When did your doctor start...

wendylaine

When did your doctor start doing internal exams to check your cervix and or vaginal ultrasounds to measure cervix length? I keep seeing that abdominal ultrasounds are not reliable to check cervical length. So I am concerned that my doctor has not ordered any vaginal ones. This may be just because it is measuring SO well on the regular ultrasound. (3.6 @ my 24w visit!) I have been having VERY frequent and somewhat intense Braxton Hicks, so I was relieved that it looks like those are still ineffective : )

jessican08

Are you seeing a MFM/Perinatologist or just an OB? My MFM has been measuring my cervix with the t/v u/s once a month since 12w. I had my last t/v cervical check at 32w.

I also had several manual checks from my OB since I've had constant contractions since 14w6d.

Mrs. Alice

I had my first one with my MFM at  my a/s (17w6d).  THen they checked it every 3-4 weeks since it was never an issue.  I would think with a twin pregnancy they should be checking this pretty regularly since it can change quickly.  Definitely ask your Doc.

ETA:  I never had a manual cervical check, just the u/s to measure length.  I don't think they do those until later pregnancy or if they think you are dialating.

wendylaine

I have seen an MFM once at this last ultrasound. But even then they just did a regular ultrasound not transvaginal.

Brummy14

Weekly internal cervical length checks started for me at 22 weeks - the same time I started having BH contractions every 6-7 minutes (which has continued 24-7 since). Otherwise, they wouldn't have done internal checks on me at all unless there was an issue (like these contractions).

tesselizabeth

I just had my first MFM appointment last week (18 weeks) and they did a transvaginal and external ultrasound.  My regular Dr. told me they would be doing that because internal checks are not as accurate as the ultrasound is.  My MFM informed me at that appointment that they wouldn't check my cervix past 28 weeks because changes naturally start to happen around then.

Rynleigh

My OB did manual exams at 9w & 12w. My Peri did TV exams at 15w & 19w. She will probably continue to do TV exams at each appointment (still once every 4w right now, then every 2w starting around December). 

MelleTX

I started vaginal ultrasounds to check cervical length with my MFM at 19 weeks and now get them every 4 weeks since everything looks good. My next appointment is at 31 weeks. Not sure what will happen after that. I think it depends on what my cervix looks like. 

I now see my OB every 2 weeks. She does a quick heartbeat check ultrasound. No internals are planned unless they think I am starting to dilate.   

amh04

My OB doesn't check my cervix, but my MFM does - we see our MFM every 2 weeks for a t/v u/s to check my cervix length.

jquirke9881

MFM started at 19 weeks and she checked every 3-4 weeks until 30 weeks. 

2moms2b

Starting at 16 weeks due to a ptl concern, my doctor started doing internal checks. He always checks it internally at every appointment now and if something feels off he will have me do an tv u/s to check.  They also check it through external u/s every time they measure or look at the boys. 

He said we will do t/v cervix checks starting this week with all my appointments until 28 weeks.  He told me after 28 weeks it's natural for the cervix to start changing in preparation for labor so it's not as accurate past that point.  He also said as soon as I start to dilate (thank goodness none so far) he will stop internals to avoid any infections and just do abdominal u/s.   He will only do internals after 28 weeks to check for dilation.

My MFM checks it t/v u/s every appointment.  Which has been two so far with the third this week.  However depending on this appointment my MFM says they probably won't see me again until 28 weeks unless there is a need for it. 

nuttycoconut

I've been going to my MFM every 2 weeks since week 8 and every week since week 20 and each visit I have a t/v ultrasound to check my cervix.

wendylaine

So with all these comments I am getting concerned that I have not had any trans vaginal ultrasounds since coming out of the first trimester. Also though I am reaching that point now where many of you say it is normal for it to change anyways. My next appointment is my 26 week and we weren't planning another ultrasound until 28 weeks. Would it be too late to bother asking for a trans vaginal one then? OR should I ask for one at this upcoming appointment? Doctor was happy with my measurement on the trans-abdominal but the more I am researching I can see that supposedly those show inaccurately on the thick side sometimes.

LadyNikon

my MFM started mine at 20 weeks.  

mamak0328

My MFM has not started t/v u/s and I saw him at 16w4d and 20w5d. I'm not sure when they start.  I plan on asking at my next appointment with him, I'll be 24w5d.  

Ruthie04

Transvaginal u/s with the MFM started at 16w and continued to 33w. The internals at the OB started at 34, but only because I was having regular contractions at my NSTs and the MFM requested that the OB start them early.