Cervical checks?

Stef33

My mom asked me last night when my doctor would start checking my cervix. At my last appointment a week and a half ago I was told that after my next 4 week appointment (in 2 weeks and I'll be 30 weeks) she would start checking me. When I told my mom this she thought it was really unusual, I guess she never went through it with any of her pregnancies. So I will start getting my cervix checked on at least a biweekly basis at 32 weeks. Is this normal and is anybody else's doctor doing this? I mean can somebody tell why it is really necessary that early? You can dilate up to a certain point, stay that way and not have it mean anything anyways, right?

speckledfrog

Mine checked at 28 weeks and then they will start checking again at 36, unless I start having issues that may mean I'm having problems with preterm labor.

Each practice is different and prenatal care has changed since your mom had babies!

kmchavez82

I got my first cervical check last week at 34 weeks. They will check weekly until I have the baby starting this week. Joy, I'm ready for LO.

hollyg1920

My OB does not do cervical checks.  They are meaningless...you could walk around for 3 weeks at 3cm or you could be 0 and go into labor that night. 

 

 

 

kristen+at+bcb

My OB checks weekly beginning at 36 weeks. I'm not really clear on why as it means absolutely nothing as to when you'll go into labor, but I still always want to know. 

 

ar52kortlang

my doc started doing mine on my weekly visits at 36 weeks. Some docs do not do them at all.

elizxu

My practice starts them between 32-34 weeks, but I've already declined them and won't be getting them.

baloneydisc

I never discussed this with my OB, but he will be checking my cervix on Tuesday (37w).  The reason for that check is we're probably inducing Tuesday/Wednesday. I'm not sure if/when he normally checks.

runrinserepeat

I haven't discussed this with my OB, but I'll be declining any cervical checks if they're offered. As PPs have said, it really means nothing, so I don't see the point in having them done.

GeekMom

My OB does them starting at 36 weeks, so my next appt.

Lisakate721

I am 39 1/2 weeks and just had my first check today - and that was optional.  I probably won't be checked again, but I was curious and since they asked I said sure.

bbpb112

I'll be 34w this week, and I haven't had a cervical check yet.

wolverine8

You should really ask your OB WHY she needs to start checking you that early. It is WAY too early and the more often you are checked the more exposure to bacteria in your cervix which can cause PTL and other infections. If you are having a normal, healthy pregnancy you can ask to NOT be checked until 38 weeks. I know some like to do it around 36 weeks when you get your GBS test which ONLY if you're comfortable with it then would it be okay. In fact, you can ask to not be checked at all until you're actually in labor.

(I work in a hospital and I'm training to be a doula...PM me if you have other questions)

kaay16

That seems really early to start checking.  The only time I got checked with my first was when I got to the hospital and was in labor.  I don't see the point it, it has no indication of when labor will start so why introduce any extra bacteria? I will be declining all checks with this one too, luckily my midwives agree with me and are more then okay with waiting to be checked. I'd ask your dr. what the reasoning is so early on (I'm kind of curious)

kittykat0401

My doc doesn't do them unless there is a problem, the patient goes into labor, or they are going to induce. I will have mine checked on 12/29, the day before my induction, just to see if we will be inducing or having a C-Section! If I'm not dilated at all then we will do a c-section on 12/30 instead of inducing.

KitKat83

hollyg1920:

My OB does not do cervical checks.  They are meaningless...you could walk around for 3 weeks at 3cm or you could be 0 and go into labor that night.  

 My clinic doesn't do them either until you're in labour or if you need to be induced.  If I happen to get a doctor who wants to, I will refuse.  I haven't dropped my pants yet for throughout this entire pregnancy, and don't plan to until labour starts.  (We do our own Group B Strep tests, and bacterial vaginosis tests, they just give you the swab and tube and you go into the bathroom and do it yourself).  

I don't know why they would start doing it before 36w anyway if there isn't a concern.  Just seems unnecessary. 

lissag24

My thinking is my doctor knows more about it then me and if she feels it time to check she'll check.  I don't really put much thought into it, she hasn't started checking yet and I'm not sure when she will.

Kristine Schilling

Its my experience and from many of the women on my month board that the internals didnt start until about 37 weeks. seems a bit early to me for you to be getting them at 32 weeks unless your high risk.

fyrefairie

mine wont start til 36 weeks...unless there is reason to beleive you might be dilated at 30 I can't imagine why it would be necessary so early and have never heard this from any of my PG pals

sadielove

Mine started at 36 weeks, but I declined them until 38 weeks.

novasouthanblond

I've had them since 29 weeks as I started having contractions at 29 weeks. Now I get one at LEAST once every other week. They're soooo much fun I have one tomorrow actually, as well a Pre-Term swab test (fetal fibernectine). Those are much much much worse than regular cervix checks.

SuperDuperGirl23

My OB offered to start at 34 weeks but i declined them until 38. I really don't see the point in knowing that early since my pregnancy hasn't been complicated.

fyrefairie

novasouthanblond:

I've had them since 29 weeks as I started having contractions at 29 weeks. Now I get one at LEAST once every other week. They're soooo much fun I have one tomorrow actually, as well a Pre-Term swab test (fetal fibernectine). Those are much much much worse than regular cervix checks.

this makes sense but if OP isn';t having signs of PTL idk whyher doc would start so early....

Jessimurph

hollyg1920:

My OB does not do cervical checks.  They are meaningless...you could walk around for 3 weeks at 3cm or you could be 0 and go into labor that night. 

 

 

 

This is why I plan on declining them until at least 40 weeks.

novasouthanblond

fyrefairie:

novasouthanblond:

I've had them since 29 weeks as I started having contractions at 29 weeks. Now I get one at LEAST once every other week. They're soooo much fun I have one tomorrow actually, as well a Pre-Term swab test (fetal fibernectine). Those are much much much worse than regular cervix checks.

this makes sense but if OP isn';t having signs of PTL idk whyher doc would start so early....

 I concur. If I wasn't on bed rest and "could" decline them. (*could* meaning not feel extraordinarily guilty if I did). I agree that they're unnecessary for the most part, especially for a "typical" pregnancy.