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3rd Trimester
OB Doesn't Start "Checking" Until 38 to 39 Weeks?
I had an appointment today and I was asking my doctor what to expect at our upcoming appointments.
He said that he doesn't start checking for dilation and effacement until 38 or 39 weeks....
Anyone else's doctors doing this? 
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Re: OB Doesn't Start "Checking" Until 38 to 39 Weeks?
Mine checked at 35.5 weeks when she did the GBS test...after that it was optional untill this last apointment at 38 weeks.
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I think thats pretty typical. I just had an internal at my 37 week appointment, but my MW made it clear thats just to establish a "baseline". I was completely closed.
Well. I got *** to plan. LOL And I need to know how far dilated I am.
I work from home but I have to go in on the first of the month to get work done - stuff that I HAVE To have done around the first of the month and I have to be in the office for.
Being that I'm due on Feb. 3rd, I figured at 36 weeks and 37 weeks, I'd get an idea as to whether I had to reschedule and get my office visit in early, etc.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
I thought everybody started getting checked at 36....
Yup. I thought I'd have one last week but he just did my GBS test.
Had an appointment this morning... told me that I'm GBS+, but no internal until 38 weeks.
My concern is that I'll have my 37 week appt next Wed but then no appointment for 2 WEEKS due to his holiday vacation... meaning I won't get an internal until 39 weeks! UGH!!!
It's "nice to know" but not really that indicative of when you'll go into labor., as I've heard it DH's cousin was dilated 3 cm for at least 3 weeks before finally going into labor and I think knowing that drove her nuts and made her more anxious.
big brothers 12.2009 and 02.2012
I don't remember when my dr checked me first with Hannah, but I want to say it was only once at 39-40 weeks or so, I know it was only once in the office. I ended up being induced at 41.5 weeks with her.
Not sure if he will check at my appt on Friday. He's pretty non invasive all around and I like that.
'Til He returns, or calls me home,
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My doc waits until 38 weeks to check too. It's one less thing to stress about - and she times it with the GBS swab which occurs at the same time.
I am a runner, knitter, scientist, DE-IVF veteran, and stage III colon cancer survivor.
Ditto this.
I'd actually prefer not to be checked until way later.
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Honestly, in many cases, they really don't tell you much. You could go in at 36 weeks and be 2 centimeters and stay there until 41 weeks or you could be completely closed and go into labor a week later. In fact, in the UK, they routinely don't check until after your due date for this reason.
In terms of work, I would just plan on your normal schedule (going in early if you start feeling uncomfortable) and if you go into labor early, so be it.
You're not going to drop a baby out of you without other signs of labor, so in general, I just wouldn't think too much about it. Plus, keep in mind that average first time gestation is 41 weeks 2 days. You **might** go early, but there's a much better chance of you going beyond your due date.
Not sure what my OB's plans are. I didn't get checked at 36 weeks and am not sure if I will at today's visit. I'd rather like to wait if possible, actually.
Elizabeth 5yrs old Jane 3yrs old