Clicky Poll: Do you get cervical checks?

A37licia · June 2013

[Poll]

Jasmineeelizabeth · June 2013

There should be an option for they are not offered yet.

I don't get checks until 37 weeks, if I request them.

A37licia · June 2013

Jasmineeelizabeth:
There should be an option for they are not offered yet.
I don't get checks until 37 weeks, if I request them.

You can answer according to what you'll do at the end then.

TheFutureMrsMoreno · June 2013

Jasmineeelizabeth:

There should be an option for they are not offered yet.

I don't get checks until 37 weeks, if I request them.

I'm a FTM but my doctor's office will check me at my next appointment at 37 weeks, I believe.

tealeavesandpeonies · June 2013

Our doctor started them this week at 38 weeks.

cwhitloc · June 2013

My OB starts at 36 weeks. With my last, i don't remember them being painful. Plus, i was not dilated at all and no effacement at 36 weeks, so she just didn't do it again since I had a scheduled csection at 38 weeks and wasn't having any contractions.

Western Diva · June 2013

I'll get one this week if I don't go into labour. I'll be 40 weeks 3 days at my appt.

starrjelly · June 2013

I've had a couple, but definitely not every week. I kind of wing it.

ehnasto · June 2013

I get checked but I tell my Dr. to not give me updates unless something seems wrong. I don't want her to get my hopes up to have to sit and wait for 3ish more weeks.

tarapike86 · June 2013

My ob starts at 24 weeks. He says with his experience it helps to let tem know where you are at so he can recognize pre term labor as soon as it begins. My last doctor only did them at 38 weeks plus by request

kje120 · June 2013

I'll get them starting at 36 weeks.

PrimRoseMama · June 2013

No options for "not offered yet" and "only during active labor".

My office doesn't offer before you are in active labor lol.

tokenhoser · June 2013

I would if I was facing an induction. Otherwise, I wait for labour. Last time, I had one at 10 cm and that was it for my whole pregnancy. It was great.

provwife · June 2013

My mW only does them if we request and they don't start until 36 weeks.

Soleil3 · June 2013

I'll deny them until around 39 weeks and only then because we are looking into inducing.

manditxg · June 2013

I got them starting in the second trimester but that was because of a LEEP I had done a few years ago. he wants to catch if my cervix is shortening so he can intervene if necessary so we can keep LO in as long as possible. he doesn't for normal pregnancies.

vadamsv · June 2013

tarapike86:
My ob starts at 24 weeks. He says with his experience it helps to let tem know where you are at so he can recognize pre term labor as soon as it begins. My last doctor only did them at 38 weeks plus by request

Sounds sketchy to me

coraggiosa · June 2013

They haven't been offered yet, but I plan on declining them. You can be dilated and effaced to some extent for weeks before you actually go into active labor. I spoke about this with my doula, and she said she's seen women go into the OB one morning completely closed, firm, and seemingly nowhere near labor only to go into active labor later in the day.

skio · June 2013

I decline until 39w.

ssemovsk · June 2013

aylacbw:
I answered no, I decline, but my practice doesn't even offer them until 40 weeks. They don't really tell you anything about impending labor since you could walk around dilated and effaced for weeks, so my midwives prefer not to potentially introduce bacteria.

Same here. I got one at 36 weeks but only to make sure the baby was head down. Doc hasn't offered one since and i would deny one until after my due date. No need for false hope or dissapointment.

laceylavallee · June 2013

tarapike86:
My ob starts at 24 weeks. He says with his experience it helps to let tem know where you are at so he can recognize pre term labor as soon as it begins. My last doctor only did them at 38 weeks plus by request

That's crazy early! That does sound sketchy.

headgear03 · June 2013

My midwife won't do cervical checks till labor starts and even then she waits awhile. This is my fourth pregnancy and I have only had one cervical check that was towards the end of my first labor . Even if she offered them I would decline them. They are totally pointless unless you have a history of cervix issues. Plus each check you run the risk of introducing bacteria not something I want to deal with.

CupcakeGirl08 · June 2013

My doctor doesn't do them.

katharine25 · June 2013

I get cervical checks at every MFM appointment, which is every 2-4 weeks or so, and will be weekly after 36w. My regular OB never checks them. This is my first pregnancy being out of 1st trimester and I've never had cervical issues (in the past or future) so not sure why I get them since my issues are unrelated to my cervix, other than they are just being thorough.

andrea0418 · June 2013

aylacbw:
I answered no, I decline, but my practice doesn't even offer them until 40 weeks. They don't really tell you anything about impending labor since you could walk around dilated and effaced for weeks, so my midwives prefer not to potentially introduce bacteria.

Doesn't having sex have a higher potential for introducing bacteria than a sanitary glove?

cameronzmom · June 2013

My old doctor did them starting at 36 weeks. My new doctor,same practice, I imagine will do the same.

jennOK · June 2013

I'll have my first one on Thursday at 39 weeks 1 day. My practice doesn't do them before then.

amandarins · June 2013

tarapike86:
My ob starts at 24 weeks. He says with his experience it helps to let tem know where you are at so he can recognize pre term labor as soon as it begins. My last doctor only did them at 38 weeks plus by request

This is very strange....

tokenhoser · June 2013

andrea0418:
aylacbw:
I answered no, I decline, but my practice doesn't even offer them until 40 weeks. They don't really tell you anything about impending labor since you could walk around dilated and effaced for weeks, so my midwives prefer not to potentially introduce bacteria.
Doesn't having sex have a higher potential for introducing bacteria than a sanitary glove?

Well, the other half is that sex is fun and cervical exams are not. So why do them if they tell you nothing of value?

BellaOso · June 2013

I decline until 40 weeks and even then, I don't really care to have them done. They hurt, the information is totally arbitrary, etc. My office doesn't offer them unless requested or an issue presents itself - for example, a leak, bleeding, etc.

My OB said, "We aren't big 'checkers' unless there is a reason, Your body know what it is doing." They said this many times during my last pregnancy, labor and this pregnancy - annnndd that's why I go there!