Re: VBAC question
In a message dated 3/04/02 5:13:37 PM AUS Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Please excuse my inexperience on this issue, but I thought that putting a hand inside a uterus that has just given birth was dangerous (unless there was a life threatening situation) increased the chance of rupturing the uterus. I am sure some wise woman told me this during my mid. training (could be wrong though). I have never heard of this being performed either. Tina H. Hi Tina, Mary and all, in carrying on from this (and yes right on Jennifairy), I have worked with a woman who too was subjected to a 'manual exploration' of her uterus following an EBAC. She described it as absolutely 'horrendous' and 'excruciating' and was not aware that the procedure would be performed til the event !! She perceived it as the OB's attempt to 'punish' her for her birth choice and the reclaiming of ownership for her own birthing experience Perhaps the reason why some of you haven't heard of the procedure being performed before is that, the evidence doesn't support the routine 'manual exploration of the uterusin search for uterine rupture or dehiscence without symptoms' following vaginal births after previous CS. Enkin, Keirse et al (2000, pg 367) in 'A Guide for Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth ' state on the issue that "Manual exploration of a scared uterus immediately after a vaginal birth is often inconclusive. It is difficult to be sure whether or not the thin, soft, lower segment is intact. In any case, in the absence of bleeding or systemic signs, a rupture without symptoms discovered postpartum does not require any treatment, so the question of diagnosis would be academic. In the absence of epidural or general anaesthesia, it is also very painful to the women..No studies have shown any benefit from routine manual exploration of the uterus in women who have had a previous CS. There is always a risk of introducing infection by the manual exploration, or of converting a dehiscence into a larger rupture." Yours in birth, Tina Pettigrew Birthworks Bachelor of Midwifery Student and Independent CBE Convenor, Aust B. Mid Student Collective. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BMidStudentCollective [EMAIL PROTECTED] " As we trust the flowers to open to new life - So we can trust birth" Harriette Hartigan. ---
Re: VBAC question
Hi Tina - it IS dangerous. Aside from what the woman is feeling at the time (I shudder!), it has the potential to causephysical trauma and introduce infection. This pactice went out with button up boots. - Original Message - From: Marty Tina To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2002 5:10 PM Subject: Re: VBAC question Please excuse my inexperience on this issue, but I thought that putting a hand inside a uterus that has just given birth was dangerous (unless there was a life threatening situation) increased the chance of rupturing the uterus. I am sure some wise woman told me this during my mid. training (could be wrong though). I have never heard of this being performed either. Tina H.
Melbourne Based Advice Question on Breech Baby
Hi All, Yet another question from me for a friend who is imminently expecting. She is 37 wks (maybe a touch under) with a breech baby and unsuccessful ECV. Apparently baby is breech with legs extended (feet beside ears), and 3 attempts to turn were unsuccessful (this was attempted yesterday). This baby is her second - and baby #1 was delivered vaginally with no complications - 8lb+ She is being told caesar is the way to go, though she is desperately disappointed. I mentioned acupuncture to try, and I wondered if there is anyone out there who can help in providing contacts of anyone who is likely to be able to help turn this baby - she is willing to try (almost!) anything. Thanks in advance, Jo (I am now a mother of two! Second baby born March 31, 2002 - a son, Alec, weighing 3950g, measuring 54 cm long, and 36 cm head, discharged under 24 hours after birth - and I got the uncomplicated vaginal delivery I always dreamed of - and now fully appreciate why they call it 'labour!) -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
VBAC question
Am I missing something here but this sounds like assault. Did the woman consentto this? She only has to say no andwe should tell them that they do not have to be subjected to this barbaric treatment. Julia M.
manual exploration
Re VBAC and manual checking of the uterine scar immediately after a vaginal birth Most of you who have commented on this have been horrified - rightly so I believe. I would like to add my personal experience of manual exploration of my (unscarred) uterus after ordinary vaginal births in 1973 and 75 in Michigan USA. The doctors attending these births proceeded to do a bi-manual exploration of my uterus as soon as the placenta had been delivered. Left hand grips the fundus abdominally, and right hand goes all the way in. I don't remember this as a traumatic or specially painful manoeuvre and it was all over in a flash. I remember asking what he was doing, and he said it was important to make sure the uterus was empty. Next time I didn't ask cos I already knew! I won't go into why I allowed such a thing to be done. The power gap between me, as a 23 year old 'resident alien' (that's what I was called, as I had a green card) in that country, and the 'system' was immense, but w ould have been pretty much the same if I had stayed in Australia. I had completed midwifery training at the Royal Women's in Melbourne earlier the same year. I was submissive to all authority, and particularly in the medical field. The spark of independent thinking was dormant, and waiting to be ignited. My experience reminds me that there have been, and still are, many practices that have been imposed on women in the name of scientific medical (and midwifery) care. It's less than 30 years since I was shaved, enema'd, put in a white gown with a split all the way down the back, IV drip'd, VE'd every hour to assess progress, confined, stirrup'd, episiotimy'd, take a deep breath and push, push, push, and the rest. My baby was sucked out, wrapped tightly, separated from me, 'allowed' to suckle for brief periods, and taken to a nursery for observation. I was given something to 'help' me rest, and my baby was given cows milk formula in the nursery, even though I had said I didn't want this to happen. Yet we survive to tell the story, and much of what happened 30 years ago still happens today. Women still submit, and midwives still support ritualistic practices that do not benefit the woman or baby. My heart longs for the day when I see real improvements in maternity services here in Victoria, and in the rest of Australia. Joy Johnston -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
