Internals for progress?

TMWarren85

Somewhat XP from 3rd Tri-

I had my 39 week appointment today and I was 2cm and 75% effaced and 'soft', my OB wants me to come back in two days because she says the checks can get things moving and she's on call Friday night so she wants to see if we can get LO to come. She didn't say anything about doing a membrane sweep, just a "check"- but I've never heard that an internal can cause progress (unless she's doing a membrane sweep without calling it that).

Just wondering if anyone has had experience with this- I was induced with DD so I just have this feeling that I'm going to have to be induced with this LO as well- we haven't really talked inductions at all because my OB says I'm making good progress and she has no reason to think I won't go into labor on my own, but she wouldn't let me go to 41 weeks. It feels like Thursday would be a last ditch effort before she would schedule an induction for next week.

URGH- I wish that when you POAS you got an exact delivery date Now that would be a test that would make millions!!

 

MrsWindyCity

I've definitely never heard of checks moving things along. Why would so many women who have frequent checks go over their due date, then? I started my checks with last pregnancy at 36w, and was 1 cm for 4.5 weeks before I went into labor (on my own). Pretty sure the checks did nada. That's why I'm not bothering with them till 39w this time around.

TMWarren85

MrsWindyCity:

I've definitely never heard of checks moving things along. Why would so many women who have frequent checks go over their due date, then? I started my checks with last pregnancy at 36w, and was 1 cm for 4.5 weeks before I went into labor (on my own). Pretty sure the checks did nada. That's why I'm not bothering with them till 39w this time around.

This is what I was thinking- and if it did work women would be at home trying to figure out how to give themselves internals... 

shandorfml2

good question...

I was wondering the same things. My ob did my first check last week, and said 1 cm then said 'let me see if I can stretch it' and I assume put her finger inside. Not sure if that is normal? I'd think if she was pushing her finger in that might move some membrains...who knows.

amykins1283

Lurker here...

I've been having preterm labor issues for 3 weeks and my OB told me that he would rather not check me because he doesn't want to "start anything up in there". I'm guessing that just irritating the cervix could cause contractions if your uterus is sensitive or irritable at all.

jmayamama

Any type of poking and proding can stir things up so to speak. That's why women who are experiencing preterm labor are advised to be on pelvic rest.... It's not likely that just an exam will bother things that much to send you into labor, but it can happen.

That being said, idk why shed have you come back just for a check and not to sweep your membranes. Seems a little silly...

lovinglifeasmommy

POAS stick for your due date....I like it but am thankful there is not one. I would be so broke LOL. I went into PTL at 27 weeks so I would have been taking them since then

CloudBee

amykins1283:

Lurker here... I've been having preterm labor issues for 3 weeks and my OB told me that he would rather not check me because he doesn't want to "start anything up in there". I'm guessing that just irritating the cervix could cause contractions if your uterus is sensitive or irritable at all.

I've been told the same thing.  I went into preterm labor at 27 wks, and again at 34.  Both times, after the initial check when I wad admitted to the hospital, they did not want to check me again for a week, because touching the cervix can induce contractions which can speed along labor.

cgator14

My OB refused to do an internal for me yesterday at 37 wks because she said it would "stir things up,' so that may answer your question!