Internal exams while pregnant

[isabel]

Did your doctor do any internal checks before you went into labor? I've been expecting her to start checking to see if I'm dilated since we started weekly appointments, but no dice so far.

I almost feel like she's not going to bother checking anything until I go into labor. Did I make it up that doctor's do this? I'm not concerned, I just want to know what's going on, if anything.

[CajunShrimp]

I think mine started around 38 weeks. Not all doctors will do it. There is a slight increased rate of infection anytime you put something up there.

[cheeseandcrackers]

I had one at 36 weeks and something felt off down there and the another at 38 just to check progress. I assume i'll get checked at my following appointment at 39+4.

[katfco]

I think mine did on the last appointment, but I had vaginal ultrasounds at every appointment, and I had a lot of extra appointments, so I can't remember in clear detail everything that went on.

[VeryViolet]

I only got one at my appointment where they do the GBS screening (36 weeks?). It hurts and isn't really indicative of much so I wouldn't care or ask for a check. That being said, before I knew how uncomfortable it was I really wanted to know. LOL

[CajunShrimp]

Yeah, if the baby hasn't started to descend, it hurts like hell. The doc basically has to fist you to get to your cervix.

[mcfelix]

Mar 23, 2015 16:41:15 GMT -5 @astrid said:

I had my fist internal at 36 as a baseline and not again until 39.

Lol at "fist internal" - Freudian slip?

[iamgrace]

Not until 38 weeks ish. May may have been later.

[iamgrace]

Fist internal. Sounds about right.

[flamingeaux]

Mar 23, 2015 16:42:25 GMT -5 mcfelix said:

Mar 23, 2015 16:41:15 GMT -5 @astrid said:

I had my fist internal at 36 as a baseline and not again until 39.

Lol at "fist internal" - Freudian slip?

Haha. I was about to post almost the exact same thing.

[liverandonions]

Do you know if you're Group B Strep positive by chance?

[isabel]

Mar 23, 2015 16:46:38 GMT -5 liverandonions said:

Do you know if you're Group B Strep positive by chance?

I'm negative. Found out today. She did the swab last week.

[hopecounts]

Mine only does it if there is a reason too (contractions pre 35 weeks for example) or the Mom asks.
As he put it, 'it's really uncomfortable and tells us nothing useful so why do them.'

[isabel]

Mar 23, 2015 16:42:17 GMT -5 CajunShrimp said:

Yeah, if the baby hasn't started to descend, it hurts like hell. The doc basically has to fist you to get to your cervix.

that sounds delightful.

Alright, sounds like I just need to be patient. Sigh. I want this kid out of me. Lol

[cinderbella]

Mine were done at every appointment once I started going weekly - 36 weeks, I think?

[cville]

You know, mine did both times, but both times I'd had contractions that were occasionally severe beforehand and bad mentioned it.

[stephlove]

I didn't get checked until last Friday. Cervix was still really high, so it hurt quite a bit. She had to go waaayy up there to reach.

[kaybee85]

cheeseandcrackers, you're so close! eta stephlove too!

[cheeseandcrackers]

Mar 23, 2015 16:51:36 GMT -5 isabel said:

Mar 23, 2015 16:42:17 GMT -5 CajunShrimp said:

Yeah, if the baby hasn't started to descend, it hurts like hell. The doc basically has to fist you to get to your cervix.

that sounds delightful.

Alright, sounds like I just need to be patient. Sigh. I want this kid out of me. Lol

If it makes you feel any better mine really didn't hurt at all. I'm not (wasnt?) dilated just slightly effaced. Afterwards there is some cramping and spotting but that's it. 

[junebug]

My midwife asked if I wanted an internal at 37 weeks, I think. I didn't have to do them, and most times it was just a let down anyway. I would go in all optimistic that I would miraculously be 6 CM and she would send me to the hospital, but it was always, "oh, you're about a fingertip dilated." </3

[sjh722]

Mine offers - they're optional. I am nosy and want to know, so I always say yes.

Although last time I was like 1 and 50% for 2 or 3 weeks in a row and getting really pissed off about it, then my water broke and I had a baby about 4 hours after I was still 1 and 50%.

This time, I was at 2 and 70% at 38 weeks and the same day, my friend who was 40+ was also 2 and 70% and had her baby 3 days later. I am still sitting here pregnant.

They really don't mean anything, but mentally, it feels like progress, LOL.

[whiskeyandwine]

I just asked today! She said weekly starting at 36, so I have a few weeks still.

[estrellita]

My doctor checked weekly starting at 36 weeks.

[whitemerlot]

Only at 40 weeks and after.

[Queen Mamadala]

They were routine practice with #1 and #2 starting at 36-38 weeks. My midwives with my other three only did them if they were requested, and not before 37 weeks. With my last baby, I asked my midwife to confirm effacement/dilation/station at 37w4d. Her next and last VE was 10 min before LO's birth.

[adhdfashion]

Not till I hit 40 weeks.

[Cricket0619]

Mar 23, 2015 16:51:15 GMT -5 hopecounts said:

Mine only does it if there is a reason too (contractions pre 35 weeks for example) or the Mom asks.
As he put it, 'it's really uncomfortable and tells us nothing useful so why do them.'

This.

[Deleted]

Why do I still not understand most pregnancy posts?

I had a baby and everything. Really.

[ElizabethBennet]

I got them last time and am planning on declining them this pregnancy. They were painful and, at least for me, meant nothing.

[cville]

Mar 23, 2015 16:59:38 GMT -5 cheeseandcrackers said:

Mar 23, 2015 16:51:36 GMT -5 isabel said:

that sounds delightful.

Alright, sounds like I just need to be patient. Sigh. I want this kid out of me. Lol

If it makes you feel any better mine really didn't hurt at all. I'm not (wasnt?) dilated just slightly effaced. Afterwards there is some cramping and spotting but that's it. 

Yeah.  Perhaps it's my WIDE-SET VAGINA or something, but it was like "huh, not the most comfortable thing on earth but whatever."

And I was dilated out the yin yang.