Checking dilation- this may be a dumb question

mpiemont · January 2011

When everyone talks about the doctor doing an "internal" at their visits in the 37 week range, and when you are in the hospital and they're checking your dilation, do they have to use the speculum every time? I know this sounds dumb, I'm just picturing them in and out with a speculum every time they have to check your progress (especially when you're actually in labor). Or do they just feel? Obviously this is my first and I am clueless....and I hate the speculum.

SNL0605 · January 2011

no they dont ever use the speculum when checking you in the hospital OR in the office

Molluskwrangler · January 2011

No speculum just a whole lot of hand.

M&D06 · January 2011

My doctors just used their hand to check progress.

mpiemont · January 2011

Forearm...great. I might prefer the speculum! haha

sparklesbrooks · January 2011

Just good ole fashioned lube, glove and arm...

pomrom · January 2011

SNL0605:
no they dont ever use the speculum when checking you in the hospital OR in the office

not true that they DON'T EVER...

they do on occasion like when you are going in for preterm labor or something. if you arent' sure if your water broke and they don't want to put their fingers in, sometimes they will do a "dry exam" using the speculum without lube and just take a look in there. that is on occasion though, for different circumstances.

it mainly is two fingers.

drea_raye · January 2011

At least the hand is body temp! Although I was only checked after the speculum (for the swab test), it seemed to me that the hand was the lesser evil...

Lucky_Dragonfly · January 2011

bethy84:
no speculum, just a forearm.

LOL!!!

just fingers.

Lucky_Dragonfly · January 2011

bethy84:
no speculum, just a forearm.

LOL!!!

just fingers.

flowerchild77 · January 2011

When in labor, they actually insert thier left foot to check dilation. Its much more accurate this way.

ToBeWedJuly07 · January 2011

pomrom:
SNL0605:
no they dont ever use the speculum when checking you in the hospital OR in the office

not true that they DON'T EVER...

they do on occasion like when you are going in for preterm labor or something. if you arent' sure if your water broke and they don't want to put their fingers in, sometimes they will do a "dry exam" using the speculum without lube and just take a look in there. that is on occasion though, for different circumstances.

it mainly is two fingers.

That is very true... I went into hospital at 28 weeks due to bleeding and they used the Speculum, but now since 36 weeks they use their hand to feel the cervix. The hand is so much better although you still feel some pressure at times.