This is new...

nocomparta · 06-14-2007, 06:58 AM

So I'm at this birth, no baby yet. Everyone is resting right now, so I popped online. Mom was 8cm last night about 10 after a LONG day of slow progress. She is doing fine, all is good. At about 2:30 she decided to have an epidural. She's been resting since then, and the doc came in about 6am to check. Her amniotic fluid released during the exam (curious...), and he pronounced her a SIX. He said the bag was stretching the cervix, and when it released, the cervix wasn't stretched out any more. I've been doing this for twelve years, and I've never heard an explanation like this. I've heard rumors of women going backwards, but I've not experienced it personally or professionally. Does that make sense?

tlcdoula · 06-14-2007, 07:29 AM

I have heard of this happening as well. It is very disappointing when it happens!!!

nocomparta · 06-14-2007, 07:44 AM

OK so an hour later she's 8 again. I'm just wondering if he was trying to bully her into a cesarean...

dorothyh · 06-14-2007, 08:33 AM

That happened at my last birth - she was 9 forever, the midwife released her membranes and then she was an 8. The midwife gave the same explanation that the dr at your birth gave.

Come on, Val's client!!! You are in the homestretch!!! Let's go have a baby!!!!

Acacia · 06-14-2007, 08:36 AM

Hope there is a baby real soon! Glad she is progressing though!

midoula · 06-14-2007, 08:48 AM

Same thing happened at my last birth. Nearly 10 then bag released and back to 8. She dilated back to 10 pretty quickly but still I know it was disappointing for her to hear 8 again.

doula Michele · 06-14-2007, 08:53 AM

I guess as long as she quickly goes back to the 1st number then its not so bad. Given that explanation it makes total sense. I must remeber to tell clients that can happen, so they don't get too discouraged.
( honestly, most of my clients don't still have their bag of water at 8 cm).

UtahDoula · 06-14-2007, 10:21 AM

Yup, seen it a couple times and heard the same explanation as well.

earthgirl · 06-14-2007, 10:25 AM

Hmmm. Good to know. I've only heard about the story Ina May told about the woman going backwards in dilation once she got to the hospital.

for your client.

BlessedBottomz · 06-14-2007, 12:40 PM

My labor did this without the water releasing. I was 6cm, +1 and after getting some rest and my contractions slowing way down, I went to 5cm 0 station. Weird huh? I still don't quite know what to think about that.

Mile High Doula · 06-14-2007, 12:51 PM

Yes, I have seen and heard this same explanation and have spoken to midwives I know about it. It is a TRUE anomoly. Not sure if he was trying to bully her or not though.

fearlessbirth · 06-14-2007, 04:30 PM

Any update? Hope this mama continued progressing, that every one got some good rest and she was able to PUSH her baby out!

helpinghands · 06-14-2007, 05:21 PM

Ack; how disapointing for your client. I hope that she is able to avoid a cesarean. Update when you can.

DL · 06-14-2007, 09:16 PM

I've also seen this exact same scenario twice, also with the same explanation by the CNM. Yes, it does happen, but like most of the other posters have said, my moms also dilated back to where they were fairly quickly afterwards.

moncton doula · 06-14-2007, 09:23 PM

Same thing happened to my client at a birth last night-strange but true.