Are internals supposed to be painful?

Dancer6978

I'm just wondering if my pain tolerance is still next to nil.  I had one a little bit ago to make sure I wasn't in preterm labor (based on symptoms I was having). It was horribly painful to me, and while it was happening, all I could think about was how wimpy I'm going to be during childbirth and labor if I couldn't take a simple cervix check.  Please tell me it's not just me; either that, or try to give me some encouragement!  :P  Also, how often do they perform them in "normal" pregnancies?

sam19

I think it might depend on your doctor. I never thought vaginal exams were painful but then I had an intern do one once and I was trying to jump off that table.

PuppyMommy

I just had my first one this past Thursday at 40w 2 d and it was pretty painful.  I, too, questioned how I would be during labor if a measly internal hurt.  I guess there's only one way to find out...

mamaofliam

They don't hurt for me but many women on here have said they are painful. It might have to do with your OB or MW.

I get internals every week now (starting at 36 wks) but not every dr does them that frequently and some don't do them at all.

SethandSara

Mine was painful because of the positioning of my baby.

Dancer6978

OK. At least it's not just me. It was done at the hospital by an L&D nurse, so she won't be my regular.

Manderlin923

I think it depends on the practitioner. You'll get lots of different answer on this board. I won't be getting one until 40 weeks unless I request it (I won't for several reasons)

You can always turn it down, unless you are having a problem like you had this time and need to know if it's something serious. Other than that, i don't see a valid reason to do it and many women refuse internals until they feel comfortable getting one. Internals increase the risk of infection, can be uncomfortable (clearly this is the case for you) and they don't tell you anything about when labor will begin....

I have heard some women say they're not painful, some say they are mildly uncomfortable and others say they're pretty bad. I think it depends on how gentle your doctor/mw is and maybe how sensitive you are? 

Hope that helps  

ToledoDeux

I had two during my last pregnancy, and they were both incredibly painful.  But it seems like we're both in the minority here - most people don't seem to mind them.  I've heard that it's mostly due to where your cervix is positioned.

And it really doesn't translate to how well you will handle labor - they are completely different kinds of pain. 

As to how often they perform them - that's up to your doc/MW, but also up to you.  They aren't necessary, and you can decline having them.  I won't be having any with this pregnancy.

PuppyMommy

Oh, and my doc doesn't start doing them until after you hit 40 weeks unless there is a medical reason or if you specifically request one. I don't even think he was going to do one at my last appt., but I already had my pants off...haha.

MrsQueenB

For me it depends on who does them. I've had some when I wanted to jump off the table and some that weren't bad at all.

meg1974

I started having them weekly at 35 weeks. The first one wasn't too bad, but it has gotten increasingly painful every week.

kkenner

Mine wasn't painful just uncomfortable for the moment...

ShawMich

It depends on the doctor/midwife.  I had several internals for my first pregnancy & they didn't bother me a bit.  Then at the hospital, a nurse came in with these huge sausage fingers--and I've never felt pain like that before.  She even apologized in advance for her large fingers.  You aren't a wimp!

Usually, they will start in a pregnancy at your 36th week.  My doctor's office didn't do it every week, but about every other to see if I was progressing.  Once you are in the hospital, they will check you to see if you are dilating and the progress you've made.

Mrs.RMama

I've gotten one each week beginning last week and it was painful in the moment but then not afterward.... I hope they don't get more painful!

shainaesther

The first one my OB performed at 37 weeks HURT, but it was nothing compared to the one performed by a nurse in L&D at the beginning of July. If it helps, as the baby moves down, I've found that it hurts less (I even survived having my membranes stripped). I was told by my mother that it just depends on who performs them - some of the nurses seem to struggle with it more than others.

shabang21

Mine aren't painful.  Uncomfortable?  Yes.  It wasn't any worse than a pap smear to me, if anything less worse since it's over with so quickly!

My doctor does them once a week starting at 36 weeks.  I had 2 done on week 36 though since I had two appointments that week.

 

lovesazzie

I have had one so far and it was very uncomfortable, borderline painful. You can opt out of them if you want. I won't be having another until 40 weeks.