If you declined internal exams ...

noycela · May 2012

The routine at my OB's office is to start internals at 36 weeks. I declined the internal at my 36 wk appt last week. I have my 37 wk appt tomorrow, and I'm on the fence again. I think I want to go at least one more week without being checked.

For those that are refusing / did refuse internals, at what point did you start having them? What was your reasoning?

lar1203 · May 2012

i declined until 38 weeks, when my mw prefers to start checking. it was fine with me at that point because i was curious.

UpstateMagnolia · May 2012

mdharrison:
My OB and I agreed that unless otherwise needed we are waiting til 39 weeks (this Friday) to start internals. This is when she generally offers a sweep depending on your dilation/effacement.

I refused them simply because I don't see them necessary. I see a lot of people get their hopes up about dilation/effacement. I hate internals anyways, so I wasn't about to ask to get them at all of my appointments

39 weeks is when my OB starts checking as well, although she would have at 38 weeks if I requested. I don't see them as necessary prior to that 39th week either.

tjkdlhb · May 2012

It hasn't been offered yet, nor have I asked!

bornmommy · May 2012

My midwife doesn't even do them until 39 weeks. If she wanted to do them earlier, I would decline because 1. (And most importantly...) They do not tell you anything and 2. The more things you shove up there, the more likelihood of introducing infection. (Yes, your membranes have not yet ruptured so the chance is tiny but a chance is a chance!)

erb82 · May 2012

I'll turn them down until I'm in triage at the hospital. I just don't see the point.

yvonka.row · May 2012

Our MW said let's see where you are when the due date comes. If I wanted one they would but I don't really care to know and would just like everything to happen naturally.

bellelamb · May 2012

My mw and I talked last time with the dr I was seeing I had them from 35 weeks on and they made me sore are were emotionally hard on me so we decided to wait until 39 weeks this time. Since they don't mean anything why put your self though them any earlier than that?

BelleIsa · May 2012

I didn't have them with my DD, and I my midwife won't do them unless I reach 42 weeks and we start talking about induction. There's no real need to do them otherwise.

vintagejjane · May 2012

I'm not doing internal exams at all. My midwife won't do one unless I ask for it.

kami1977 · May 2012

My doctor only does them on request. My first one with my last pregnancy was immediately after my water broke. This time around I won't get any unless we start talking an induction and then I'll request one so we can discuss my Bishop Score.

ETA- I don't get them because I don't want to be disappointed if I'm not making "progress" and since they really don't say much about when you'll go into labor, I'd rather not have anyone up there.

PurpleSnapDragons · May 2012

I have declined them all so far. My midwives don't find them very useful anyway. But next week when I'm 40 weeks I think I'm going to cave and get them only because I'm kind of interested in trying membrane stripping, which I've heard is much more effective if you are 2-3+ cm dilated.

Heather2256 · May 2012

At my 36w appointment last week my doc did the gbs swab test & asked if I wanted him to check. I said yes (was curious) & ended up not being dilated or anything. He didn't mention doing any more at later appointments. But if he brings it up then I don't think I will again until 40w, unless he finds it necessary for some reason. I didn't bleed or cramp afterwards but now I just have a whatever attitude about it.

TPOX · May 2012

with my first, I didn't have any until I was in labor. This time around they wanted to check me at 40 weeks (Today by their chart) due to 'big baby' concerns. I decline because unless there is a medical indication for it, I don't see hte point. I could be 0cm and go into labor that night, or 2 cm and go into labor a week later. I would just rather they stay out of there unless there is a special reason.

fyziksgirl · May 2012

I won't have any until I am in labor, and then only if I need them (not sure if I'm in active labor, not sure if things are stalling, etc.). They don't tell you anything. You can be at 0% 0cm and go into labor that night, or you can be at 70% 5 cm and walk around for weeks. All it does is give you expectations which are unlikely to be fulfilled, I can obsess about possible signs enough on my own! Add on to that that it introduces potential infection into the area and there is absolutely no reason for the risk in my mind.

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