I'm surprised about all the early internals

isabella22 · March 2010

I'm surprised how many people have internals before they are fully term? My dr doesn't didn't do them until 38 weeks to prevent the chance of causing early labor.

For those of you that have them early, was there a reason (were they worried about something), did you request them?

When did everyone start their internal? Was it your request?

chelsearosehicks · March 2010

My doctor's office always starts internals at 36 weeks.

kate930 · March 2010

My doctor wants to start them at 36 weeks. I specifically asked that we not do them, and she has approved. I have no idea why she wants to do them so early as I have had absolutely no problems.

Qmommy · March 2010

My doctors office said that they'll start at my 28 week appointment if I have any complications. BUT I have had no complications so far so unless I'm having any bleeding, leakage, or contractions (other than BH) I wont get an internal until 36 weeks.

babyrichsmama · March 2010

Mine started at 36 weeks and I definitely didn't ask for it! haha But, I already had my pants off for the GBS so she went ahead and did it then.

kelcat · March 2010

My dr starts them at 36 weeks. I actually just had one and I was 1cm and 80% effaced. Favorable for induction which I will be having.

Becky19 · March 2010

Mine doesn't start them until 39 weeks because they can cause early labor, introduce infection into the area, cause discomfort and they don't really mean anything.

They said they would start them earlier if I was curious but I have resisted.

mrsjenni · March 2010

36 weeks is pretty typical.

Lisa_Ont · March 2010

My OB doesn't do them until 38 weeks. . . he said it doesn't really mean anything before then and they can be uncomfortable, so why do them.

NFL_Wife · March 2010

I don't get this either. Unless there is a medical necessity, I don't understand why doctors are doing them. They can increase the chance of infection and don't tell you anything about when labor might start, so pretty useless.

My MW doesn't do them unless we go past our EDD... I may be getting one at 37 weeks, only because I am a VBAC hopeful, and she said it will be helpful to know if anything is going on- but usually, she doesn't do them.

tre777 · March 2010

I think my office starts them at 36/37 weeks. They did not cause me to go into labor @ ALL last time. I actually went 8 days late w/ DS.

KristinKD · March 2010

I think 36 weeks is fairly standard. That's when my doctor starts them.

AllieJean · March 2010

I had one around 22 weeks because I switched to a midwife and at that point my cervex was on the softer side of normal. So because of that she checks me from time to time just to make sure things are still all closed up

lite-bright · March 2010

My OB didn't do one until 38 weeks, and that was only because I requested it.

This is my second, she's breech, and we've got a version or c/s scheduled this week and DH was considering a day trip to go skiing. Given all those things, I wanted to know where things stood as far as if I was still closed up or walking around several cm dialated and didn't know it.

velvetflip · March 2010

I have had internals at every visit during this pregnancy and during the last one too. I was not aware that it was done any other way.

*LrCg* · March 2010

I'm most surprised that people even do them and/or that their doctors do them. There is no point to them at all. It tells you nothing at all but it can lead to the risk of infection.

dcunningham2 · March 2010

Becky19:

Mine doesn't start them until 39 weeks because they can cause early labor, introduce infection into the area, cause discomfort and they don't really mean anything.

They said they would start them earlier if I was curious but I have resisted.

This is why I think I'm going to ask my midwife to hold off on internals.

Calibride31304 · March 2010

My OB just starts them at 36 weeks. I had one at 36, one at 37, and I get another this afternoon.

srh08.05.06 · March 2010

I had one at my big ultrasound at 20 weeks to check the length of my cervix. I'm not sure if it's because I'm having twins or if that's standard. They found I had a short cervix (2.4cm) at that time so I'd been getting internal checks every 2 weeks to monitor my cervix. I'm now shortened to about 1.5cm and dilated 3cm after going into PTL 2 weeks ago.

2bMrsAnderson · March 2010

I had one at 36 wks b/c of contractions at 30 min intervals for 2 days. But no progress at all. Contractions stopped the next day.

I will start having regular internals at 38 wks appt.

Ashleve · March 2010

chelsearosehicks:
My doctor's office always starts internals at 36 weeks.

this.

VTFutureMrs · March 2010

My doctor's office doesn't do them since there really is no reason to.

WildcatPrincess · March 2010

My office does the first on your due date.

lindsleek · March 2010

my dr starts them at 36 weeks, i assume because he is down there anyway doing the strep b test, but not sure why since this is my first pregnancy. it was kind of nice to know my progress thus far though, so i am glad i had it done.

stacynikki · March 2010

Mine does them at your 37. She did it at my 35 only because I had DS early.

Bride2b2004 · March 2010

chelsearosehicks:
My doctor's office always starts internals at 36 weeks.

NewlyPrego · March 2010

My dr. starts at 36 weeks normally. I will be checked at my 34 week appt because I had DS at 36 weeks.

DASHSKIDADDLE · March 2010

Normal procedure to start at 35w at my Dr.'s office.

gypsywitch · March 2010

With DD#1 I was seen on base (military hospital) and my doc there started them at 36wks routinely.

With this baby I'm seen by a civilian and I don't think he routinely starts them until 37-38wks, but I have been having such regular painful contractions he checked me at 36wks, I was 2cm, 80%, 0 station...I have my 37wk appt tmrw and expect to be checked again.

MWoodside · March 2010

My Dr ofc starts them at 36 wks, but I think I'll decline. For sure the 36, 37 wks ones, but I may decline them all together. I feel like they might just depress me if I've made no progress & I want to avoid anythiing unnecessary that can increase risk of infection.