Quick question about internal exams

octobermama87 · July 2014

DS is only 17 months old, so it hasn't been that long ago when I was pregnant with him but I'm trying to remember when my OB started doing the internal exams on me. Is it 32 weeks? 36 weeks? I have an appt tomorrow morning (I'm 27 weeks today)- she probably won't be doing an internal, right? :-/

russinangl · July 2014

I just had my 26wk appt and had no internal

hgielrebmik · July 2014

I think usually not until 36. It may vary by dr and patient history though.

noellemari · July 2014

My practice doesn't do them til 38 weeks unless there's a reason to check.

jesslinnn · July 2014

I can't remember either... I think 36 weeks.

Edit: I just bump stalked myself. My OB first checked me at 37 weeks with DS1 and 36 weeks with DS2.

kindacrunchy · July 2014

My doctor doesn't do them routinely since they don't actually indicate how soon labor will start.

vrj0522 · July 2014

MW didn't do one until 38 weeks last time.

MorganWP · July 2014

I wanna say 34 weeks but that could be because I went into early labour at 33.. however she stopped doing them at every appointment after I was positive for Group B Strep.

MrsSarahRenee · July 2014

I am fairly certain they told me 28 weeks which is my next appt. I think different groups start at different times though.

Jennyc00 · July 2014

I haven't been checked yet and I'm 26 weeks. My friend was checked last week at 35 weeks and she's 3cm dilated and 80% effaced! They told her baby could come at any moment and to slow down as much as possible. Happy for her they checked early! I am SO not looking forward to those checks!! I'm modest and just cringe when you have legs spread and dr face in your crotch!! Better get used to having all the lady parts on display soon though!

cozybluebear · July 2014

I have a 17 month old as well! I was checked at 36 weeks... I was 3cm 90% effaced for 4 weeks!

octobermama87 · July 2014

Thanks for all of your replies ladies!!!! :-)

jcsumm0 · July 2014

You can always refuse them.

I didn't have one until the day before my induction at 37 weeks.

MrsSinner402 · July 2014

ETA I posted on the wrong thread oops! Disregard this. Need more coffee.

raynes · July 2014

My doc doesn't do them until at least your due date. I don't even think I had one until I was well overdue last time. He's in the camp of knowing the number doesn't really tell you anything (I know women from my other BMB that have walked around at 4cm for weeks) and less interventions/introduction of bacteria is better.

MrsSinner402 · July 2014

Mine checks for Strep at 35 weeks she said. So that appt will be an internal exam.

miss.brittany · July 2014

My midwife doesn't do routine checks unless there is a need. At 38 weeks they asked if I wanted to be checked. I declined. Baby will come whenever baby is ready so I figured there was no point in thinking the internal would predict anything. (My best friend was 5 cm for 4 weeks!) Anyway my midwife had said that they don't routinely check because you risk exposing germs to the cervix when you start doing the internals, and that can cause an infection. With my first I wasn't checked until my appointment on my due date! And she still came 6 days later. Haha

MuffinMom14 · July 2014

Mine starts when the weekly appointments start at 36 weeks.

THAT SAID. What is this anal swab business for the Strep test? I'm scared of THAT garbage.

JessAnnJ · July 2014

Last time I believe it was 27 weeks, but I think I will skip the internal exams this time.

LaDyBostonRN · July 2014

noellemari said:

My practice doesn't do them til 38 weeks unless there's a reason to check.

Um, yea def this. My practice doesn't check until 39 weeks and some only check if you ask. The midwives never check unless there is a reason (ruptured membranes, painful ctx's). They don't want to introduce any unnecessary bacteria.

SPurp13 The GBS test isn't that bad, it doesn't even use a speculum, so it's much better than a pap. Just a quick insert of a small q-tip into the vagina and bum, about 2cm.

MuffinMom14 · July 2014

@ladybostonrn I'm stressed about the bum.

LaDyBostonRN · July 2014

SPurp13 I know, i get it. At least it's quick and it doesn't go that far in! Just pretend you're having a small poop

octobermama87 · July 2014

I just got back from my OB appt- I asked her when she'll start doing them, she said 35-36 weeks. I think I'll refuse them this time around though.

Firemanswife11 · July 2014

This is news to me. So far, I've not been violated and I was hoping to keep it that way. Glad to know this is on the horizon ... lol.

bennikki · July 2014

I wasn't checked until we arrived at the hospital after my water broke. My Dr. doesn't check unless you are being induced, and I had DS 3 days before my due date.

erinchrisitne424 · July 2014

My docs office must be the only none that does internal exams through the whole pregnancy. It is routine to undress from he waist down every visit. I envy you all who don't get checked that regularly.

erinchrisitne424 · July 2014

However they do not do the anal swab.

noellemari · July 2014

erinchrisitne424 said:
However they do not do the anal swab.

It's important to know if you're GBS positive. It's not done until 36ish weeks so maybe they haven't discussed with you yet?

MorganWP · July 2014

... they actually went in your bum? My doc just swabbed a little around the outside. Didnt feel like anything and she warned me beforehand.

narabug · July 2014

LaDyBostonRN said:

noellemari said:

My practice doesn't do them til 38 weeks unless there's a reason to check.

Um, yea def this. My practice doesn't check until 39 weeks and some only check if you ask. The midwives never check unless there is a reason (ruptured membranes, painful ctx's). They don't want to introduce any unnecessary bacteria.

SPurp13 The GBS test isn't that bad, it doesn't even use a speculum, so it's much better than a pap. Just a quick insert of a small q-tip into the vagina and bum, about 2cm.

Am I the only one who doesn't find pap smears uncomfortable?

KingsDaughter76 · July 2014

I have already been checked with this baby- but it was because I was having cramping and they wanted to make sure I wasn't dilating early...it was just an infection so they treated me and I am ok now. I don't plan to start getting checked unless something warrants it- I did deliver a month early last baby so we shall see...

MrsTinMKE · July 2014

@ LadyBostonRN - Seriously in the bum? I feel like every day I learn at least one new way that my body will be violated before and after this baby

ladybug0088 · July 2014

Is the internal exam pretty similar to a normal exam? I'm not really sure what to expect...

ladybug0088 · July 2014

That's the best thing I've heard yet. I'm always so uncomfortable and apparently having PCOS makes it even more so. I was dreading this, but I feel a little better now.

MuffinMom14 · July 2014

@nanabug, I really don't either. At least, when the NP does them. When the OB does them it's a little more comfortable, like she's digging around for donuts in there. She makes me feel like she's just going to reach in there, grab an arm, and yank this baby out. But even with her, it's not painful or SUPER bad or anything.

MuffinMom14 · July 2014

@nicb13 are your paps normally painful? I just assumed these are like paps, which isn't a huge deal for me. But I guess some people have no fun times with paps, either.

golfingdarwinfish · July 2014

Nicb13 said:

SPurp13 said:

@nicb13 are your paps normally painful? I just assumed these are like paps, which isn't a huge deal for me. But I guess some people have no fun times with paps, either.

Nope, paps are totally fine for me so I didn't expect this to be so painful. Something about him feeling the cervix and whatever else he is doing in there was SO flipping painful. Perhaps that's why I bled so much after each check and needed best rest plus NST's.

I had an impromptu cervical check Monday evening and almost broke doctor #2's hand (dr. #1 performed the exam). It also took way longer than I anticipated, though that could be because I'm pretty sure she's not extremely experienced (seemed like a fellow or just recently concluded her fellowship). Ah, the joys of being at an academic hospital.

ladybug0088 · July 2014

Ugh...I'm dreading this now. It is normally so painful at my annual. It'll be great to do this on a weekly basis...NOT!

MuffinMom14 · July 2014

Well now I'm good and terrified, because paps are normally no big deal at all for me.

pnwlover12 · July 2014

Wait....anal swab?! I don't remember this at all from being pregnant with DD.

Roseypants · July 2014

pnwlover12 said:

Wait....anal swab?! I don't remember this at all from being pregnant with DD.

I totally never had this with DD...I would remember lol!

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