holy first internal exam, batman!

AmyFTM

My goodness that was uncomfortable almost painful even. And my OB is super petite with tiny hands too. I can't imagine if I had a male doctor. At least it was over quickly, just not sure if I can take repeated examinations from her. She was very sympathetic and did apologize for her "bony knuckles". I can only compare it to going to third base as a teenager and the boy didn't know what he was doing and just shoved his fingers up in there.....yowzers!

Anyways, wish I could say all that discomfort was worth it, but.... at 37+4 I am only a fingertip dilated (whatever that means) and at -2. I guess LO isn't ready to come out yet. Getting so impatient/anxious. 

meahganf

I've been wondering if internal exams are routine and what week they start doing them at? Did your OB do this as routine?

One reason it hurts now is because the tip of your cervix is actually pointed toward your spine, so her hand has to go in and around. Plus your cervix is thick and hard. When you go into labor your cervix will start pointing down toward your vaginal opening and will soften and thin out, so the exams shouldn't hurt as bad.

Thank God for childbirth classes, cause we learned this on Monday!!!

sadielove

You know these are not necessary, right?  I just told my doctor I didn't want them and it was no big deal.

J&JSuiter070205

Actually, it's less painful with doctors who have longer fingers because they have less far to reach.  (At my OB office they "rotate" doctors at the end of your pregnancy so you get to know them since any could be on-call the day you deliver, so I have been examined by both men and women). Personally, I found the only time it was truly uncomfortable/painful was when I was in labor--don't know why though.

MesmrEwe

I guess I found that the guys had a better grasp of what they were feeling for compared to when I've had women do the checks.  The thing is, they are what they are, sometimes it's how you're positioned laying down and your hips for how uncomfortable they are...  At least you're a fingertip and -2 at this point, with DD I was "tight and closed" clear to the day of my induction...

elizxu

sadielove:

You know these are not necessary, right?  I just told my doctor I didn't want them and it was no big deal.

This...don't plan on getting them.

AmyFTM

sadielove:

You know these are not necessary, right?  I just told my doctor I didn't want them and it was no big deal.

 

As a FTM, I didn't know I had that option. My OB just says she routinely begins checking for progress starting at 37 weeks. She didn't indicate that I had the choice to opt out and I didn't know to ask. 

AmyFTM

MesmrEwe:

I guess I found that the guys had a better grasp of what they were feeling for compared to when I've had women do the checks.  The thing is, they are what they are, sometimes it's how you're positioned laying down and your hips for how uncomfortable they are...  At least you're a fingertip and -2 at this point, with DD I was "tight and closed" clear to the day of my induction...

 

You'd think as a female they would know how it feels and to be more gentle. But like I said she was very apologetic and made sure it was over quickly. 

LBRENNEC

After the first one hurt last week, I opted out this week and we were both fine with it.  

 

Lisa

Ivana_Stolichnaya

Yeah it's not fun when you're pregnant, the speculum hurts a lot more.

VABride2008

The more you relax, the easier the internals are.  I know it's hard, but try to relax your knees and pelvic floor muscles.  Much more bearable! 

VABride2008

MesmrEwe:

I guess I found that the guys had a better grasp of what they were feeling for compared to when I've had women do the checks.  The thing is, they are what they are, sometimes it's how you're positioned laying down and your hips for how uncomfortable they are...  At least you're a fingertip and -2 at this point, with DD I was "tight and closed" clear to the day of my induction...

It must vary by doctor.  I saw a male doctor once with my last pregnancy for an internal and I don't know if it was tense because I don't normally see male doctors or what, but it did hurt more than the female doctors I've seen.

EllasMommy2010

My dr is female and very thin and petite.  My internals never hurt when I was pregnant with DD.  I think it just varies with every patient AND every dr.

9302006

I remember having those exams with my first baby. They definitely don't feel good.

LaiHurt2012

my first one, was painful.. apparently the midwife, did not have petite fingers... the second.. painful in another way... much more petite fingers but i swear it was like she was trying to get my cervix open by stabbing it with her fingers. not to mention I had only known the second woman for 5 seconds.... 37 weeks and absolutely no dilation... who's ready for the next one, when it'll probably be a different woman!! >: