Internals can't cause labor to progress right?

ildali

I was reading on some other website (yahoo answers i think) while searching internals and some lady post that the doc might push on your belly in order to feel the baby cervix etc and then she said something how she didnt mind because it would make baby be lower and for labor to progress, if this is the case then i DO NOT want my internal done next week

mchupie

I don't think it is common, but yes I have heard that some people go into labor shortly after an internal exam.

broccolitree

yahoo answers is one of the largest compendiums of moronic 'advice' on the internet.  You'd probably get better information trolling 4chan.

Tracy6450

I think it's all really a coincidence if people go into labor shortly after an internal exam.  I've had 3 and as much as I want my baby out he's still in there. 

izzourclue

When I went to L&D at 34 weeks, they warned me that the internal could "stir the pot."  I don't think they'll start anything, but if you are already progressing, they can sometimes speed things up. 

hjk5000

Unless your body is ready to go into labor, no, an internal will not cause anything to happen.  Kinda like having sex or driving over speed bumps to induce labor.

ildali

hmm I rather be safe than sorry I want baby to stick around at least till week 37so for peace of mind I'm going to ask to wait till I am closer to my due date for my internal, thanks ladies!

houndbaby

If they strip your membranes while doing an internal that can help labor to start, but you have to be a few cm dilated already for them to be able to do that.

larrysdarling

hjk5000:

Unless your body is ready to go into labor, no, an internal will not cause anything to happen.  Kinda like having sex or driving over speed bumps to induce labor.

Actually, sex can help start labor. There are prostaglandins in semen that can cause your cervix to ripen. Plus having an orgasm can make you contract.  I think you have to have a lot of sex for it to work though...

starsmaycollide

Well there's nothing wrong with putting them off, but they aren't going to put you into labor if your body isn't ready yet. I don't think it would have any effect like that unless you were already dialated/effacing and they stripped your membranes on purpose. Just an internal by itself (if you're closed, not dilated) is going to put you into labor.

FWIW, I had my first one yesterday. Maybe I got lucky but it wasn't bad or that invasive at all like I expected.  People describe them like they were going to be up their elbows in there or something, and it was not like that at all.

Ceefome

Think about it this way, why would a doctor do something that would put you into labor that early in your pregnancy?  They wouldn't.  So unless you're already going to go into labor, an internal won't jump start things that aren't ready to start on their own.

kesrya

houndbaby:

If they strip your membranes while doing an internal that can help labor to start, but you have to be a few cm dilated already for them to be able to do that.

 This.  Simply pressing on  the belly while during the internal is not going to start labor.  However if they intentionally or accidentally strip the membrane that can start labor.  This is one of the risks of internals along with infection.

ildali

i guess like any other procedure there is a risk, but now i am leaning towards taking the risk closer to my due date

allobosc

My doctors office doesn't usually attempt them until 38 wks, and one doctor won't do one until 39 wks.  She said that she doesn't like to "disturb" anything.

That being said, with DS I had an internal at 37 wks (was already dialated 1cm) and another at 38.  They were done by my nurse practicioner and on my 2nd exam she said I'd deliver in a few days, she never stripped my membranes, but my water broke 30 hours later and I was a very happy camper

For me it was nice to know that I was progressing, it made me feel more prepared.

tfarabians

It can, I went to l&d and they did an internal and were going to send me home when my water broke right there!