Cervix check at 30 weeks?!!?

Colgate1 · May 2013

So last night I went to the hospital because I had suspicious bruising on my groin, and my leg was hurting. Wanted to rule out DVT or blood clots or anything. They tell me my leg looks fine but instead of letting me go, they randomly hooked me up to a fetal monitor and claimed I was having minor contractions even though I felt nothing at all, was in no pain, and have a totally normal pregnancy. The resident INSISTED on doing a cervix check (omg OUCH) and while she's doing it she goes "this wont cause preterm labor, even though many OBGYNs would tell you it does" - wtf??? Then she insisted on doing some kind of swab/culture or something and claimed she wanted to do a cervical length ultrasound. When I found out my cervix was totally closed, I literally got up and left and refused further tests. Has anyone else had something similar happen to them? Cervix check at 30 weeks sounds bizarre. And wouldnt minor contractions that I didn't feel at all be braxton hicks anyway? Isn't that normal? I almost felt like the resident was just trying to like get experience or something, or run unnecessary expensive tests for no reason. I am so aggravated and really hope this isn't an indication of the way the hospital generally operates.

vintageutopia · May 2013

My guess is that she performed the cervix check due to the fact that you were having contractions and wanted to be sure that your cervix was fully closed and not softening.

I do think she worded it poorly, though. She should have explained WHY she was doing it. Did you ask her?

MitsB707 · May 2013

My ob did a cervical check last week at just over 27 weeks, but it was because of strong, unexplained pain I was feeling low in my abdomen and swelling of one if my legs. That sounds strange to me. Hope everything else is ok

Colgate1 · May 2013

I asked her why and she said it was because the monitor was showing minor contractions. She also kept saying "and because you've had abdominal pain" even though I never said I had abdominal pain, and specifically told her I had NO pain or pressure whatsoever.

And then to order the cultures and swabs and stuff after seeing that my cervix was totally closed and everything was fine just really ticked me off and seemed like totally unnecessary testing.

Ugh, sorry for the rant was just so aggravated that I went in for a leg bruise and was kept for 4 hours with unnecessary testing, and only got to leave because I refused the additional tests and insisted on leaving.

WildRumpus · May 2013

They can't do anything you don't agree to; you had the right to ask her exactly WHY she was doing a cervical check, what exactly the swab was/was for and what the plan would have been if you had been dilating/cervix was softening. You've got to be your own advocate.

MommyKristin88 · May 2013

That's weird, but maybe she just wanted to be sure those contractions weren't causing dialation. I would have left, too, though.

SarahKate31 · May 2013

Given the contractions, I don't think a check was out of line. FWIW, when my water broke at 39w3d with my son, I felt nothing - no contractions whatsoever. But when they hooked me up to the monitor, there they were, 4 mins apart. Point is, it is possible to have weak contractions that you don't feel.

vintageutopia · May 2013

Did she say what she swabbed for? Sometimes, yeast/bacterial infections can cause contractions, so perhaps that is what she swabbed you for.

Either way, she did a very poor job of explaining your visit. I can see why you were upset.

WheeLinTheSky3 · May 2013

I had a check at 29 weeks (a few days ago) because I have been having back pain that feels identical to the back labor that I had when I was in labor with my son. I have also had a large amount of pelvic pressure that has been increasing. Because of this, my OB suggested a cervical check to make sure that my cervix was closed but it was still my choice. With any medical test/procedure, etc. always be your own advocate and speak up. The Dr should be able to explain what they want to do and why they want to do it. If they cant do that, wont do that, or you dont like the answer then leave.

BelhurstBride · May 2013

I have yet to hear of a third tri pregnant woman being hooked up to a monitor and the monitor NOT picking up contractions.

I would have been upset with the residents actions as well.

Colgate1 · May 2013

Okay, glad to hear I'm not totally nuts for leaving/being annoyed and weirded out. Just seemed so unnecessary, especially once the cervix check revealed that it was totally closed and everything was fine. You're totally right on being my own advocate. I guess I was a little gun-shy at first, not wanting to cause a stir (and DH, also a first-timer, was like "maybe we should go with the flow?") but I'm so glad I insisted on leaving. I guess it was a good lesson in "you can refuse anything you don't want" for this pregnancy, and gave me a bit of a start on learning how to deal with overly aggressive doctors for when the time comes...

Thank god I had no negative side effects from the cervix check. Still scary! And ouch that hurt so badly! I had no idea it hurt like that!

magdalina.h · May 2013

When I was having contractions at 29w with Lucas they did a cervix check to make sure I wasn't dilated. You know, to make sure I wasn't in labor and about to have another preemie. The swab was the ffn test to check to see if you'll go into labor in the next 2 weeks. Have you read any books about pregnancy? All of that was normal when you are in L&D before term.

She was looking out for you and baby, not trying to feel you up.

Colgate1 · May 2013

The swab/culture was for some hormone or chemical or something that could possibly indicate labor. But it was ridiculous bc she said a negative for it is reassuring that im not going into labor, but a positive for it doesn't mean anything, and could be caused by other things. so wtf was the point of doing it?!

I never even really thought about the fact that I had the right to refuse tests and things, but I guess now I know.

And yeah, that was my thought- since when do they hook up a fetal monitor at 30 weeks and not pick up some minor contractions? I thought that was totally normal. I think the resident was just over eager for experience and expensive tests.

mrsf123 · May 2013

My OB checked my cervix today at 29 weeks because I'm having a loooot of pressure in my vag. She's pretty gentle though and I'm very comfortable with her.

Remember, you're in charge of your own medical experience. If it made you feel uncomfortable, let this be a good lesson for when you're in labor. The doctor can't MAKE you do ANYTHING you don't want to. Be vocal, speak up, and make YOUR feelings known. You're the patient!

Soleil3 · May 2013

When I was pregnant with my first I had a couple times I needed to be hooked up in the later 3rd tri and I wasn't having contractions. I've never heard of them being the norm in the 3rd tri.

If you didn't want it you certainly could've said no, but in stuff like this I tend to go with the doctor, if you are having contractions this early the next step is to make sure you aren't effacing or dilating.

Colgate1 · May 2013

Thanks for the pep talk. I never thought about it that way but now I learned my lesson and know better for labor.

tarapike86 · May 2013

My ob does a cervical check at every appt after 24 weeks

MommyAmes2 · May 2013

I went into L&D because I had blood in my urine (turns out it was from a kidney stone). They checked my cervix, to be sure I wasn't dilating.

People say you can refuse cervical checks, which you can. In this case I would have went with what they were suggesting, and had it done. The fact that you were having contractions (which the minor ones early, you can't always feel), is cause enough to suck it up and let them do what they need to do.

I believe they were doing what was best for baby. Just next time speak up if you feel uncomfortable and ask for explanations for each procedure.

Missuskeekers · May 2013

I really don't see the big deal. I went in to LD with what turned out to be kidney stones but I had a few small contractions so they did a cervical check and did a fetal fibronectin swab as well as group b strep, and I am guessing one for infection.

It really didn't hurt, and was in my medical best interest.

ScarletOflaherty · May 2013

Don't you just hate when you go to the hospital with weird symptoms and they do testing to find out exactly what's wrong?? Omg, the nerve of them!

jkzinck · May 2013

I went in yesterday with braxton hicks contractions that I had been having on and off for the last few weeks. The intern checked my cervix to make sure it was closed which gave me a piece of mind. It sounds like yours needs to work on her bedside manner. I can understand the way she explained it to you why you would be upset

LnR70707 · May 2013

magdalina.h:
When I was having contractions at 29w with Lucas they did a cervix check to make sure I wasn't dilated. You know, to make sure I wasn't in labor and about to have another preemie. The swab was the ffn test to check to see if you'll go into labor in the next 2 weeks. Have you read any books about pregnancy? All of that was normal when you are in L&D before term.
She was looking out for you and baby, not trying to feel you up.

This. I wish they had done this when I was monitored for a high BP spike at 34weeks with DS. Dumb nurse said contractions registering at a 4 on a 1-12 scale that I could definitely feel were just practice contractions. I was admitted at 4cm dilated and 80 effaced 48 hrs later.

CaliforniaDream87 · May 2013

Jill9288:
They can't do anything you don't agree to; you had the right to ask her exactly WHY she was doing a cervical check, what exactly the swab was/was for and what the plan would have been if you had been dilating/cervix was softening. You've got to be your own advocate.

Um...this!

caramia582 · May 2013

I saw my OB last week for some sketchy PTL symptoms I was having. She did a fetal fibronectin test (which was a swab) and a cervix check. Seems like standard procedure.

Soleil3 · May 2013

ScarletOflaherty:
Don't you just hate when you go to the hospital with weird symptoms and they do testing to find out exactly what's wrong?? Omg, the nerve of them!

*snort*

lisamoe · May 2013

Maybe it was done due to your contractions?

I personally wouldn't read to much into it. Try and at least take comfort in knowing that you aren't dilated yet. That's a positive!

mlory13 · May 2013

I went in at 28 weeks 5 days for cramping in my abdomen and back. Turned out I was dehydrated (had been sick so that did not help) and it was causing braxton hicks. Well they did a cervical exam and did find I was dilated to almost a 2. While that freaked me out, they did end up releasing me when things calmed down and said I could stay this dilated until my due date. I haven't had contractions or anything since and have been drinking lots of water. My next appointment I will be 33 weeks and they may do another check then just to see where things are at. Sometimes its good to get checked so at least we know where thing are at...if I get to a 3 then they will have to do more to stop what is happening. I'm not too worried though as I have found its pretty normally to be at a 1-1.5 dilated earlier on....I wouldn't let it worry you, it did hurt when they checked me as they really stretch ya open with that awful tool (that probably sounds bad lol), but I haven't had any troubles since

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