Do internal exams get less painful?

RachDaRach

I had my 2nd internal exam today.  The first one (last week) was uncomfortable, but I think my mind was more preoccupied so I kind of blocked it out, but today's exam hurt and I feel like it lasted longer than the 1st!  My doctor said the baby's low so it was "hard to get around her" to feel and my cervix is "still very posterior."  Once my cervix starts moving more into place, should the internal exam get less painful / will it get easier for my doctor to check?  *fingers crossed*  TIA!

runrinserepeat

The first two I had were not painful at all. The one I had on Wednesday, however, was extremely uncomfortable, and it seemed to last longer than the first two. So.... in my (limited) experience they only get more painful, not less.

December192009

my doc and dh admitted to me that they thought I was going to be a baby in the delivery room b/c the internals with my first son were so painful - I teared up and whimpered through each one! I can say that they def. get less painful/easier with successive children - and they are not indicative of how you'll handle labor pain - both dh and doc were amazed at how much I stepped up to the plate in the delivery room!

kristin172429

It could be different for you and I hope it is, but I also had the posterior cervix and every check in the hospital when I was in labor hurt like hell.  I didn't do any pain meds so if you get the epi, they probably won't be as bad.  

Jillibean85

I also think it depends on the doctor... I had my internal yesterday - expecting it to be just uncomfortable, and i was even relaxed - and it felt like he literally rammed his fingers up (while pushing down on belly). I bled a bit after and still today, which i know is normal, but i was surprised that it actually HURT! Uggh, i hate those things. 

sparks2987

My first one hurt like hell! It was a doctor who I am not familiar with beause mine was out and he was not gentle at all plus he had HUGE hands. I bled for the rest of the day and contracted alot afterwards.

The last 2 I had werent bad at all, uncomfortable as a pap, but not painful. My doctor is more compasionate and gentle. She doesnt take very long. I try hard to relax so it is easier for her and less painful for me. Try focusing on relaxing your mouth, you cant tense up if your jaws/mouth are  relaxed, learned that from my birthing class. it really helps.

megahof

My first two internal exams were uncomfortable, but not painful. The second one was done by a midwife (I rotate between 4 of them) who has rather large man-hands, so it was more uncomfortable than the first. But today, wow -- I swear, that midwife was trying to get so far up in there that she could push the baby up out the other direction! It's the first time I've spotted after an internal exam, and I've been cramping and contracting like crazy. So, I think it all has to do with the person administering the exam.

Wiscisbliss

I only had internals when we were at the hospital and they were uncomfortable/painful then.