sterile" as you think. Even when the gloves are taken straight from the box, they're not officially sterile. And unfortunately, I watched a hospital nurse taking care of my friend change / dump out his urine container and then adjust his IV with the same gloves on. I'm sure this is against protocol, but I would never assume the nurses are using new gloves, etc. At the hospital where this happened (it was GW btw) they have signs all over the place that say "if you see see your nurse care for you without washing hands first, please remind the nurse to wash hands." This sounds so sketchy but you have a responsibility for your own health. It makes no sense to me, as PP pointed out, for doctors and nurses to do so many invasive checks when the consequences are so real and well-documented.

So in other words, yes, it happens, and it's not just a matter of us "low-intervention" mom's outrage -- it should concern everyone at least moderately enough to give it some thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never heard of people getting infections from "excessive cervical checks". Is this for real?

KEEP AWAY FROM MY CERVIX!!

Wow, really? You've honestly never heard of this? Ask your doctor, please. It is most certainly possible, especially once your water has broken, because essentially anytime you insert a finger or hand into the cervix, you are introducing microbes into the natural flora and running the risk of infection. It happens. Enough that it's surprising you've never heard of it. Again, please ask your doctor. Even those of you who don't care about limiting checks should know that there is a slight risk involved... In the meantime, don't poke fun at other people's concerns.

Wow, no sense of humor here! Very serious cervix discussion.

What are the actual statistics here? How often does infection actually occur? What is a "slight risk"? This is what I was getting at. I do in fact realize that one can get an infection after the water breaks, but honestly - I know probably hundreds of women who have had babies but have never encountered one who got an infection from "excessive cervical checks" - this is why I ask - is this concern right up there with fear of soft-serve from Dairy Queen?

There are posts on here that perpetuate paranoia about doctors that isn't necessarily founded.

[Anonymous]

Is the OP a first-time mom? Believe me the last thing you will be thinking about during a natural birth is counting the number of cerv checks. You will just want the damn thing out!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is the OP a first-time mom? Believe me the last thing you will be thinking about during a natural birth is counting the number of cerv checks. You will just want the damn thing out!!!

Gotta love the tedious posters who think that just because they felt a certain way, it's not possible others would have a different perspective. The patronizing tone is a nice touch, too! PP, I'm glad you know exactly how *I* will feel during my birth, but something tells me that my birth experience will be quite different from yours if the only thing you cared about was "getting the damn thing out." For starters, I like to think of the "damn thing" as a baby. Oddly enough, loads of parents who have been there, done that, happen to feel that limiting cervical checks was the right thing. Unlike you, they seemed to spare a thought for this during labor. On a serious note, why is it so hard to accept that people are different, have different objectives and concerns concerning childbirth, and that their thoughts are just as valid as your own approach? There is absolutely no reason to post snarky b.s. aimed at first time moms who dare to have opinions or concerns. So shut up. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the OP a first-time mom? Believe me the last thing you will be thinking about during a natural birth is counting the number of cerv checks. You will just want the damn thing out!!!

Gotta love the tedious posters who think that just because they felt a certain way, it's not possible others would have a different perspective. The patronizing tone is a nice touch, too! PP, I'm glad you know exactly how *I* will feel during my birth, but something tells me that my birth experience will be quite different from yours if the only thing you cared about was "getting the damn thing out." For starters, I like to think of the "damn thing" as a baby. Oddly enough, loads of parents who have been there, done that, happen to feel that limiting cervical checks was the right thing. Unlike you, they seemed to spare a thought for this during labor. On a serious note, why is it so hard to accept that people are different, have different objectives and concerns concerning childbirth, and that their thoughts are just as valid as your own approach? There is absolutely no reason to post snarky b.s. aimed at first time moms who dare to have opinions or concerns. So shut up. Thanks!

Sorry - I wish you the long and painful labor you seem to idealize. YOU should be open to the fact that you will want it out, quite desperately, and may even be surprised by your own behaviors during that beautiful, but agonizing time. And I say that as someone who has experienced it firsthand. And, like the previous poster, I was attempting a little humor, which is really lacking in this thread.

I am also amazed at your contradiction - that others should share their thoughts, but that I should "shut up". Nice. "Thanks."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the OP a first-time mom? Believe me the last thing you will be thinking about during a natural birth is counting the number of cerv checks. You will just want the damn thing out!!!

Gotta love the tedious posters who think that just because they felt a certain way, it's not possible others would have a different perspective. The patronizing tone is a nice touch, too! PP, I'm glad you know exactly how *I* will feel during my birth, but something tells me that my birth experience will be quite different from yours if the only thing you cared about was "getting the damn thing out." For starters, I like to think of the "damn thing" as a baby. Oddly enough, loads of parents who have been there, done that, happen to feel that limiting cervical checks was the right thing. Unlike you, they seemed to spare a thought for this during labor. On a serious note, why is it so hard to accept that people are different, have different objectives and concerns concerning childbirth, and that their thoughts are just as valid as your own approach? There is absolutely no reason to post snarky b.s. aimed at first time moms who dare to have opinions or concerns. So shut up. Thanks!

Sorry - I wish you the long and painful labor you seem to idealize. YOU should be open to the fact that you will want it out, quite desperately, and may even be surprised by your own behaviors during that beautiful, but agonizing time. And I say that as someone who has experienced it firsthand. And, like the previous poster, I was attempting a little humor, which is really lacking in this thread.

I am also amazed at your contradiction - that others should share their thoughts, but that I should "shut up". Nice. "Thanks."

I asked a legitimate question and in response you patronized and generalized and dismissed my concerns as that of a novice mom with no clue of how it really goes down (but you set yourself up as an expert, because you did it firsthand).

Yes, you experienced labor, so you get a gold star if you'd like one and a badge that says "I know more than you." But remember it was YOUR labor. Mine will most certainly be different, not because I desire a long and painful labor (but what a nice person you must be to wish that on me) but because every woman is different and every birth is unique.

I didn't realize that I thread asking about cervical checks had to pass a humor litmus test, but thanks for injecting your own misplaced humor into the thread, at the expense of an OP who didn't ask for a laugh, just for an answer to the question I actually asked.

The difference between other posters and you? Simple. They answered my question. You did not.