My midwives said the group b strep is just a quick swab, there is NO speculum used like a Pap smear. They don't do pelvic or cervix checks unless I request it. I don't get undressed at my appointments. I just lift my shirt so they can measure my belly.
My OB used a speculum, but it was in and out so quickly that I thought he was removing it just to adjust it and go back in! I didn't feel a thing. Maybe he was looking at my cervix as well, but he never said anything about it.
I had my group b swab yesterday and it felt more external than internal. Perhaps he snuck the qtip into my vagina without my noticing, but it felt more like a swab of my vaginal opening/vulva/perinium. Definitely no speculum involved. Since my pants were off and I was in the stirrups already I asked him to check my cervix. That part was a bit more uncomfortable. I am half a cm dialated and not at all effaced. I think I am going to pass on the checks in the future.
I had this appointment yesterday. She did check my cervix (zero progress) as well as the strep b swab. It was mildly uncomfortable, but then again what isn't these days?! It was really no big deal!
I had my strep b test last week. I agree with pp that it felt similar to a pap. She checked my cervix after but I was having pretty regular Braxton Hicks. I was soft, his head's engaged but I'm closed. This week she offered to check but I told her I didn't want anymore until I was in active labor. She seemed relieved by my decision because it really doesn't tell much about when labor's coming.
I had the strep b and cervix check too . I thought the cervix check was more comfortable than a pap , I hate the clamp and scratching of the cervix ! Fingers were much better ! I guess I'm not dialated but she did say it was thinning and that the baby's head is very very low
Re: 36 week appointment