why do people refuse internals?

rosesandpeonies

I am curious.  I have seen on the boards that many don't like to have internals.  Is it a medical reason...or because they hurt? or is it because it is sort of not needed because you are going to go into labor when you do...regardless of how dilated or effaced you are?  I am curious that maybe I should know something that I don't about them.  TIA

alli&pat

My #1 reason is that they truly tell you nothing - I was 1cm for weeks with DS, then 2 cm for weeks - I still went a week over due.  I got excited and got my hopes up for nothing. I'd rather avoid that this time around.

#2 - increased risk of infection

#3 - sometimes they hurt

leneae10

They hurt and it can sometimes cause spotting or bleeding.  Thankfully, I have a permanently reinforced cervix so no internals for me!  Whoo-hoo!

Plus, it can potentially introduce bacteria which many women are justifiably leery about.

misskarii

they hurt me, so that's why i refuse. plus, i haven't made any kind of progress...so what's the point!

sarahdee678

I would have probably asked that question until today. My doc did an internal b/c I've been leaking clear, watery fluid and she wanted to make sure I hadn't sprung a leak. It was SO painful. She said she had to use specially sterilized  speculum (which now I realize from the PP that it's probably to reduce risk of infection) and they were really cold and larger than what they usually use. I had never had an exam that hurt that badly. I'll probably refuse internals from now on unless there's a problem or I start having contractions.

~adamwife~

I'm not doing them with this pregnancy.  I did them in the past and found them to not only be painful, but to be a really poor indicator of what is actually going on.  They either give me false hope that labor is imminent (but then I end up going for three more weeks) or tell me that I will be pregnant for a while longer (and then go into labor two days later).  Plus, the more I read about how they increase the chance of infection it just doesn't seem like a good idea. 

Temp110085250009077

My reasons are:

I don't need to know my progress (it will only cause me to overthink when everything should happen - I was told "any day now" for 2 weeks with DD)

I already have GBS and do not want any other increased risk of infection. I probably will refuse any checks until I'm in active labor.

thebigmare

For all the reasons the other posters have said!

My first internal will be when I arrive at L&D contracting every 2-3 minutes in very active labor! 

iris427

Why would I have someone stick their hand up my vagina without a good reason?  It's got to either feel good or be for a solid medical reason.  Routine internals meet neither of those criteria.

PAmiler82

My practice doesn't even do them until you go into labor or make it to your 40 week appointment - whichever comes first.  The docs don't do them for all the reasons above (basically means nothing, painful/uncomfortable, risk of infection).

So I don't have to refuse, but given the option I would.  Honest, if having someone stick there hand up there isn't absolutely necessary, I'm not interested.

RileyGrace

Anytime someone sticks there hand up there they can potentially introduce bacteria.  They don't give you any actual information, unless you are in active labor and trying to time an epi and when to push.  You can be slightly dilated for weeks before actual labor starts.  And they just don't feel good.

I don't see the point in the pain and possible bacteria when it doesn't really give me any useful information.

willowprincess

my issue is a little different. i was sexually abused and the two times i've had to have internals i had horrible flashback issues. it's gotten better, but they still stress me out so much.

Lilena

Wow you guys make me feel like a moron for getting one. >_< I was actually excited to see if I was dilated.. even though I found out I wasn't at all. I don't see myself getting another one til I deliver now, but I had no problem getting the one at my 38 wk appointment.

wall0307

Mine always hurt with DS #1.

stahlop

The thing is, is that telling you how dilated you are is really no indicator of how far along you really are.  You could be 5 cms dilated in labor and still have 4 more hours until you progress past that.  I am having a midwife and they won't do internals at all unless you really want them to.