36 weeks and still haven't been checked...

SPIJaimie · February 2013

So I went in today at 1 for my 36 weeks visit. The last time I was in, he told me this time, we would check to see if I had dilated at all. After waiting an HOUR, I got called back but was not told to undress. He came in, listened to the heartbeat, asked if I had any questions, and was done. Seriously?! The past couple of weeks I have felt so tired and huge and I was looking at this appointment as an encouragement of LO nearly being here. Probably built it up a bit too much in my head looking back. Dr. said he might check me next week or two weeks. I'm a FTM but does 37 or 38 week seem a little late in the game for my first internal?

asibilrud · February 2013

I was checked today for the first time (I am actually 36+5 days) and she wasn't going to but I asked. I am on weekly appointments now so I am sure it is fine. Internals are not really necessary anyway just gives you an idea of where you are. I was surprised I didn't get an internal last week, but after today with my totally closed cervix, I see I was panicking...

JClou83 · February 2013

You should have asked. I am due to be checked at my appointment this week 35 weeks +3. I did notice that my last appointment they took me back more than an hour past my actual appointment time and the doctor rushed me out which is unusual for him. Your doctor may have been running behind and trying to save time by not checking you. Not saying this is the case or if it is that it is right but sometimes they skip things to catch up on a heavy patient load.

letzgoracing81 · February 2013

Based on what I have read the internal exams are good indicators...of well...nothing

BUT STILL I would have been bothered if I hadn't been checked at my last appt. (was 36 wks exactly)

If you are really bothered by it--Call your Dr and just talk it over with a nurse. I know I would be feeling the same way as you.

SarahRae85 · February 2013

I never had internals with my first (had her at 38w4d) and with my second my doctor said he wouldn't start internals until 38 weeks (went into labor at 36w4d, so never had one).

If you want one, ask. It's an extra step, but the most they can say is "no" and give you a reason as to why they would not want to. I was offered one last week, at 34 weeks, (I'd undressed planning on the GBS strep but the doctor and I decided to wait until this week so the results would be valid right up until my due date), but declined.

kimba1976 · February 2013

I'm over 37 weeks and haven't had an internal check either. I go to the doctor tomorrow and have no idea if he will do one or not, but he didn't indicate at my last appointment that he would do one and he normally tells me what to expect at the next appointment. I just assumed doctors don't do them unless there are some medical issues or until you have signs of labor. I had no idea some doctors did them routinely after a certain number of weeks. I'll add that to my list of questions for tomorrow!

smfdjo · February 2013

Almost 37 weeks and haven't been checked. Kind of glad because I know it doesn't really tell me much, my SIL was dialted at four for a month.

MrsWindyCity · February 2013

My OB's office starts offering them at 36w. I plan to decline them for at least a couple weeks this time around. FWIW if you are looking for "encouragement" results from an internal may not be the way to go - for example last time, I made zero progress between 36w and 40+w. I mean, it meant nothing because I went into labor less than 24 hours after my latest internal, but still - not something to give you hope.

BabyMayinMarch · February 2013

I had an internal at the hospital at 34 weeks and that was it. My OB doesn't start checks until 39 weeks.

magel050485 · February 2013

A lot of dr's don't do internals at all until labor. They aren't indicative of anything. You can be dilated and effaced for weeks with no labor (I was at 4 cm 70% at 35 weeks with my first, 5-1-1 contractions started at 36 weeks, by 37 weeks they were 3-1-1, he was born at 39 weeks). Conversly, you can go from not being dilated at all to having a baby in a matter of hours. If I had a vaginal delivery last time I would refuse checks this time. But since I am going for a VBAC dilation and effacement are determining factors in how well my body will react to a VBAC.

jannv11 · February 2013

I'm going to asked not to be checked till the very end. It really hurt and didn't mean anything when I was pregnant with DS so hoping to escape that this time around.

sdemilio1231 · February 2013

I was checked at my appointment today, but like PP said I think he just did it because he was already doing the Strep B test. My cervix was still closed.

Annelea · February 2013

My doctor told me he starts his checks at 38weeks. I'm rather curious to know if anything is going on down there!

PipSqueak0313 · February 2013

With my first, they were getting ready to send me home because my cervix was still closed and all that -- until the test results came back confirming that my water was leaking -- at 36 weeks. They induced labor and I went from 0 to delivery in about 4 hours (6 if you count from when they started the induction process)

About the only thing an internal check really tells the doctor is if the contractions you're having are affecting the cervix too early and therefore need intervention (i.e. bedrest). I've had 3 internal checks so far -- all related to having frequent contractions between 22 and 28 weeks before the doctor and I decided that 1/2 days at work and resting in the afternoons was the most appropriate treatment. I didn't need more aggressive treatment due to the contrax were not causing changes.

carig63 · February 2013

I never had any checks until I was at 39 1/2 weeks. Don't think that you're "almost there" yet--you'll make yourself crazy waiting the last few weeks.

looneyru · February 2013

My OB told me this morning I won't have another internal until I'm in labor. I think they don't do it unless they feel there is a need to.

SPIJaimie · February 2013

Thanks ladies, I feel much better knowing what is "standard"... Thank goodness for you guys!!

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