One of my strongest memories from my fourth son's birth was doing a VE on myself whilst reclined on the toilet. I did it mainly because it was my last oppurtunity to feel a dilating cervix. WOW it was amazing, but it was mine to feel.
My first son was born in hospital where I had a few VE's, I did then believe I needed to know how I was doing. Next 3 bubs born at home with same Ind Midwife, no VE's by her. I did have a feel with my third son, but by then his big beautiful head was working its way out. When I touched my cervix and felt the circle that was about 4 cm, so clearly and readable, it was amazing. How far dialted I was made no difference, I was an hour into labour and an hour later I was holding my baby boy, that was the measure of my progression. How we dilate has become such a focus for birthing women and maybe more so their carers, its become the yard stick of childbirth. I understand why women think they want/need them, especially when birthing in an environment of the unknown. Sadly most Midwives are not able to work (for lots of reasons) in a model of continuity and women are no doubt asking for Ve's as inspiration or perhaps used with time as the marker to have the intervention. I also see women being told that they don't need to have VEs, but then we expect them to birth with Mids/Obs who need to do them. It can get very confusing for the birthing woman. What do Midwives do in this circumstance and I assume that confidence in understanding the dilation process is an advantage? Which I think is was Stacey is asking? Its questions like this that spread the wisdom learnt, not one teacher but many, cheers Megan R This message was sent through MyMail http://www.mymail.com.au -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
