I didn't think they hurt that badly- more than a pap but not bad. I had one done at 36w and he found the baby was breech so that started our conversation about options and scheduling an u/s to confirm.
I really liked knowing my progress and it was over quickly with no pain, just uncomfortable. My OB didn't do it until I was 37-38 weeks anyway. I had to be induced with my son, so I was hoping to go on my own with my daughter, and checking my cervix indicated that that was likely.
Also, I was 40 weeks with my daughter and again, really didn't want to be induced. I was walking around 5 cm dilated for a week. The OB promised that if he stripped my membranes I'd have her that weekend. It was a little painful, but he was right, she came on Sunday.
Oh and because he knew I was so progressed he told me to get to the hospital as soon as I had regular contractions (I messed that one up and came in at 10cm).
Post by chickenlittle on Dec 12, 2012 12:01:24 GMT -5
My OB actually wouldn't do them, unless I requested it. He was in the same camp as me: the information doesn't really tell us anything, so there's no point in doing it.
With that said, he did one when I was diagnosed with pre-e at 39 weeks to see if I was favorable for Cervadil to move things along. There happened to be a blood vessel right across my cervix where he checked me, and I hemorrhaged for a good half hour. THAT was fun. Because of that hemorrhage, they didn't perform any internals the next day when I was in labor until my OB wanted to start Pitocin. When in labor, the worst part was getting an internal in the throes of a contraction. That is a special kind of hell.
I didn't think they hurt that badly- more than a pap but not bad. I had one done at 36w and he found the baby was breech so that started our conversation about options and scheduling an u/s to confirm.
But you don't need an internal to see the baby's breech. Even if thy don't feel it when they feel your belly, they'll notice they've misjudged the position when the heartbeat's in the wrong place.
What does it say about me that internals didn't hurt me? No different that a pap to me. Is this a hotdog down a hallway situation?
Ha!
I'm still trying to figure out why internals while pregnant were no big deal, but my pap last month and subsequent ovary check about sent me off the table. Even my OB noticed my obvious discomfort. :/
I also didn't mind them. But the information doesn't mean much. When I had my 37 week check, the doctor said, "Well, this baby is not coming any time soon." I went into labor within a few hours of that visit.
Post by gibbinator on Dec 12, 2012 13:15:08 GMT -5
I personally didn't find them uncomfortable, but didn't want any until I passed my due date and wanted a membrane sweep.
As pps have said, they don't really tell you anything since you can go from 0 to 10 in an our, or sit at 3cm for weeks. During labour they're annoying because it means you have to lie on your back and you may or may not want to be there
Post by hannamaren on Dec 12, 2012 13:16:51 GMT -5
I had ultrasounds every week so maybe that was why my doctor never bothered. During labour, the contractions were horrible, so sticking his hand in me was nothing. Maybe I am a hotdog hallway too.
Post by Ashley&Scott on Dec 12, 2012 13:20:44 GMT -5
I didn't opt out. My OB started them around 36/37 weeks.
They didn't hurt until I was actually in labor, then OMG I could have kicked the nurse in the face. I actually asked them to have another nurse check me, I was convinced it was her short fat fingers. It wasn't any better with nurse #2 though.
Also I had to be checked to be admitted to L&D. (my water hadn't broken when I went into labor & I had to show progress)
Mine never hurt. I had to know. I also begged to have my membranes stripped and even though its against office policy, I'm almost positive my dr did it.
Post by dr.girlfriend on Dec 12, 2012 14:30:18 GMT -5
A stranger's fingers in your vag for no reason? I'll pass, TYVM. I'm usually information-seeking, but from what I understand it doesn't actually change anything so...no.
A stranger's fingers in your vag for no reason? I'll pass, TYVM. I'm usually information-seeking, but from what I understand it doesn't actually change anything so...no.
Well, I would hope the exam would be done by your OB or midwife as opposed to a stranger off the street. But I get where you are coming from. I tend to think it is probably best to decline, yet I find myself wanting to do them anyway.
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.
This. With my first pregnancy, my doctor only did one internal at 39 weeks. With my third pregnancy, I had two internals (and it was the same doctor).
Post by iheartbanjos on Dec 12, 2012 15:07:19 GMT -5
My midwives don't do them because they are usually an unnecessary intervention and don't provide much information.
I had my first (and only) done at my 41 week appointment. I had already felt that I was starting to go into labor and was 3cm at the time. I let them strip my membranes and got to 5cm pretty quick. Had the baby 20 hours later.
Post by dragonfly08 on Dec 12, 2012 15:25:22 GMT -5
Yep, they're potentially uncomfortable, aren't very informative since however dilated/effaced you may be at the exam has little to do with when you'll actually go into labor, and they slightly increase your risk of pelvic infection.
Post by jackpackage on Dec 12, 2012 15:29:15 GMT -5
I didn't have one. I had placenta previa, so nothing was allowed up there. If I get pregnant again and somehow don't have previa, I'll be passing on the internals.
I'm cringing just thinking about it. They put my catheter in before giving me drugs, and I screamed so loud. The nurse was like "uh, it's not even in yet. That was just me cleaning before insertion." OMG, so much pain!
Post by cherry1111 on Dec 12, 2012 15:59:59 GMT -5
They aren't fun, but they haven't been too painful for me. I did have spotting after the one I had on Monday. But it let my dr know that I'm only a fingertip dilated so I am being admitted Sunday night for cervidil instead of just going to the hospital on Monday and starting pitocin.
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.
It was okay by me. I was hugely pregnant and had said something earlier in the appointment about how I was ready to go into labor. I would have appreciated a heads up for purposes of the ouch factor but did not object to the procedure in general.
I didn't mind them. And I don't think they are totally useless information either. For instance, I knew that I was not at all dialated when I had my last appt with my OB. When I started having contractions DH checked my cervix (lol-- don't worry, we had sterile gloves at home) about a couple hours and I was 3 cm so we knew they were doing something. It can be helpful to have a baseline and there really isn't any infection risk until your water breaks. After that, they use sterile gloves and the risk is still minimal.
A stranger's fingers in your vag for no reason? I'll pass, TYVM. I'm usually information-seeking, but from what I understand it doesn't actually change anything so...no.
This is my feeling. It gets a big ol' "no thanks" from me.
Your doctor attempted to strip your membranes without first getting your consent? I would have flipped.
It was okay by me. I was hugely pregnant and had said something earlier in the appointment about how I was ready to go into labor. I would have appreciated a heads up for purposes of the ouch factor but did not object to the procedure in general.
This is puzzling to me. You were ok with your doctor performing a procedure on you without your consent, one that could've caused you to go into pre-term labor?
That is a huge no-no in my provider's office.
You don't have to answer, but I would've raised hell, too.
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.
My OB did the same flucking thing! She was doing a internal the day before my due date, and I felt a very sharp, VERY PAINFUL pinch. I yelped loudly "OWWW!" and she said all sweetly "oh just seeing if I can move things along." I didn't understand what she meant until my water broke an hour later. I was so mad!
During labor after I got the first internal to gauge progress, I refused any more internals until I got my epi. The internals were extremely painful for me. Worse than the contractions. They said it was b/c my cervix was so high. I was huffing and crying while trying to hold still.
I did not get any internals prior to being induced(16 or so hours after my water broke and no progress). OMG-The cervix check hurt soooooooo MUCH. I screamed in pain whenever I had one. I seem to remember having quite a few(2 or 3?), as I was not progressing fast and ended up in a c-section 30 hours after my water broke, and I had only progressed to 4 cm.
Oh, and I was totally a "no epi ever" prior to giving birth, and now I would like to request one before paps;) I never ask my GYN, but I always tell my dh I want one!