3rd Trimester
sweetpea814
member
For those who have declined internals...
sweetpea814
member
...how well did that go over with your doctor(s)? I just went with the flow during my first pregnancy and had internals done every week starting at week 35 or 36.
This time, however, I'd like to decline internals because they are painful (for me, at least) and they honestly don't tell you anything in regard to when you will go into labor.
The problem is, I hate going against the grain and confronting my doctor(s) about a routine procedure (I know, I know - I'm working on this!), and I'm not sure exactly what to say to my doctor at next week's appt when they want to start doing them.
So...what did you say? And how did they react?
Thanks!
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Re: For those who have declined internals...
DD1 born 5/24/10.
Missed M/C at 14 wks Feb 2012.
DD2 born 5/14/13.
Missed M/C at 9 wks July 2015.
I had a midwife. I just told her that I didn't really want internals until I was much further along. Maybe because she was a midwife and maybe because she was just awesome she was totally fine with it.
There is no reason for internals and most doctors/midwives I've asked about it say they only do them because so many women expect them and are irritated to not "know what is going on", they are glad to skip them.
I haven't even been asked; probably because I made my wishes clear early on and have a doc that believes in the same philosophy as what I am looking for out of this experience.
That being said, many women simply don't say what their desires are and wind up falling into the routine. I understand why you might feel odd about speaking up against the grain, but I wouldn't sweat it. Tell them how you feel and go from there. I would bet it won't be a big deal. Maybe a nice way to start the conversation is to ask 'do you feel like there is any information gained from internals that would affect the outcome of my pg?' This way you are opening the door to the conversation instead of saying "no". GL!
I had only had one internal with DS, when I got my GBS. My OB was able to tell me that DS was face down like he was supposed to be. I was very happy.
it was uncomfortable, but not bad. I am not going to decline it this time around. Now if it is happeneing every week and it isn't necessary I would ask if it was really needed and if not then I would pass.
Just to update:
I think I stressed about this way too much. The dr. today was totally fine with not doing an internal. I had mentioned to the assistant (the one who weighed me and took my bp) that I was hoping to pass on the internal this week because I had a lot of cramping from it last time. And since I hadn't been experiencing any contractions, dr. was totally fine skipping it.
She just made an offhand comment that most people are really curious and don't wanna skip it. Me? I'm fine not knowing. It's 70 degrees out and I can enjoy the rest of my day!!