Is it only my OB?

Mamaengen · November 2013

Hey ladies. I was just curious about something but never thought to ask if y'all have the same thing going on. My OB is a different one from my first baby (thank God!). My first one did a vaginal check at every visit. This one hasn't done one since my second appointment and I think the second one was only bc I had a concern. Is that normal? He always checks the Doppler and tells me what the various sounds are (i.e. bowels, kicks, rolling, etc.), and I trust his tons of expertise, but I'm just curious if others' OBs (or even midwives) are the same way.

Jessimax · November 2013

Did not have a single vaginal check with my last pregnancy (until i was in labour of course) and so far none this time

BiggerinRealLife · November 2013

Just the initial vaginal check, then it's been Doppler city for me.

Mamaengen · November 2013

Thanks for the prompt replies, y'all. Makes me feel much better.

Eija3014 · November 2013

I was wondering this too! Thanks for asking

natpirt · November 2013

My doctor only checks if I say something funny going on down there...lol. But in most cases I won't have another till I am going weekly (36 weeks and up) to monitor dilation. With my first two I dilate up to 5cm before actually breaking water or have contractions.

DemoDoll · November 2013

My OB checks me at 8 weeks to see how everything feels and then not again until 36 weeks if you want to. She said cervical checks at the end are unnecessary and basically just for the mom's own curiosity.

jennypenny1014 · November 2013

I echo everything said above, except add that because I had a LEEP done shortly after DS was born (had an abnormal first pap that didn't clear up after the birth), my OB is monitoring mine to ensure that I won't have an incompetent cervix (one that isn't strong enough to hold the baby, and/or will soften/dilate early) that could cause me to end up on pelvic rest for the remainder of my pregnancy. That being said, she's only ever checked me twice now, and so far we're high and tight and long, so I think she's spacing the checks out. Not sure if she'll check again @my anatomy scan on the 18th.

maelic · November 2013

My doctor checked my cervix via ultrasound at my anatomy scan and said that's it for cervical checks unless something goes wrong. Last vaginal exam she did was at 11w, first appointment.

patunia7321 · November 2013

DemoDoll said:

My OB checks me at 8 weeks to see how everything feels and then not again until 36 weeks if you want to. She said cervical checks at the end are unnecessary and basically just for the mom's own curiosity.

Exactly the same here.

amhah09 · November 2013

Cervical / vaginal check at every appointment seems alarming to me. What was the reasoning?

Rrrrrachel · November 2013

I didn't have any cervical checks until 41 weeks.

Andrewsgal · November 2013

No I only have one done at 8 weeks. I have an ultrasound every two weeks starting at 22 weeks to check cervical length because I have a history of premature births. I would be shocked to see a doctor that checks at every appointment. It seems so unnecessary.

CalinAZ · November 2013

Very glad that I just had the first one and then won't again until the end. Like PP said, they checked my cervix via ultrasound and I'm assuming they'll do that at the anatomy scan, too.

Don't want them up there any more than they have to be!

sarahm7310 · November 2013

None here - even at beginning. My H and I joke that they probably won't even check until you feel the baby's head coming out here...I think it's just a lot of cultural things.

beautifulstr13 · November 2013

No checks until 36 weeks when my appointment will become weekly.

abbeylanecb · November 2013

sarahm7310 said:
None here - even at beginning. My H and I joke that they probably won't even check until you feel the baby's head coming out here...I think it's just a lot of cultural things.

This! I had my pap at 6 weeks and none until gbs. My midwife practice doesn't check to see if you are dialated until you are in active labor.

Mamaengen · November 2013

amhah09 said:
Cervical / vaginal check at every appointment seems alarming to me. What was the reasoning?

I'm not sure. It was also my first baby so I didn't know any different and just went with it. I sure am not missing all those though!

myschlove · November 2013

My doctor likes to do a Pap smear in the first couple visits so they do check it then but then they don't check again unless there's a problem! I think they might've checked me as I got to like 37 weeks to see if I was dilating but in the beginning and middle there's no reason to!

strawberrytree · November 2013

I get a pap at an early appointment and then nothing until the very end. Last time DS was born the day before my 38 week appointment, which was going to be my first cervical check, so I didn't even get one!

Bees Everywhere · November 2013

I just have a pap at the 1st appt then nothing until the strep check (about week 30 or something? can't remember- it's just a swab) then cervical checks the last month or so. I'd hate to have pap checks every appt! Yikes!

luvU2theMoon · November 2013

I have not had one vaginal check at all. i had my first ultrasound vaginally at 8 weeks and after that i have not dropped my pants once.I thought my doctor would have done it the first time i met with her at 12 weeks ( i saw a NP at week 8) but she just used the doppler.

KatieKim0815 · November 2013

I don't get inside checks from after 8 weeks (TV ultrasound) until 37 weeks!

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