When do you start getting internals

SweetGirlC79 · December 2010

When do you start to get internal exams? I only ever got a pap at the beginning of my pregnancy and I hear so much about having to get internals when you are toward the end of your pregnancy. For those of you who has gotten them when did you start to get them and how bad is it? What's it feel like?

mags1984 · December 2010

I had my first one at my appointment this week, so 36 weeks. They aren't bad at least for me they are no big deal but it is different for everyone.

Mrs.Erin&Taz · December 2010

My doc starts them today at my 36 week appt. I'll also have my Strep B swab done at the same time. ..and then once every week from here till 40 weeks.

I dont remember super well how the internals felt with my first pregnancy w/ DS, but I dont remember them feeling really bad or terrible. I know at 38/39 weeks they did the membrane stripping, that wasnt super comfortable, but I dont remember it being horrid either! Good luck!!

locash · December 2010

I don't want to be the siggy police, but yours has a whole lot going on!

I'll have my first internal at 35 w 4 days. Every doctor is different, though.

JenGarden · December 2010

I had my first at 30w, but that was because I was having contractions and the dr wanted to make sure I wasn't progressing at that point. My first scheduled internal was at 36w. It's really not painful - not as uncomfortable as a pap. My internal this week was also the first one after which I've spotted.

sjcoregon6 · December 2010

What is membrane stripping? Why is it done?

AACraven85 · December 2010

My ob does one at every. single. visit.

Compared to a pap, it is an absolute walk in the park. Basically they lube up two fingers pretty generously and stick them up your hooha for a second. Although it's not really pleasant to have a stranger fingering you, it's never been painful and it's always very quick.

KingMama · December 2010

My Dr told me he starts them when I start my weekly visits at 36 weeks, unless something happens that makes it necessary before that.

teshy1 · December 2010

I had my first one on Monday, the start of my 36th week. It was uncomfortable, but I'm sure it's nothing compared to what labour will be like!

I also had my GBS done, so I'm assuming my OB will discuss the results with me at my next appt. next Monday.

KissyFishyLips · December 2010

37 weeks for me

Mjmksb04 · December 2010

AACraven85:

My ob does one at every. single. visit.

Compared to a pap, it is an absolute walk in the park. Basically they lube up two fingers pretty generously and stick them up your hooha for a second. Although it's not really pleasant to have a stranger fingering you, it's never been painful and it's always very quick.

Wow, why is he already doing them at 28 weeks? I think mine start at 36 weeks. I don't remember a lot from my last PG, but I don't remember them being a big deal.

t.bird · December 2010

my OB doesn't start them until you're overdue- so none yet.

with #1 i got one @ 40 weeks & it sucked. i wanted to cry- but i'm pretty sure my OB stuck his entire forearm up there.

flowerchild77 · December 2010

locash:

I don't want to be the siggy police, but yours has a whole lot going on!

I was thinking the same thing! LOL, I even scrolled back up to make sure I didnt skip over someones comment and just think I was looking at one siggy! xD

AACraven85 · December 2010

Mjmksb04:
AACraven85:

My ob does one at every. single. visit.

Compared to a pap, it is an absolute walk in the park. Basically they lube up two fingers pretty generously and stick them up your hooha for a second. Although it's not really pleasant to have a stranger fingering you, it's never been painful and it's always very quick.

Wow, why is he already doing them at 28 weeks? I think mine start at 36 weeks. I don't remember a lot from my last PG, but I don't remember them being a big deal.

pshh, 28? My practice started at the very first appointment. This is standard procedure for them for every appointment, for whatever reason.

branpas · December 2010

I had my group b strep done at 36 weeks, but no internal then. They started those at 38 weeks. I will not lie, the first one was pretty uncomfortable for me, but i didn't know what to expect. My 2nd one wasn't so bad though.

rider5344 · December 2010

What practice are you going to? I live in Mechanicsburg also. Anyway, my OB starts them at 38 weeks. They suck. Nothing like when I had internals before, much more painful than a pap. It has a lot to do with all the pressure and swelling going on down there.

MrsTank · December 2010

37 weeks was my first, and now I'll have one at each weekly visit.

It was very uncomfortable for me, but its over quick.

LadybugPicnic2011 · December 2010

Copied from elsewhere... not my own words, but Stipping Membranes is...

The bag of waters is inside the uterus, and the bag is composed of membranes. The membranes tend to cling to the wall of the uterus until after the baby is born and the placenta is expelled. As the cervix begins to soften and open (dilate) at the end of pregnancy, the part of the membranes that was over the cervical opening can be felt through the opening when a vaginal exam is done. "Stripping the membranes" is done by inserting a finger between the membranes and the wall of the uterus to loosen the membranes from the wall. Sometimes, this stimulation of the uterine wall can help to start labor. Sometimes, the loosening of the membranes allows more water to collect in front of the baby which puts more pressure on the cervix and perhaps labor is stimulated that way. The procedure can be a little uncomfortable for some women. If the woman is truly near delivery, she often gets a contraction as a result of the procedure.

Usually the practitioner tries not to break the bag of waters when the membranes are loosened. Breaking the bag of waters commits the woman to delivery, perhaps before the baby is ready to come. Although stripping membranes is not considered a form of induction, the hope is that it is a form of stimulation of labor. Done too early, it has no effect, but if the body is nearly ready anyway, it can give a little jump-start to the labor process.

pixieprincss · December 2010

My dr typically starts them at 36 weeks, but I am declining them--which he is fine with. Some drs don't do them until you are overdue, as they increase the chance of infection and the information provided typically does not project how or when things will progress. So, it really comes down to what you and your dr or mw think is best.

TripMomma · December 2010

My first will be on Friday, I will be 2 days shy of 36 weeks.

SweetGirlC79 · December 2010

wow it's so nice to meet another person who lives in Mechanicsburg too. I am going to Center for Woman's Health by the Holy Spirit Hospital. Where are you going?

rider5344 · December 2010

SweetGirlC79:
wow it's so nice to meet another person who lives in Mechanicsburg too. I am going to Center for Woman's Health by the Holy Spirit Hospital. Where are you going?

I'm going to partners in womens healthcare in camp hill. Across the way from Holy Spirit (sort of) but they deliver at Harrisburg Hospital.

Buckets of Moonbeams · December 2010

When I go into labor. My OB doesn't do them at appts. In fact, my OB has never once checked my cervix for dilation and I've been seeing him for all my pregnancies.

MaddysMama07 · December 2010

Most people start getting them around 36 weeks. I'm holding off on them this time until at least 39 weeks.

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