Hi there list and especially megan, I also performed my own VE's in labour with my 2nd, 3rd and 4th sons. I was in the water and felt the need to have a tangible focus for my own progress. I told my midwife and she suggested I check for myself. I distinctly remember with Sam (no. 2) feeling a rush of exhilaration as I identified that my cervix was about 9 cm dilated and i could feel a fontanelle clearly pulsing under my middle finger. It was extraordinary, more women should be encouraged to become aware of their own bodies and the way they work. Also, while I support absolutely limiting the use of VE (listern to her NOISE, it will tell you), I feel much more confident as a mid student to perform a VE having done my own in labour! Miriam, Flinders uni Bmid.
--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > 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. > Find local movie times and trailers on Yahoo! Movies. http://au.movies.yahoo.com -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
