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Safest way to check cervix for preterm labor?

vermont7vermont7 member
in 3rd Trimester

I'm feeling crampy and my midwives want to check to see if I'm dilating and do the FFN test because I started dilating at 33 weeks with my first pregnancy (daughter was born at 38 weeks 1 day). Is it safer (won't cause dilation/cervical changes) to check cervix manually with fingers or with an ultrasound (vaginal or abdominal)?  

 

Also posted in April 2012 Moms 

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Re: Safest way to check cervix for preterm labor?

  • silvercamaro77silvercamaro77 member
    I don't know which is safer. I do know that at 34 weeks they checked me both ways but were very gently with the manual check. I didn't have any cramping etc as a result. 

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  • salt78salt78 member
    I would think your midwife would know the answer to this.
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  • kris_kelseykris_kelsey member
    with the ultrasound they can't see if you are dilated, they can only estimate cervical length(effacement).  A digital exam (with fingers) will tell them more.  Like~ how soft or firm your cervix is, what position it is in, what station the baby is in, the effacement, plus what it is dilated to.  Both are ok options it just depends what type of info they are looking for.
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  • LilyPotter218LilyPotter218 member

    I have had so many cervical checks it is pretty insane. I started having lots of contractions really early, landed in L&D a few times. I have had internals quite often and none of them have caused a spot of blood, made me cramp, or caused any progression.

    I trust my OB to decide when and what is necessary. I would trust your midwife on this one. 

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  • easjer05easjer05 member
    I have a cerclage and nothing allowed in the vagina, to prevent infection.  But the peri still checks both w/ u/s (for length) and manually (for presentation/effacement/dilation).  I'm going to assume the peri knows what he is doing, so I don't see the issue with a manual exam.  They'll have to go in anyway for the FFN swab, so if you are really uncomfortable, you could request a visual exam, but it will be less accurate than a manual exam.

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