38wks and no internals?!

Sashee

Hey everyone! I normally just lurk here, but have a question out of curiosity. Have any of you heard of being 38 weeks and not having internals? I thought for sure the Dr would check me at my last appointment since he did the Strep B test, but nothing. Then today at my 38 week appointment I asked if he was going to check me and no. Is this strange to anyone else?! TIA!

anabell0920

My doctor said he starts internals at 36 weeks. I am going to decline because being effaced or dilated means nothing. You can be dilated for weeks and still not go into labor and vice versa. Some doctors will not check you until you are in labor.

rocksteady91@hotmail.com

My midwife didnt check me until my 40wk appt.,which quite honestly was fine with me because nothing was/is happening and had she been checking all along i would've probably been more disappointed.

andrew's_bride

Nope, my OB doesn't do them either. He feels for baby's position externally, and has told me that she is engaged and that I could go any time. I have never asked him why he doesn't do internals though.

Sashee

Whew! Thanks everyone! I feel a lot better now. I was getting worried because it seems as if EVERYONE starts being checked around 36-37 weeks. I think I prefer to not know anything because I know you can go for weeks being dilated and it really means nothing. She will come when she's ready and I'm ready for her whenever that day comes. Good luck to all of you!!

poison489

They are not required and really don't mean much. My doctor has said maybe at 39 weeks.They should as pp have said be checking to see if LO is in position though.  We did that at ,y 37 week appointment with an u/s

smilelari

Internals give very little useful information unless you are experiencing pre-term labor symptoms or are accessing likelihood of induction success plus they introduce an infection risk.  Whether or not baby is breech can be determined by feeling from the outside.

intelgal

at the birth center, they don't do it until you are 40 weeks

yes, and it doens't mean much. You can be completely closed, not dilated and go into labor next day, OR you can be dilated for 1-2 cm, effaced and everything and not go into labor for a few weeks.

Mrs. Busy

My doctor will not check me until I am in labor.  Thank goodness because it is a little painful. If your pregnancy has been going ok, there really is no benefit to doing it.

sarahmae8

I declined it this week but will be checked next when I am 38 weeks.