38 wk appt today & going to say no to internal

chyscottbaby · May 2012

I have my 38 wk appt this afternoon and last week I had an internal and was 3 cm and 80% effaced. I did feel very crampy for the rest of the day after the internal and at this point even if I have progressed a bit more, I know I am not in labor yet so I am not sure there is any point in getting another internal right now. What do you guys think?

SometimesRunner · May 2012

I couldn't pass up the chance to know if I've progressed more, but if you're okay with that, then decline the internal. You have much more willpower than I do. Smile

FyreFlyeRush · May 2012

I think that's completely up to you. I'm mixed on the notion. But, I'll probably do it. I thought at the beginning it'd bug me, but now I don't care. Its nice to know those contractions are doing something. Even if it's slowly.

ksutt · May 2012

SometimesRunner:
I couldn't pass up the chance to know if I've progressed more, but if you're okay with that, then decline the internal. You have much more willpower than I do.

Im with you! I actually can't wait for my next internal to see if I have progressed more! Even if it can't tell me when labor is coming, I like knowing that I'm not a closed shell and that something is happening!

catycombs · May 2012

It would be hard to say no. My doc finally told me he was going to do an internal next week. With my DD he started doing them at 37. I wish he would have given me one yesterday! I'd love to know if I've progressed any at all. With my DD I was a fingertip until I was induced at 40 weeks.

LadyTyler · May 2012

Makes sense to me! My OB refuses to do them at all until 38 weeks and only then does them because the hospital likes to be able to know if there has been progress made when women come in still in early labor. I planned on saying no to them entirely and he was completely fine with that but I've been having prodromal labor since a day before 38 weeks and being checked is helpful to know if anything is happening. If it wasn't for that, I would be with you and just refuse them entirely

melrrr · May 2012

At this point I'm happy to do them regularly because they are helping me not stress about baby coming early. I have been 2 cm at each of my 3 checks. Next one is tomorrow and it will help me decide how active I want to be before my mom arrives on Wednesday (day before my due date!)

Heather2256 · May 2012

Last week @ 36w I wasn't dilated any. At this week's appointment I declined the check. And next week my regular OB isn't going to be there & the doc I'm seeing, well, I've been told he's rough when doing checks. So I'm definitely waiting!

DrakeShake · May 2012

I am having my 38 week appt today and have only had an internal twice. I hate them and hate how I feel after.....I always say no, had my first at 35 weeks while getting tested for GBS and then in the hospital while I had a false alarm.