Internal checkups

rcanales · December 2011

When did your Dr start checking you internally for dilation and effacement?

I went in for my 36th week last Wed and my 37th week check ups today - I wasn't checked internally at either. It's been so long I don't quite recall how those appointments went with DS1.

From what many have said on here, friends and in reading I'd thought I would've started getting checked last week.

So what about some of you? Did your Dr not check and if they did, when?

futuremrsbutterfly · December 2011

Perhaps your Dr doesn't plan on doing them? It's less common than it used to be. They don't offer as much insight as was once thought and can even be more of a risk for infection.

ar52kortlang · December 2011

My doc started the internals at 36weeks. So I had a 36,37 and tomorrow is 38 weeks internal.

rcanales · December 2011

futuremrsbutterfly:
Perhaps your Dr doesn't plan on doing them? It's less common than it used to be. They don't offer as much insight as was once thought and can even be more of a risk for infection.

Quite possibly. My Dr isn't always the clearest on why he does or doesn't do things. He's pretty old school as it is. I was just curious since so many people seem to et them done around this time. He checked once about 4 weeks ago, but that was because he wanted to make sure I wasn't going in to preterm labor.

NoodleM · December 2011

Seems like the majority of people on here start getting them at 38 weeks. I'm going to have my first today and a membrane sweep.

mexicolombiana · December 2011

w/my prior child I went to a regular OB who did them around 37 weeks I think and swept my membranes without asking or telling me. it was damn painful and unnecessary IMO.

This time I'm going w/midwives and thankfully no one will be sweeping my membranes and I won't have any internals til i'm in labor!

also, i'm not totally against internals for others if necessary but in many cases it's just not necessary.

rcanales · December 2011

mexicolombiana:
w/my prior child I went to a regular OB who did them around 37 weeks I think and swept my membranes without asking or telling me. it was damn painful and unnecessary IMO.
This time I'm going w/midwives and thankfully no one will be sweeping my membranes and I won't have any internals til i'm in labor!
also, i'm not totally against internals for others if necessary but in many cases it's just not necessary.

Yeah, if they aren't necessary that's totally fine. I was just under the impression that I was suppose to be having them. Since it's been six years between pregnancies, I don't really recall what he did last time. Lol, and I'm perfectly fine not having my membranes swept! Does NOT sound fun!

Linds1224 · December 2011

My OB doesn't start doing them until 38 weeks unless there's a reason to do them earlier.

NiniJ55 · December 2011

I recently had one... at 36 weeks. He was done there doing the Group B strep and decided to check me. I did not have them every week with my son. Actually I only remember getting one at 40weeks 1 day. I don't expect to get another one this time around until I'm overdue - or if I specifically request one.

Tash2315 · December 2011

I had my first one last week - at 38w6d. I asked my doctor the week before if she needed to check me, and she said "Nope! It doesn't necessarily predict anything anyway, but I can if you really want me to." I opted to wait 'til my appointment last week.

elektra1835 · December 2011

mexicolombiana:
This time I'm going w/midwives and thankfully no one will be sweeping my membranes and I won't have any internals til i'm in labor!
also, i'm not totally against internals for others if necessary but in many cases it's just not necessary.

I'm also w/ a midwife practice and they don't do internals unless you request it or you're in labor. I asked why and like a PP said, they told me it doesn't give insight at all into when you'll be going into labor. For example, you could be 4cm dilated, 50% effaced and still have your baby come late. Sounds good to me as I've heard they're quite uncomfortable.

rcanales · December 2011

What y'all said is probably exactly why he hasn't done it then. I was just confused sine the three other friends I know that jus had a baby got them starting at 36 weeks, and my app and book both said I should expect one during my visit. But believe me, if I don't have to have one done (since I know results can mean absolutely nothing) then I'd rather not. No sense in getting hopes up!

Lisakate721 · December 2011

I think varies greatly depending on your doctor. I had my 39 week checkup and still haven't had one done. I'm guessing they'll do one at my 40 week appointment but maybe not. I've assumed they're not doing them because it is not a real indicator of when you'll go into labor. My office seems to do only what they need to do - but in a good way.

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