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February 2011 Moms
AACraven85
member
3rd tri post got me thinking
AACraven85
member
I go to a weird practice where internal exams are done at every single appointment.. I'm talking first appointment to delivery. This is my first LO so I didn't know that wasn't the norm until I started reading a bit more on here.
Anywho, all I read on TB about them is how awful they are and how so many people refuse them. I guess I am just lucky because I've never had one that hurt, I've never bled afterward, had cramping, etc. It's not even really uncomfortable, and lasts about 2 seconds.
I understand that most of the time it doesn't tell you a whole lot, but I guess I just kind of like to know what's going on down there just for peace of mind (even though it can change in an instant).
I also understand that people are concerned about bacteria being introduced to the vag- but as I posted on 3rd tri- I kinda think there is probably more funky stuff on DH when we have sex than on a sterile doctors glove, as gross as that might sound. And I sure do get penetrated by DH a heckuva lot more than I do by the OB.
I guess I just don't understand all the controversy?
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Re: 3rd tri post got me thinking
I think it's just a matter of choice.
I've already discussed with my midwife that I don't want to be checked until 40wks. She was fine with that. I just don't think it's necessary. And yes, I'll probably be driving myself crazy wondering if I've started progressing, but that's my choice, as weird as it may seem to others.
If you don't have a problem with the internals, than by all means go for it!! Maybe you and DH can start placing bets
Why not make it fun for the last couple of weeks!
Absolutely an honest answer and something everyone gets to decide for themselves. I would much rather read people saying meh it's not for me, or I don't like strangers fiddling with my hooha, instead of OMGZ it hurts SO BAD or the bacteria is going to kill my baby!
With my first(second really) pregnancy at a different hospital, I got internals at nearly every appt. The doctor always had an assistant in there, and DH was always there too (only for the first baby) and it made me feel better. I miscarried my first baby really badly and it made me feel super safe that I wasn't dilating. It may not be the norm, but it made me feel better! The doctor I had with my m/c was the same as with my son, and he knew how scared I was through pretty much the entire pregnancy of a loss. He might have been doing it to make himself and me feel better.
He also had me peeing at every appt. to test my urine for possible infections or proteins, though... I think he was a great, thorough doctor and I felt he was doing his best to make me feel we were protecting the pregnancy the best we could.
My urine is tested at every appointment as well. Is this something else that isn't the norm at most places??
I honestly think that if the bacteria was such an issue that the doctors wouldn't do it as much. So I've never understood the concern with that. I have read about it, it just doesn't seem like a good reason not to have the internals. And yes, I don't really like strangers fiddling with my hooha! I hate the annual exam as much as it is, I don't need to have one every 2 weeks. Ahh!
They never check my urine at my appts which makes me a little nervous since I had severe pre-e with ds.
I think this is NOT the norm and frustrates me.
internals, yeah I dont get the big freak out over them either.
Mine hurt but I was also 30 weeks. I think they get less painful when you are closer to your due date and your cervix isn't so posterior.
I think that if it were possible, water boarding should be replaced by paps. They are awful. I do find these uncomfortable and sometimes painful during. I just find these completely different from a quick internal exam with lubed up fingers.
That is the norm for me. My urine isn't checked unless I have symptoms that send me to lab and that has happened only once beyond having the 1st set of testing.
I also have yet to have an internal exam but I think I should probably start requesting them as many BH and weird contractions I have. I meant to request one at my last appt but I spaced on it.
My plan is to not so much refuse internals as politely requesting to skip them unless my midwife has something in particular that she's looking for or has a reason to do one. The risk of infection is there, but I don't think it's as much of a problem as it's sometimes made out to sound. The reason I want to skip them is because of my Type A/OCD/Anxiety Prone personality and I know I'll just obsess over the numbers when they don't mean anything. So, if my midwife is just checking to tell me the numbers then I plan to skip them or at least ask that she not share the numbers with me. If she has a reason she wants to check then I'm all for it though!
It's just that I see post after post after post on 3rd Tri that basically say, "I'm so frustrated... I don't understand... I've been 2 cm dialated for weeks and not in labor... is this normal??" We all say that we know that the numbers don't mean anything, but it's hard not to let it give you false hope or become frustrating. Bottom line, I don't think it does any harm (unless you have an underhanded OB who would strip your membrains or break your water without your permission and in that case you have a MUCH bigger problem then "unnecessary internals"). So I don't judge any woman who wants to have them done. I think the biggest draw back is just unnecessary frustration.
Come on Sticky baby!!
EDD 6/30/2016
EDD: 2/26/11 BORN: 2/15/2011
EDD: 2/23/2014 M/C 6/18/2013
EDD 6/25/2014 M/C 11/8/2013
M/C 4/20/2014
M/C 6/22/2014
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I don't care to know the numbers since it really doesn't mean labor will be coming any faster, but I'm otherwise not bothered by the idea of the exams.
I give a urine sample at every appointment. I was pretty sure that was common.
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