When to accept cervical checks?

Pinknights · December 2013

I'm 36 weeks and 3 days. I saw my midwife today and refused the cervical check at this stage, because as a FTM and no signs of labor, I felt it was too early. At what point would it be helpful in terms of weeks? I want to start Evening Primrose, but I'm not sure when...38 weeks? Is that still too early?

I'm going for a hypnobirthing birth and want as little interventions as possible...but now I'm worried about going over...(this is just all in my head).

MrsBigTime · December 2013

You can start EPO any time, really. It's not gonna kick you into labor, but help prepare your cervix.

I knew I was going to deliver by 39 weeks, so I allowed cervical checks at 37, but I also had my membranes stripped at that time.

If you're a numbers person, knowing if you are dilated may be beneficial mentally, but really, there isn't any reason to be checked, IMO. Some women are 4s for weeks and some others (like me) are barely half and then easily deliver two days later.

KatieP71312 · December 2013

I had one cervical exam my entire pregnancy and it was a membrane sweep to ensure my labor was not being delayed by scar tissue. I was already in active labor. My MWs never suggested, encouraged or requested to perform cervical exams on me and I won't have any this go round either.

J&Jaggies06 · December 2013

I didn't get checked until I was at my 41 week appt when they also swept my membranes because I was already 3cm

foreverapartofme · December 2013

I was checked at 35 weeks with my last pregnancy, because I was having a lot of contractions early on. The following week they checked me as well. I ended up delivering DD at 37 weeks. You are at a point in the pregnancy where I would not worry too much about it, because baby will come whenever he or she wants to at this point. Best wishes!

nosoup4u · December 2013

I didn't have any checks until I was admitted to the hospital w DS1. Didn't have any w DS2 bc I showed up pushing.

aylafsu88 · December 2013

I had one check at 39 weeks 4 days. I only consented because my next appointment would be 40 weeks and 6 days. I figured I wanted to know something at that appointment as the next one was so far away and my OB would start talking induction. In reality the check probably did more harm that good for me. I was 2-3 cm and 80% effaced. I went into labor the next day and labored at home for awhile. When I got to the hospital (after 8+ hours at home) I was checked when I was admitted and 6 cm, 100% effaced. I remember being upset and telling my doula that I expected to be further. It really got my sprints down and I briefly lost my positivity. In reality I progressed very quickly and was holding LO in less than 2 hours. Next time I will refuse all checks until labor.

sschwege · December 2013

Had both my babies at 40w3d and was not checked until I was in labor.

You can start epo now.

BShreeve · December 2013

I refused mine at my 39 week check up on Fri with my MW for the same reason as OPs and PPs mentioned. If I go to 40 weeks I will do check and sweep at that appt. is the sweep as heinous as it sounds???

BShreeve · December 2013

I'm also doing hypnobirthing. Good luck!

Mrs.Alanna · December 2013

I didn't get checked at all with my first pregnancy until I was in active labor. I also had my membranes swept at the same time since my water had broken and my contractions were very minimal. It hurt like a beetch.

I'm hoping to not be checked until I'm in labor again this time!

mb314 · December 2013

I accepted a cervical check at 39 weeks because I was facing an induction for high blood pressure and my MW wanted to know how dilated I was in order to understand the type of induction I would be facing (i.e. whether or not I would likely need cervadil, or just pitocin). I was 1 cm, and 60% effaced. No one thought I would go into labor anytime soon.

As it turns out, I went into labor on my own (without any natural induction attempts on my part) about 10 hours after being checked, and I had my baby in my arms less than 24 hours later. So I went from 1 cm to 10 cm in less than 24 hours.

You can refuse them at any point. They don't really tell you much. I don't regret having mine, but I do recognize it wasn't necessary.

catsinawindow · December 2013

I consented to cervical checks because I knew I was facing an induction due to PreE. Knowing how dilated I was helped me determine my Bishops score and research induction options. Knowing helped me, but in a different situation I wouldn't have consented to them.

catsinawindow · December 2013

BShreeve said:
I refused mine at my 39 week check up on Fri with my MW for the same reason as OPs and PPs mentioned. If I go to 40 weeks I will do check and sweep at that appt. is the sweep as heinous as it sounds???

I had a membrane sweep several days before my induction in hopes I wouldn't need one. It honestly wasn't very bad at all. Slightly more uncomfortable than a cervical check but not unbearable at all.

Crinita · January 2014

I waited until after 39 weeks and it was a letdown. I didn't dilate until I was well into active labor, even then when she checked I was only 3 cm... but after that things happened very rapidly. After what I experienced, I really wouldn't place too much emphasis on cervical dilation being an indicator...

TrendyTina · January 2014

My MW accidentally popped my bag while stripping my membranes at 41w0d. My body was not ready for labor. Contractions never started. I used the breast pump to get things going, but it was never enough to get me into active labor (even after 26 hours). I ended up with pitocin and epidural for 2 hours and my dreams of an unmedicated birth went out the window. I will not consent to any cervical checks this time. Not worth it. I'll just stay curious.

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