When do internal exams start in third trimester?

bangos13 · August 2012

I have an appointment next Wednesday and will be about 29/30 weeks. Just wondering if this is when the regular internal exams start, or if that's closer to the due date.

Anyone have experience with this?

welly01 · August 2012

My doctor starts them at 36 weeks, but I'll be declining them until at least 39 weeks.

Magnolia0808 · August 2012

I had my first at 36 weeks, and then my second at 39 weeks (which was one day away from 40 weeks).

CarynGunter · August 2012

I had one a week before my due date only becuase I was going to be induced and they wanted to see if i had dialated any yet on my own.

bangos13 · August 2012

Thanks for your responses ladies. Sounds like next week will be just my usual 5 minute appointment.

[Deleted User] · August 2012

welly01:
My doctor starts them at 36 weeks, but I'll be declining them until at least 39 weeks.

I have heard this before, about declining them. can you explain why you feel it is best to wait. TIA

alanap · August 2012

I will decline any internal exams at regularly scheduled appts. I will only allow an internal exam when I am already in active labor.

HAFranklin · August 2012

My OB does them at every appointment during the 3rd trimester. I will get the first one at my next appt when I am 28 weeks.

I don't understand why you would decline them. It is possible to be dilated and not experience contractions or obvious signs of labor. In the case that happens, you might need bedrest to avoid a preterm labor, or an emergency situation. It is just a quick check of the cervix...not a pap or something. It literally takes 10 seconds.

bangos13 · August 2012

HAFranklin:
My OB does them at every appointment during the 3rd trimester. I will get the first one at my next appt when I am 28 weeks.

This is interesting. Maybe I should call the office so I know what to expect. There's nothing worse than being caught off guard and told to strip down at the dr's.

benoitfan · August 2012

With DS#1, I am pretty sure I didn't have one til 39w, although I might have had one at 38w and/or when I got my GBS test, but I honestly don't remember. In my case it was a super quick peek and at my 40w appt, he "stretched" things a bit. I went into labour 3 days later.

welly01 · August 2012

Jessii266:
welly01:
My doctor starts them at 36 weeks, but I'll be declining them until at least 39 weeks.
I have heard this before, about declining them. can you explain why you feel it is best to wait. TIA

I haven't actually discussed this with my doctor, but everything I have read has not convinced me that they are necessary. First, I've heard several people complain about them being uncomfortable/painful. Second, they are checking for dilation and effacement - but you could be 2 cm dilated and not go into labor for weeks or be 0 cm and go into labor the next day. Also, although I'm sure rare, there is an increased risk of infection, accidentally breaking your water.

In general, I would just like to avoid any extra "traffic" down there until absolutely necessary and I don't feel these are necessary.

ZoeMay06 · August 2012

I'm generally pretty anti-intervention but I actually requested them starting at my 24-week appt because I've been having a ton of BH, some of them even painful. Sure enough, my cervix is already starting to soften. This happened with my last pregnancy too (fortunately went to term), so I just want to be safe.

ETA: Also, I'll add that it was much more important to me to decline them for the infection risk when I was in labor, not before. I only had 2 at the hospital - one when I arrived so they could see how far into labor I was, and another when I started feeling the urge to push so they could confirm that I was fully dilated and ready to go.

QuintonsMummah · August 2012

I didn't get an internal from a OB until I was in labor in L&D. I have a new Dr's office now, so I'm not sure if they will be doing them once I get further along

pishytish · August 2012

I will likely be declining often. I believe that they will check me at about 37 weeks (assuming I make it to then) and plan not to have them check again unless there is cause for concern. I am anti-poking and proding personally and I will be at the doctor's office 2x week starting at 32 weeks for HR concerns. They will be monitoring the baby with a monitor for 30 minutes and that will be enough for them to tell if there is reason for further concern. Just my personal opinion. To each their own.

welly01 · August 2012

pishytish:
I will likely be declining often. I believe that they will check me at about 37 weeks (assuming I make it to then) and plan not to have them check again unless there is cause for concern. I am anti-poking and proding personally and I will be at the doctor's office 2x week starting at 32 weeks for HR concerns. They will be monitoring the baby with a monitor for 30 minutes and that will be enough for them to tell if there is reason for further concern. Just my personal opinion. To each their own.

Just curious, why would you have one at 37 weeks? Is it to check for anything other than dilation, like pelvis shape/size?

cco42 · August 2012

I've had two babies with two different OB practices and they both started internal exams at 36 weeks. I'm seeing a new OB yet again and they also start at 35-36 weeks. I've always gone along and had them done, but am considering declining this time just because I was at 4 cm for 4 weeks and 5 cm for 1 week with my last baby. (yes, it is possible). So I'm thinking that, for me at least, the dilation/effacement alone is not a good indicator of when labor will begin.

mocknine · August 2012

My OB starts them at 37 weeks. I will actually have my first at 36 weeks this time because I'm taking a trip (have to fly) at 36 weeks and he wants to make sure I am not dilated yet and that my cervix is still high. Keep your fingers crossed for me, the trip is to see DH graduate from Air Force Officer Training!

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