a WWYD question....

[SallySparrow]

Obviously there's no right or wrong answer. My OB does not start internal checks until 38 or 39 weeks, unless I just want him to check. His reasoning is that it doesn't really tell you anything and it's uncomfortable so he just waits.

I kind of want to know WTH is going on in there...but I could just wait another week or two.

Woke up this morning feeling really good for the first time in forever and had a couple contractions this morning that were different, but still not regular. I'm debating if I want to have him check today.

When does your doc start checking? Would you request a technically "early" check or just keep your pants on and wait it out?

[halfpint]

I've been refusing them, and will until I'm past my due date - some doctors in my practice will only do them on request before 40 weeks, some push for them starting at 38 weeks. Team Your Doctor.

[thejackpot]

I say just wait. They are not pleasant so don't put yourself through that if you don't have to.

[SallySparrow]

You people and your rational thought process.

[blindyswife]

Aug 12, 2013 9:13:03 GMT -5 swizz said:

I'm with your doctor and will be refusing them until 40 weeks.

Yup. 

The info the cervical check tells you is pretty much useless. I don't want them until its completely necessary.

[sweetminnesnowtan]

My doctor did a cervical check at my 28 week appointment to check for preterm labor. It wasn't uncomfortable so I don't think it's as involved as the checks later on maybe? It didn't hurt and it was quick. I have my 32 week appointment today and I'm not sure if she's checking again.

[Velar Fricative]

I'll ask my doctor on Thursday but I wouldn't want an internal check until 40 weeks. I'm afraid of feeling disappointed if there's no progress, or if there *is* progress but I still go past my due date.

[redpenmama]

My OB will do them from 36 weeks on. Last pregnancy, I had one at 36 weeks since they were already down there for the Group B strep test. My OB recommended not doing it after that since I was a first timer and would likely be disappointed. I had another at 39 weeks because I was curous, and I had made no progress in that three-week period.

I'd be curious too if I was having contractions, so I don't blame you for wanting to be checked. I don't think I'll be checked at all this time around -- it only tells you where you are at that point. They were really painful for me, and based on my experience, they aren't that helpful. After being told at 39 weeks that I had made no progress and talking to my OB about how long she'd let me go until induction was necessary, I went into labor about 12 hours later.

[KKD]

My OB also does them weekly starting at 36 weeks. Personally, I don't find them that uncomfortable, and since I understand that no progress or some progress can mean very little, I still like to know what's going on down there.

With my first, I had zero progress until I was finally 1cm at 41 weeks and was later induced. With my second, I was 1cm from 37 to 41 weeks when I went into labor. This time, I've been 1cm since 36 weeks. Needless to say, I don't have any expectations that this baby is going to come early.

[hymen]

I wouldn't worry about it. You could be 3 cm dilated and still walk around for weeks before labor. As my midwife kept emphasizing with DS, dilation only means something if you have the productive contractions to go with it.

I had one cervix check at 39 weeks because I was contracting rather regularly but my cervix was barely a finger tip open so it didn't matter. I ended up needing cervadil (cervix ripener) at 41 weeks.

And they are really uncomfortable.

[winecheery]

Although I am curious to know what's going on down there, if anything, I am actually kind of glad my doc won't do it until 38 or 39 weeks, something like that. It would only get my hopes up to know if there was "progress" and then...crickets...

[Cheesecake]

I haven't asked, but I think they don't do internals.here until you're past due.

Sent from my Xperia Z, please don't mind typos!