Because I can (a poll)

ohashlet · July 2011

I have had patches of very consistent contractions that die off for a weekish or two. I've had pretty consistent but mild ones today that don't seem to want to form a pattern but have been going since I got up at 6. I've also had very mucusy discharge for several days but no bloody show.

In light of the fact that I have not had any internals at all and have no idea where I am progress-wise:

[Poll]

Melaneigh1 · July 2011

I can't believe you put less faith in Dr. BOTB than the average newbie. Even they know we can tell you everything that's going on with your body at all times. Now scooch on up to the computer screen.....

Stick out tongue

caffinated_tulip · July 2011

Might as well check that out. Though, wouldn't they do one any way?

ohashlet · July 2011

Nope, Caff. They will do them at mama's request after 37w but as a matter of policy won't do it until 41w. It's just not a good indication of how close labor is, and since they don't induce (at all, ever) it's not really helpful info. I'm more curious, which is why I'd want one.

hippotree · July 2011

I said no - having one won't make you go into labor any faster.

ohashlet · July 2011

hippotree:
I said no - having one won't make you go into labor any faster.

This is my husbands argument.

WaitingOnTwoPinkLines · July 2011

I voted no, although put me in that situation & I might answer differently.

I answered no because of the "dilation/effacement means nothing as to when you'll go into labor" rule. You might be closed up tight, or you might be 4cm dilated & 100% effaced & either way it might be a week before you go into labor, or it might be tomorrow night.

To me, it wouldn't be worth someone shoving their hand up my vag (though I realize they'll be all up in your business soon!).

ludicrous · July 2011

I voted special snowflake. IF your curiosity is killing you go for it only if you won't get dicouraged. Just remember, you could be completely closed and still end up having your baby within 24 hours. On the bright side, you don't need to worry about getting to the hospital on time.

caffinated_tulip · July 2011

If they don't tell you anything about how close labor is, why do they do them? (I'm not trying to be snarky, I'm honestly curious)

pinkflipflops44 · July 2011

I finally had to at 40 because I was curious.

ohashlet · July 2011

Caff, it's a good question. I know a lot of OBs and MWs will use them to see if your cervix is "favorable" for induction, but I've heard of so many being high and closed and being induced anyways. I believe, and could be wrong, that for 2nd and 3rd (etc) pregnancies it can be a better indication of how soon you'll be in labor.

My bff was 8 days overdue and they did one just to make sure that something was changing in there, which it was. She went into labor a day later and had her baby 10 days late.

fuzzylamb · July 2011

I wish I never had any because they were no indication of when I would go into labor and just made me nervous/anxious/sad that I wasn't progressing. Plus mine were super painful. Next time I will opt out!

caffinated_tulip · July 2011

I did not know that. They checked me when I went in last, but that was to make sure that my contractions weren't actually doing anything.

WaitingOnTwoPinkLines · July 2011

ohashlet:
Caff, it's a good question. I know a lot of OBs and MWs will use them to see if your cervix is "favorable" for induction, but I've heard of so many being high and closed and being induced anyways. I believe, and could be wrong, that for 2nd and 3rd (etc) pregnancies it can be a better indication of how soon you'll be in labor.
My bff was 8 days overdue and they did one just to make sure that something was changing in there, which it was. She went into labor a day later and had her baby 10 days late.

Do you read Baby Rabies? With her second, was at 4cm for more than a week, & at her last appointment, she was 7cm with no active labor! They ended up breaking her water to jumpstart things, & her daughter was born a few hours after that. Crazy.

If you can't stand the curiosity, have them check. But I think I'd be terribly discouraged if I wasn't dilated at least some, even though I know in my head it doesn't matter.

ohashlet · July 2011

I don't read baby rabies, but I remember Bev walking around for weeks at a 3 before being induced.

I know I'd be a little disappointed but I don't know if it'd be enough for me to not ask for one. At my last appointment we discussed it but ended up not doing one, which clearly was the right decision since I haven't had a baby yet.

ludicrous · July 2011

I once had a patient who had been walking around at 5. She came in for induction, got her epi and her body still wasn't ready. She had the epi pulled out, went home and came back a week later in labor.

FutureMrsOKD · July 2011

My situation was a bit different, but my water broke at about 5 am. When I got to the hospital at 730 I was a 1. They didn't check me again until 4 in the afternoon where the MW pronounced me a "loose 1." I sobbed I was so frustrated.

I don't think I would have reacted that way had I not thought I was "in labor" for the whole day.

All that being said, I think I would want to know at 40 weeks.

Kristinmo · July 2011

ludicrous:
I once had a patient who had been walking around at 5. She came in for induction, got her epi and her body still wasn't ready. She had the epi pulled out, went home and came back a week later in labor.

This was kind of me. I was 3 at 36 weeks and 4 from 37 weeks until I was induced at 41 weeks. My OB was surprised it didn't work. I was sent home after hours on pit and no change. I delivered by induction(again) at 42 weeks. I'm really glad I didn't get an epi the first time!

KKM · July 2011

I would because I am insanely impatient and would want to know. That being said, with B I dialated a cm a week up until 3 cm at 38 week and went into labor after having my membranes stripped at my 38 week appt. With Luke I didnt dilate past 1, but my water broke at 5am the morning after my 37 week appt. It could totally go either way, so if you are really ok with them telling you that nothin' is going on I would do it....but that is just me.

Emie28 · July 2011

I voted yes b/c I'm the curious sort. However, at my last ob appt. before I went into labor I wasn't dilated at all. My water broke 3 days later and when I went to the hospital I still was barely a centimeter.

Mrs_Liberto · July 2011

I haven't been in your shoes bit at this point, I would not request one. You aren't to the average delivery gestation yet, it won't give you any indication of labor, and can introduce bad bacteria / cause infection.

swimrbride · July 2011

I voted yes because I would just want to know. I was only 1cm at my last internal, but went from 50% effaced the week before to 80% which at least told me my body was doing something, which made me feel good about all the contractions I'd been having.

Beabs · July 2011

Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't. It kind of sucks to get an internal. I got my first one on my due date (my doctor considers them optional). I was a bit effaced, but not dilated at all, so we scheduled and induction for the next week. Becuase I wasn't dilated at all, I was sure I wouldn't have DS until the induction, but I had DS a few days later, before the induction.

weelass24 · July 2011

hippotree:
I said no - having one won't make you go into labor any faster.

This and what if you are sealed up tight? Believe me, you don't want that information at 40 weeks. Since you are planning a home birth anyway, it doesn't matter.

wils0482 · July 2011

I would, because I'm a curious type. They weren't that bad, IMO.

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