when does your OB start checking for "progress"?

AimeeL85 · November 2010

I am only 30 weeks, but I was curious if they would start checking for any progress as early as my 32 week appointment. A friend of mine said she was dilated 3 cm at that point (her baby only came 10 days early, though). Is it normal for them to start checking so soon? Thanks

2006july15bride · November 2010

I know they want to have me go to the hospital for fetal monitoring weekly at 30 weeks, but that could be because of the twins. I feel like our OB leaves us in the dark. On another note I can't believe you are 30 weeks already!

Mrslove78 · November 2010

39 weeks. Internal checks are unnecessary, just painful, don't tell you anything.

pixieprincss · November 2010

My dr generally starts internals at 36w, but I am declining them until I am in active labor. For me, I'd rather just have baby come when he comes and not stress about progress (or lack thereof). Your friend is a great example of how the findings of internals are not predictive of the timing to come.

UrbanHippieMama · November 2010

Mine checks during labour when I ask. Last time it was about 12 hours into labour.

HisChamie88 · November 2010

Mine started checking me at my 36 week appointment

MichelleL1118 · November 2010

Mine will start checking at 35-36w. I would probably decline them, but I need to be induced early for medical concerns, and they need to be able to see when I start making progress & might be favorable for induction.

Jinsy80 · November 2010

36 weeks, but you can decline after that one. I am declining. Already had all those internals with DD1.

WannaBeCrunchyMama · November 2010

Mine won't check you unless you ask/are having complications.

He's pretty low-intervention and tries to let things go about normally. I REALLY want to know if I'm dilating at all because I've been having some painful BH. I'm going to try not to give in though because I know they don't mean anything.

hawaiibride04 · November 2010

My OB starts checking at 36 weeks only if there's a reason. He told me at my last appointment that unless something changes, he won't check me because I've had a "textbook" pregnancy.

NSL · November 2010

Forty weeks for an uncomplicated pregnancy, which is just fine with me.

~Flossie~ · November 2010

My doctor started doing internals last week at 38 weeks.

pawcall · November 2010

My doctor starts internals at 36 weeks, and does them weekly after that.

Some doctors start them earlier (clearly your friend's doc did) and some don't do them at all. So really, it all depends on your specific doc.

AimeeL85 · November 2010

Thanks ladies...after I posted that I was wondering why she was checked so early and then I remembered...she had her sister check her! Her sister is a RN.

And julybride - I can't believe it either, and you're right behind me!! Where has the time gone??

estellababy · November 2010

I was wondering this also. I go for weekly ultrasounds with a perinatologist and they check the cervix by ultrasound to make sure its closed (among a million other things!!). I assumed that the ob would check at my 36 week visit or sooner if the perinatologist says there are changes there. I don't look forward to this.

IncogNeato · November 2010

My doctor starts internals at 36 weeks but I know I am 50% effaced after a cervical u/s that went along with a growth u/s so I'm going to ask for an internal tomorrow at my appointment so I can get a feel for whether or not I should take it easy for a few weeks to make sure this kid keeps cooking!

I normally wouldn't put a lot of stock in an internal but they've been monitoring my cervix for shortening for a while so I'm a little concerned that it has gone from 2.9 cm to 2 cm between weeks 28-32 and if I am dilating as well then I might ask for a note to get off work for a week or two because I want to be sure I make it to 35/36 weeks at the minimum.

Mrs.Reyna2008 · November 2010

mands629:
Mine starts checking at 37 weeks, although they will do it earlier if you ask. But I wouldn't recommend it - it can increase your chance for infection and it doesn't tell you when you're actually going to go into labor.

This!

KeKy1130 · November 2010

Mine starts at 36 weeks.

dasaher · November 2010

I'm 38 weeks tomorrow (oh God!!!), and I will have an internal then. Doctor offered to do it at last week's appointment if I was super excited, but I said nope, I'm perfectly happy being in the dark about it!

KeyRyn320 · November 2010

I guess I'm the rare one. My OB will be starting me at 34 weeks but I don't know if it's because that's normal or because I have a fibroid that could block my vaginal cavity and force me to have a C-section.