I remember seeing a thread about this a long time ago.
Is there a reason to opt out of internals once you're far enough along in your pregnancy that your doctor wants to start doing them? (And when did your doctor start doing internals?)
What about during labor? Why do people opt out or request fewer internal checks?
because they don't always mean something and if you aren't progressing it can be disappointing to hear that nothing is happening (and even if nothing is happening you can still go into labor at any time). Also, they hurt, really bad.
I think there's more reasons out there but I think I want to avoid them as to not disapoint myself. If you lurk on the December/January boards there's tons of posts with "no progress :-(" by chicks that are only 36 weeks. Ladies, calm the eff down. Also, you know, stay out of my vag.
Post by kangaroo11 on Dec 12, 2012 10:39:11 GMT -5
On my BMB, they say that you can risk infection, they don't say much about when you'll go into labor, so why bother with it when there's those reasons and they hurt a lot. I'll probably be getting my first one this week, but I may opt out at my appt next week.
OMG they HURT. And if your OB offers to "strip your membranes" to help things progress, please say no for the love of all things holy. I still can't get that horror out of my mind.
Post by matildasun on Dec 12, 2012 10:40:33 GMT -5
With my daughter I was 2 cm dilated at 37 weeks. My Dr. told me that she would probably be early. She came on her due date.
When I was pregnant with my son they didn't offer to check until 2 days before my due date. I refused, because I didn't want to be over excited or disappointed.
I understand membrane stripping often hurts a lot, and I plan to refuse that. But just a check? Is it because they're really getting up into your cervix? I figured it was similar to a pap - insert spec, then maybe reach in a finger and gently touch?
Post by MamaMaui24 on Dec 12, 2012 10:49:13 GMT -5
They didn't really hurt me. Uncomfortable yes. But very quick and I like to have all the information available.
The baby was in the way of my cervix, so I had to lay with my fists under my hips and she really got in there to try to feel. It's definitely more invasive than a pap.
They are reaching WAY up in there and touching your cervix, it hurts so bad. Not like a pelvic/PAP at all. They have to use 2 fingers and kind of manhandle your cervix.
I never had them after my leak at 33 weeks because the doctor was worried about infection. The more they examine you, the more chances to introduce bacteria and other bad stuff.
I understand membrane stripping often hurts a lot, and I plan to refuse that. But just a check? Is it because they're really getting up into your cervix? I figured it was similar to a pap - insert spec, then maybe reach in a finger and gently touch?
How is it done?
I never thought checks hurt. I even told my OB that I was all geared up for it to be super painful and eh, no big deal. My OB starts them at 37w and I had no problem with it. I liked knowing where I was in the game even if in reality it doesn't make a lick of difference as to when you'll go into labor.
From my understanding,when in labor its because there is a greater risk of infection. I also think that this has to do with you water being broken, as in if your water broke you should opt to minimize internal exams because there is a risk of infection because there is now a pathway directly to the baby. I alos hear they are terribly uncomfortable and if you dont have the same person doing the internals each time its up to their judgement how far along you are. So nurse 1 comes in and you are 6 centimeters, nurse 2 comes in and thinks you are 4.
I understand membrane stripping often hurts a lot, and I plan to refuse that. But just a check? Is it because they're really getting up into your cervix? I figured it was similar to a pap - insert spec, then maybe reach in a finger and gently touch?
How is it done?
Mine never hurt, and I had them done pretty often.
Post by biscoffcookies on Dec 12, 2012 10:59:10 GMT -5
My OB starts checks at 35 weeks. I actually did not find them uncomfortable, with the exception of one doctor (my practice has multiple doctors) who, afterward, told me she tried to strip my membranes, so I'm guessing that's where the ouch factor came from.
I actually liked hearing about my progress. I knew it meant nothing in terms of when I actually went into labor (especially because I walked around at 5cm for almost a week before DD was born), but it was interesting nonetheless.
They can hurt and they don't mean anything. I had NO progress whatsoever, and I went into labor 2 days before my due date. My BFF walked around for weeks at 3cm, and finally had to be induced.
Mine never hurt until the last one, which was with a brand new doctor who "couldn't find it." Not sure what exactly she couldn't find, but she was KILLING me.
ETA: During labor, they obviously do provide some valuable information, but can also risk infection after your water is broken.
My OB starts checks at 35 weeks. I actually did not find them uncomfortable, with the exception of one doctor (my practice has multiple doctors) who, afterward, told me she tried to strip my membranes, so I'm guessing that's where the ouch factor came from.
Your doctor attempted to strip your membranes without first getting your consent? I would have flipped.
I don't get it. I didn't opt out because I like having information. Even if it's debatable what a fact means, if anything, I like having the fact. I am x cm dialated, or whatever. They didn't hurt me.
This.
Plus, the fact that I was making no progress gave me an inkling that induction might be on the horizon, so I was able to prepare for it mentally rather than be blindsided at 41 weeks, which was nice.
I did not find them uncomfortable either. With DD, I had it on my birth plan that I didn't want internal exam. With this baby, I want the exams. Why? With DD, if I didn't ask for them to check and guess how much longer so H can step out for an hour, it would have been a lot longer before finding out the baby was coming. Baby was crowning. Who knows how long she's been in that position. Everyone was rushing to get into position and getting the OB and telling me not to push. It was great that I only had to push once, but I hate the thought that she's been crowning for a while.
Post by blindyswife on Dec 12, 2012 11:10:39 GMT -5
They're pointless and don't tell you anything useful. I opted out my whole pregnancy, and finally had my first check when I was 40 weeks 4 days. I was dilated zero. I went into labor that night. Others can be dilated for weeks and never go into labor on their own.
So yeah. Keep ya hands outta me until its necessary, thankyouverymuch.
Post by mollybrown on Dec 12, 2012 11:20:27 GMT -5
I don't remember having any internal checks before I was induced either time. I do remember that they hurt like a bitch. I'm talking tears streaming down my face. Those checks were worse than the contractions for me.
Clearly the internals cause more pain for some people than others. I couldn't opt out because the information was relevant, since I was mid induction. I'm all for them if they're medically necessary, but I'd skip if it's just for the hell of it.
Post by water*drop on Dec 12, 2012 11:22:25 GMT -5
My practice will do them if you ask starting at 36 weeks but recommends not doing them until 40 weeks because they don't really tell you anything.
After your water breaks, internals increase the risk of infection, so my doctor automatically recommends not doing them after that point except when medically indicated. After my water broke, I was only checked when I got to the hospital, a few hours after they started the induction to make sure it was taking, and when I said I felt like I needed to push.
I would have probably consented to a check after 40 weeks, but I went into labour so it didn't matter.
Before that, I don't enjoy being jabbed in the cervix for no reason, so I said no thanks. I'll do the same this time. My only check last time was to confirm I was ready to push.