Internals...

amt725

anyone else getting close to starting their internal exams? Starting next week I will begin and remember how miserable the rest of the day was after them. STMs any of you not looking forward to chasing after one child while cramping from the second? Or third?

juliaandpatrick

So not to sound like a SS, but I'm a FTM and start mine next week as well, why does the rest of the day suck? Are they worse than the internal sonograms in the beginning?

amt725

I mean they aren't debilitating or anything but you've got a bambino pushing down while they are poking around up there and if you are starting to thin or dilate it just isn't fun, it doesn't tickle and I usually get crampy and have BH after. I didn't think internal u/s were bad at all, this is not the same.

nursemom83

I had one at 32 weeks. No fun. But it's reassurance to know that everything is good.

juliaandpatrick

Well thanks for that warning. I had no idea what to expect.
I do have to admit though, in a way I'm kind of glad it doesn't tickle. That sounds like it would be awkward..

amt725

Hahaha! I'd rather a tickle haha! Thank you for the laugh! It's not horrible like anything to be nervous about but it's not comfortable.

marybeth05

I had spotting after internals with my previous pregnancies but no other issues or anything that affected the rest of my day. After he stripped my membranes it was more than spotting and was uncomfortable while he did it but wasn't horrible.
I would guess it is different for everyone.

MandieLeeS123

Are internals when they check to see if your dilated?

amt725

They check to see if you are dilated, effaced and how baby's sitting in there. Just lots of poking

houser1406

I start mine in 2 weeks...just made all my appts. I'm not looking forward to them since my mom said she was sore for a day after hers. Wah

MandieLeeS123

Ok thanks just checking, I had to have a ton of those when I was in the hospital for pre-term labor. They honestly did hurt but a nurse told me to make fists and put them under my lower back/bottom and take deep breaths it helped a ton. After that it didn't seem as bad. I felt fine afterwards. I was relieved after that nurse gave me that advice so I hope it helps some of you as well.

pistachio&blush

FTM.... I did not know about this.... I feel a little anxious about it now. Glad to know a little advance so that I can mentally prepare. Hopefully it's not that bad.

MudLover

My doctor hasn't mentioned anything about when he plans on starting internals. I'm not looking forward to them at all! 

amt725

Usually appointments start weekly at 36 weeks and they include internals.

I didn't mean to get anyone nervous about them! They aren't horrible but they aren't fun.

kjuryfl

I never had cramping or bleeding after internals with my 1st... Not even when I had my membranes swept. Lol! My OB starts them at 35 wks when she does the group B test and weekly after that. 

Babykells3

My OB is starting internals at my next appt in 2 weeks (so 36 weeks). This is #3 for me but I've never gone over 36 weeks so we will see how it goes...

xuxachi

I hated them and really they are kinda pointless. I actually declined then until I was something like 38 weeks last time.

sken1230

Just got back from my 35 week appointment and had an internal.  I wasn't prepared for it and was surprised to see the telltale OB drapery waiting for me in the exam room :P  It's not my favorite part of the visit, but its just for the last few weeks so it is bearable.  I never had any spotting or issues after internals with my first two children so hopefully #3 will follow suite.  It was exciting to hear that I'm thinning!!  There is light (I mean a baby) at the end of the tunnel!!  

be888

I will be refusing internal exams. There is no real reason to do them. A lot of OBs don't do them anymore.

clover28

I don't think my midwife does them but I'm not 100% sure.  I do agree they aren't routinely recommended by the American College of Gynecology anymore so I may refuse them as well.  However, it would be interesting to know if I'm one of those moms that walks around dilated to 3cm for weeks.

Lida1182

Pretty sure with my last pregnancy the OB did one at 30 something weeks for the group b strep and asked if I wanted her to check after that. I declined as I saw no point.

Anicole14

I'm supposed to start Monday but am choosing to decline until around 38 weeks

topaz7777

I thought it was uncomfortable when they did the actual check but don't recall it being anything I still felt later in the day.  I don't think they are planning to check me this time unless I have some preterm labor symptoms.

RSupry

Mine start in a couple weeks, since I'm attempting Vbac I'm not going to be declining. Hopefully it will help, I'm really trying to avoid another c-section. This will be my second and we are done after this so I'm hoping to have this one as naturally as possible.

khart79

I just asked my midwife when they'd be starting (I'm 33w) since this is a new practice for me. She told me they don't do internals unless there is a problem that needs to be checked out. Fine by me!

pistachio&blush

After learning about this on here, I asked my doctor at my last appointment on Friday. I have my first internal at my next appointment in two weeks. I will be 35 weeks then. The doctor confirmed that they are uncomfortable but nothing to be worried about. Good luck ladies!

summerlynn21

I will be refusing them until labor unless something medically necessary pops up. I learned that there's really no point from birth class and doula. Especially a no no if gbs positive for increased risk of infection.

mhickey426

I didn't have one until 39 weeks with my first. It wasn't that bad. What sucked was when he stimulated my cervix. That hurt

demirhae

Like a PP said I don't plan on having them until labor begins. Some women can walk around for days being 3cm so what's the point in knowing if nothing else is progressing.