Hi

OP is the abbreviation for Occipital Posterior position which means that the baby would be lying with its back against mums back. We prefer it if the back is around the front of mums tummy in labour but some baby's just like to use mums back as a hammock and don't want to move!!

Vic xx

__________________
Vicky
Liverpool Independent Midwives

I try not tell women not to push coz if a woman wants to push and she cant stop herself shes gonna push no matter what i say. And why do have to VE a woman to confirm full dilattaion when all that does is make ceratain people clock watch.

__________________
Leah xx

As has been said there are a variety of other signs to watch out for.
I am personally against routine VE unless clinically indicated. Guidelines are just that, not rules.... hospital protocols dip into guildelines as it suits it seems to me.

I think there is something fundamentaly wrong with a system that promotes/gives a midwife the power of "allowing" a woman push only when the midwife says it is ok after an invasive and often very uncomfortable/painful procedure.

I personally think VE's are far to subjective and we should watch and listen to women more. Look at the purple line, its a cracking indicator and you know from a woman's behaviour that things are changing!

You don't always have to do a VE to assess if you're lady should or shouldn't push, if she is getting strong urges then all her outwardly signs should tell you if she is fully dilated - the most obvious being the vertex!! lol! I was told by a midwife that if the vertex isnt visible then there is no point getting her to push as the head just isnt decended enough and if the baby is OP then the only thing is to suggest position change, get mum on all fours which may also be more comfortable for her if she has backache. I think the case of the oedematus cervix is quite a rare one as I'm sure that there is no actual evidence that proves pushing on the cervix causes this? Duno, I could be completely wrong!! (its not the first time and won't be the last!!)

__________________

What does everyone else think?

__________________
J
StudentMidwife.NET Founder & Director



Please help us raise funds for a bereavement room in Honey's memory by taking part in the SMNET Auction & Raffle here thanks x

LOL - have just started work on a presentation called, to VE or not to VE that is the question!
such an interesting topic, and opinion is always divided. Will post up some stuff when it's al done and dusted
x

__________________
Site Administrator, Student Mentor Scheme Manager

STMW 2nd year - no, really!

Please help us raise funds for a bereavement room in Honey's memory by taking part in the SMNET Auction & Raffle here thanks x

There are outward signs, and as a student having/being told to VE I feel I haven't got the enviable palpation skills of old, where midwives reported to have seldom done VE's in favour of palpation instead to assess descent, station etc...
The purple line is good but only on certain women, and if she is in the correct position to assess it, the other signs suggested earlier are good signs and hints but I wouldn't take them as read that she's fully.
Nor would I get a woman to push if the urge wasn't there, just no point is there?

__________________


Have you just been offered a place? If so and you want a mentor please post in post this forum (also post here if you would like a mentee)