late pregnancy exams

Danac210 · October 2012

Has anyone seeing an OB skipped late appointments? I was 39 weeks this past Wednesday and skipped my appointment that day. The last time I went in the OB told me she was okay with letting me skip that exam, but the next time they would do one. I just agreed then canceled the appointment and said I would call to reschedule.

Should I just schedule another appt and let them do the exam? I had one at 37 weeks to check for GBS and was negative. I really don't see the need for any more exams.

What do you suggest I tell them?
Anyone have any good reasons why it isn't necessary?

When I told them the first time I didn't want any after the GBS I said "I feel it is painfull, unnecessary, and introduces bacteria." She was fine with that, but seemed to think I meant only skipping the next exam.

Are there any reasons to have the exams? Any specific reasons not to?
Thanks

AmyRI · October 2012

There's a big difference between skipping appointments and skipping internal exams.

Sure, skip internal exams. No harm done, and you already gave valid reasons for skipping. But you really should be seeing a doc to keep an eye on blood pressure and protein and/or sugar in your urine, as these can signal problems.

RockyMtnMama · October 2012

I think it's good to get protein/pee checks and to be measured and check the baby's reaction with the doppler, but I too have never had an internal exam before I was in actual labor.

Just let your OB/nurse know that you don't want one and then, don't take your pants off and they can't really do it, right?

sbevmc09 · October 2012

AmyRI:
There's a big difference between skipping appointments and skipping internal exams.

Sure, skip internal exams. No harm done, and you already gave valid reasons for skipping. But you really should be seeing a doc to keep an eye on blood pressure and protein and/or sugar in your urine, as these can signal problems.

Ditto.

It sounds like you're avoiding the appointments because you don't want internal exams done. You have every right to refuse those and there are very valid reasons to avoid them, which you've already mentioned. TBH if my provider wasn't okay with me skipping internal exams at prenatal appointments (assuming there was not valid reason for them wanting to check out what's going on) I would not feel comfortable with them being my provider for labor/delivery.

sschwege · October 2012

Reason you might consider an internal exam would be if you were considering an induction it would be an indicator of how favorable you were.

Specific reasons not to, would be they can be uncomfortable, there is a small risk of infection and the possibility that they could sweep your membranes without asking.

As far as what you should tell them, just keep saying what you have been saying. And as pp said don't take your pants off

But you should schedule another appointment, these appointments are important particularly at the end, that's why they have you start coming once a week!

nosoup4u · October 2012

There is no reason to have an internal exam if you don't want one and there is no legit medical reason for your OB to need one (checking your Bishop's score or something).

laurenluor · October 2012

I only wanted an internal exam before labor if induction was being discussed. My doctor said at 39 weeks I had to have one no matter what. That was the last straw with her. I asked her all these things before deciding to go with her, but now she was taking back everything she had said. I switched to a midwife immediately and never will go back to that practice. She broke my trust and wouldn't even consider my requests. I need to be treated individually, not based on a timetable every other woman is put on.

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