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Austin Babies
Checking for dilation?
The nurse warned me that it would be uncomfortable and now I've decided that in OB talk uncomfortable = freaking painful... So, I have my first check with Dr. S tomorrow and I'm suddenly freaking out. Does it really hurt? I think I'm just freaking out about everything now... Our baby is due in 24 days - oh my gosh!
Edited to correct my poor spelling 
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Re: Checking for dilation?
For me, sometimes it was a little uncomfortable, and others it hurt a lot. But it is quick. And, if you want to, many docs will let you skip it. It doesn't tell you much anyway. I always wanted to know how I was progressing though, even after I'd had the painful ones. :-) Good luck tomorrow!
yea i didn't really feel anything either...
It didn't bother me until they were checking when I was in active labor, then it was freaking awful.
Like PP said, it doesn't tell you much so you can totally skip it if you want. Even if you are partially dilated you can stay that way for weeks.
This. I got checked at 36 weeks 6 days and was 2.5 cm, 70% effaced and figured it would be a few more weeks and my water broke 2 hours later. I would go ahead and pack bags if you do have progress already, even though it could be weeks.
The Blog
I'm in the camp of it was pretty uncomfortable/painful, but I have a very posterior cervix so it was a little harder to reach than the average cervix. It hurt less when I was closed (not dilated). Once I was a little dilated, the checks were more uncomfortable. They are pretty quick, and I liked knowing if anything was starting to change.
And I'd pack a bag just in case...at least with the very essentials like the camera, toiletries, and cell phone charger. I actually brought my camera, spare memory cards, and spare batteries to every doctor's appointment because photos were the one thing that I did not want to miss should I unexpectedly go into labor or be sent to the hospital.
Thanks for the input, ladies!
It wasn't too bad
certainly not comfortable, but not overly painful.
Dr. S said that I am already 1/2 cm dilated and 20% effaced with a soft cervix... the baby is also dropped to -2 (which he said is the lowest a 1st baby typically drops)
He said he would be very suprised if I made it to my due date and is anticipating she will be here sometime during the week after thanksgiving. We will see!