Doctor "stretching" cervix

AggieAsh23 · September 2013

Hello ladies, FTM here. Today I am 37 weeks 4 days. I have had a cervix check every week since 36 weeks. Today my doctor mentioned she might stretch my cervix when she is checking me next time to help things progress. I have been very vocal about how I do not want to have a c section or be medically induced unless necessary for the health of myself/my baby.

Has anyone else had their cervix stretched by the doctor? I am asking because I have read up on child birth quite a bit and I had never heard of this. She explained the process to me, but I'm curious how common this is.

SuperSecretStatus · September 2013

With my first pregnancy I was overdue, and it was one of the things my OB said might help. And at the risk of being "that person" again, she instructed my husband on how to do it since his fingers would be more "effective" considering they were larger than hers.

Brookej610 · September 2013

Is this the same as a membrane sweep?

CMireles2 · September 2013

That sounds horrible!

finnybooboo · September 2013

Can you explain this process? I've never heard of this and it sounds terrifying and painful...

MegN423 · September 2013

Anytime you do cervical checks you run the risk of infection. You said you don't want to do unnecessary interventions...this is one of them, IMO. Let your body go into labor on it's own.

SuperSecretStatus · September 2013

dh13 said:

Y'all are a bunch of pansies.
:P

hamiltks10 · September 2013

Why are they rushing to get things going now? Let nature takes its course and let the baby come when he is ready. I would be very uncomfortable even talking about things like this until past 40 weeks.

bkeane619 · September 2013

Sounds like a sweep

CousinVicki · September 2013

uhhh you aren't even 40 weeks yet.

CamFam · September 2013

Already? I have not heard of this before, but honestly, that sounds like it could do more damage than good.

I was induced with my first at 41 weeks and 3 days. No one offered to stretch my cervix.

Suzi-G- · September 2013

Patience. I'd consider a membrane sweep or stretching IF I was past my due date and looking to avoid a medical induction (or in my VBAC case, a scheduled section). At 37 weeks I see NO need. I'd try a heckofalotta other things first though.

CousinVicki · September 2013

SuperSecretStatus said:

With my first pregnancy I was overdue, and it was one of the things my OB said might help. And at the risk of being "that person" again, she instructed my husband on how to do it since his fingers would be more "effective" considering they were larger than hers.

wtf

SuperSecretStatus · September 2013

CousinVicki said:

wtf

You should have seen that coming. I'd say that I'm pretty predictable at this point.

EmJ&B · September 2013

SuperSecretStatus · September 2013

crunchymama11 said:

SSS the masochist! Lol I kid. I don't think having your hubby stick his fingers up there is all that weird, but you had to know what responses you would get.

The responses I get normally just make me laugh. I would think the ladies would be used to it by now though.

shelliescove3 · September 2013

I had a sweep at 39 weeks with dd... Why are you getting cervical checks at 36 weeks?

sleepy33 · September 2013

huntjul · September 2013

Just say nooooo

yesthisiskim0401 · September 2013

Why is she trying to get you to progress at 38w? I'm side eyeing your "doctor".

bnikiz · September 2013

I would do it but bc of my personal situation. Ive been having contractions for weeks, have gd and my doc wont let me go past my due date. Im a vbac hopeful so i cant be induced with pitocin and my c sec with dd was miserable. I will be asking about a membrane sweep at 38weeks
Eta i have been having cervical checks since 34 weeks bc of my consistent contractions

smjmlove · September 2013

My dr stretched mine during labor when I would push with dd1 because I had a lip to my cervix that would not go away

SnoopyLuv · September 2013

bnikiz said:

I would do it but bc of my personal situation. Ive been having contractions for weeks, have gd and my doc wont let me go past my due date. Im a vbac hopeful so i cant be induced with pitocin and my c sec with dd was miserable. I will be asking about a membrane sweep at 38weeks Eta i have been having cervical checks since 34 weeks bc of my consistent contractions

I am in the same exact situation, constant contractions and a VBAC hopeful. My OB has told me they'll sweep my membranes starting at 38 weeks because they want me to have a better chance at a VBAC. I was able to schedule my RCS for 41w5d, but anything I can do to better my chances is great for me.

msronzio · September 2013

bkeane619 said:

Sounds like a sweep

Also sounds like some kind of hideous medieval torture, not coincidentally. Seriously, medical science, we can grow body parts in petri dishes, but we can't come up with something better than, "Lemme see, maybe if I stick my fingers in there and kinda jiggle them around a little"? What's next, slipping in a credit card?

This outburst brought to you by my currently tightly clenched thighs.

omg

)

AggieAsh23 · September 2013

shelliescove3 said:
I had a sweep at 39 weeks with dd... Why are you getting cervical checks at 36 weeks?

She started doing checks at 36 weeks because I have been having frequent painful contractions that come regularly sometimes and then other times not. Considering that just the checks are painful I'm not thinking I want any stretching!

To answer some other poster's questions, the only reason to speed me along would be my blood pressure maybe. It has been very inconsistent at visits with a couple of spikes and today was 120/90 but I brought it down a little after laying on my left side. No protein in my urine, no head aches, spotty vision, etc. I really feel like it's "white coat syndrome."

Thanks for all the replies!

Gatorsgirl731 · September 2013

They stretched my cervix open to do a biopsy, when I wasn't pregnant. It hurt like hell.

AggieAsh23 · September 2013

finnybooboo said:
Can you explain this process? I've never heard of this and it sounds terrifying and painful...

I'll tell you what she told me... Warning for those easily grossed out... Don't read!

Basically she will gently widen the opening of the cervix with her fingers by pushing on the edges and stretch it open that way. She won't however "sweep" the inside which is seperating the sack from the uterine wall. Sounds terrifying to me also!

AggieAsh23 · September 2013

Brandontricia said:

dh13 said:

How is this happening again?! NOOOOOO!

Sorry! (If only I could GIF... Perfect opportunity to use Gilly from SNL) You'll hear no more about the logistics of it from me!

Steferson · September 2013

Any kind of induction, natural or not, can lead to unnecessary interventions. You are still far too early for getting things to progress faster than they need to. Let your body do it's own thing! I'm with midwives and they don't do cervical checks at all!
If you body isn't ready to go into labour then trying to get things started now could result in a more rapid, and painful, labour - which can then have a snowball effect. I'm 37w 3d.

chelseyestelle · September 2013

Ouch ouch ouch.

ClaireOtoms · September 2013

yesthisiskim0401 said:

Why is she trying to get you to progress at 38w? I'm side eyeing your "doctor".

I am loling at your use of quotation marks here. "This supposed 'doctor,' as you call him, where did he get his medical degree? A CRACKER JACK BOX?"

ITA with what you say, BTW.

kdjudd · September 2013

The doctor stretched my cervix when I was in labor with my first. It was so painful. I wouldn't let your doctor do that unless you are already in labor.