Anyone else refusing checks?

kpjones2011 · March 2015

I'll be 38 weeks Tuesday and haven't gotten checked yet. My sister is very opinionated and keeps telling me I need to refuse till 39 weeks. I'm all for waiting because she said it's very painful during and after and you can cramp and bleed and cause contractions before the baby is ready. But I haven't felt any contractions or pain and don't see the need to unless my doctor really wants to. It's my first baby so I don't know what to expect. I've been having stomach/crampy pain low where my hips and pelvis are and sometimes when I've sat a while and first stand up and the baby is pushing out its painful. But I don't think those are braxton hicks? I've worked the last 3 days 12 hour shifts of straight sitting so my hips and legs are sore from that but I've tried to get up and walk around often. Anyways. Not sure if i should let my doc check me tuesday or ask for one more week.

guinevereis · March 2015

Internal cervical checks will not cause contractions- otherwise OB's would not do them when ruling out preterm labor. Cervical assessments aren't fun, but I wouldn't describe them as painful- more uncomfortable. Bleeding/ spotting generally happens after a membrane sweep rather then just checking cervical dilation/ effacement. It comes down to your choice- you're 38 weeks so regardless of what the internal assessment finds you need to wait for regular contractions to be in true active labor.

kayla2412 · March 2015

I agree i have never had cramping or bleeding of any sort when i get checked and this is my 2nd child... I like being checked so i know the progress on where im at how diolated

JAP09-02 · March 2015

I do not plan on having them. I feel they don't provide any useful information unless you have complications (ie hx of PTL) or are contracting regularly. I did have them with my first because I just thought that was what everyone did. I was nada, nothing at all my appointments. Then I'd go home and cry because it made me feel like I'd be pregnant forever. I however, went into labor 6 days before my due date. On the other hand I had a friend who walked around 3 cm for at least a week. She was due before me but went overdue. I declined them with my second child. Maybe I'm just less curious because I'm having/had scheduled c-sections. I will say I never found them uncomfortable with my first child, but that may be because I wasn't effaced or dilated. Who knows?

taahira · March 2015

They aren't painful, or cause bleeding, and don't bring on contractions. The doctor will just be able to tell you if your cervix are preparing for labor. It really isn't a big deal, compared to giving birth.

carter604 · March 2015

36w3d and I plan to decline them as well - I'm a first time mom but question the value and I hate being poked and prodded. I've had an easy and uncomplicated pregnancy so far and have full confidence that the little one will come when she's ready - I'll skip the stirrups thank you very much.

jessc0616 · March 2015

I got checked at 38w 1 d and I had spotting afterwards but it didn't hurt at all when I was checked.

JuliaLovesPugs · March 2015

I bled a bit after my second check. I would say the first couple hurt a little, but I relax now and it doesn't bother me as much. I'm too curious to see what's going on (which is nothing yet) to skip the check, especially since I know I'll be induced by the 8th.

70point3 · March 2015

They don't do them here (Singapore) so my weekly visits are just an ultrasound to check fluid levels and baby size.

topaz7777 · March 2015

I've been checked every week since 34 weeks (originally because of a preterm labor scare) and it hasn't caused any further dilation nor contractions.

dancinbaby123 · March 2015

I'm a FTM and read about women refusing checks but figured my doctor knows best and if she suggests it I would let her. Had one at 36 weeks and it was uncomfortable but not unbearable. No dilation or effacement. No spotting or bleeding. Will have another today at 38w2d and am curious if there will be any changes.

pistachio&blush · March 2015

FTM - I had my first one two weeks and it was similar to a Pap smear. No bleeding or cramping afterwards. I trust my doctor and I am going to follow her advice on this one.

nechmielewski · March 2015

I won't be participating. We will use a us to check placement.

houser1406 · March 2015

I've gotten 2 already they were uncomfortable but never caused cramps. I spotted after the second check but only for a little while. Its standard procedure with my doctor and not a big enough deal for me to make a stink about.

Coco118 · March 2015

I have refused all checks. Like you I haven't had any contractions or signs/symptoms of labor, and therefore see absolutely no need for them. I don't refuse because of discomfort or bleeding, just simply because all medical research says they are pointless unless a person is high risk. I work in the medical field and know that doctors actually don't always "know best" but rather follow old methods that are no longer proven. You should always do your own research and make your own decisions medically and question anything you are unsure of. When my OB offered a check and I questioned the reasoning, he responded there was absolutely no medical reason and it was just because some women "like to know."

kier23 · March 2015

taahira said:
They aren't painful, or cause bleeding, and don't bring on contractions. The doctor will just be able to tell you if your cervix are preparing for labor. It really isn't a big deal, compared to giving birth.

Lies!!!!! Lol I swear the nurse that checked me Friday night when I went up to hospital could have been a little nicer about it. Pretty much felt violated and had terrible cramping up until today...which of course is when I have my doctors appt. Where she will be checking me. Hopefully she is nicer because I so want to believe you all when you say it doesn't hurt.

taahira · March 2015

kier23 said:

taahira said:
They aren't painful, or cause bleeding, and don't bring on contractions. The doctor will just be able to tell you if your cervix are preparing for labor. It really isn't a big deal, compared to giving birth.
Lies!!!!! Lol I swear the nurse that checked me Friday night when I went up to hospital could have been a little nicer about it. Pretty much felt violated and had terrible cramping up until today...which of course is when I have my doctors appt. Where she will be checking me. Hopefully she is nicer because I so want to believe you all when you say it doesn't hurt.

It seriously is nothing compared to giving birth. That's some kind of pain that's beyond cramping.

emclaughlin613 · March 2015

@kier23 your ob/doctor will hopefully have a gentler approach and won't be as rough as the nurse at the hospital. My checks are uncomfortable like a pap exam. Some cramps, but I rarely spot after.

zandyb · March 2015

I'm almost 39 weeks and have so far declined checks. Last week the nurse who showed me to my room told me to prep for a check, but when the midwife came in she told me it was medically unnecessary and unless I really wanted to know we could skip it. I'd rather avoid the discomfort while I can and I know that you can be dilated for weeks before you actually go into labor, so the information isn't that useful.

mollymsalyers · March 2015

I've been getting regular cervical checks since 36 weeks, I wasn't at risk for preterm labor but at my 38 week appointment found out I was two centimeters dilated. The checks are uncomfortable but I think good to know, they don't cause bleeding or cramping. In fact cramping is usually why you get a cervical check in the first place. I could refuse them if I want but I like knowing what's going on in there. I'm also a FTM.

sschwege · March 2015

My office doesn't do them routinely, so I did not have one until I showed up at the hospital 6cm dilated with DD and fully dilated with DS. There are valid reasons to do them, preterm labor, induction, etc. but as far as doing them routinely they aren't necessary. My office even has you do your own GBS test, they just send you to the bathroom with it.

csmith121011 · March 2015

My drs office doesn't do them at all unless there is a concern.

kier23 · March 2015

Lol yes I know it won't be anywhere close to giving birth but still.... and yes she was much much nicer than the nurse.

guinevereis · March 2015

I think it really depends on the person doing them. When I was getting checked at 28 weeks, I sware the nurse was fisting me and I had to hold onto the rails or else I may have shot off the head of the bed with all the pressure she used. All the other times have been fine.

lmk115 · March 2015

There is no reason to do them, my doctor doesn't do them unless you are having contractions. People walk around slightly dilated for weeks or people dilate suddenly; it is in no way a predictor for when you will go into labor. Regular contractions tell you that. While I get that people like to know because they feel like it signal something, if you don't want them, you definitely don't need them. They're an old school habit.

amymead23 · March 2015

I am 37 weeks and my OB sent me to hospital yesterday as I called in and thought my fluid was leaking. The hospital did check me, first with a pap test which was not fun! It was uncomfortable but I could not open my legs enough because of my sciatic nerve. Then they did a manual check which did not hurt at all. All last night through the night I did have cramping on and off and my vagina was sore last night. But cramping has stopped and no bleeding. I think it's a personal choice and you should do what makes you feel comfortable ")

Mariaby · March 2015

There are different kinds of answers and opinions on here. I read that for most it doesn't hurt. For me, it has been one of the worse pains I've felt but mainly because I have a narrow pelvis. So it varies. I haven't bled or cramped afterwards though. If the doctor wants to check me, I go ahead and allow it. I'm 35 weeks and was seen at the hospital for pre-term labor so they had to check me.

FitMom3510 · March 2015

I've been checked 3x the first time did not hurt at all, the second was the most painful and I had brown spotting for 3 days after then last week wasn't too painful just more pressure and had spotting just not as much as the second time.

vbonitto · March 2015

My doctor says he won't check me until I am 39 weeks. It's only because at that point, I can schedule an induction if things aren't progressing. They don't check the cervix unless there is some complication. My specialist had also stopped checking my cervix at 32 weeks.

newmom1989 · March 2015

I've been getting checked every week for 2 months (preterm labor contractions) it doesn't feel good but it certainly doesn't cause contractions or anything like that Ya i bleed a little but it's normal you'll want to know if you're dilated so you'll have a little heads up just my opinion though

gracie21145 · March 2015

I had one Saturday at the er and I bled everywhere but they told me that was normal because I was 3cm dilated and 75% effaced. Also it can occasionally hurt depending on the roughness of the doctors/nurse checking you. But it won't do any damage.

chrisandsarahwedding · March 2015

I definitely wished I would have declined. I didnt know that was an option. I had it done last week and for a few days afterward I was bleeding more than I thought I should be. I believe I lost my mucus plug because of it as well. I didn't have any contractions, and after that check I had quite a bit of the Braxton Hicks.

ravishingscarlet · March 2015

I don't refuse checks, mainly because I had an emergency c-section with my oldest and was scheduled with my second and now third. I don't want to go into active labor and have another emergency situation. But that's just me.

kcolleylussier · March 2015

I have a midwife and they don't check until labour starts, why do doctors do them?

saraozim · March 2015

I had one at just over 36 weeks and I actually ended up in L&D later on that night from the intense cramping and bleeding I had afterwards. It hurt like a bitch during at the doctors office and then again at the hospital but they said it had something to do with how far back my cervix was. I've refused since because I know it makes no difference. The baby will come when she wants to and you can walk around dilated for weeks or you can go from 0-5 in a day. I'd rather pass on the discomfort.

teresabean2000 · March 2015

They have checked mine twice at 35 and 36 weeks because we are having twins and are scheduled to induce at 37 weeks. I am really tough and yet this procedure was very painful to me both times! Not sure if my Dr is just rough? I also had minor cramping and brown spotting for about 2 days after.

mhickey426 · March 2015

They are uncomfortable and can be a little sore but I wouldn't say hurt. My dr said I might see spotting but so far never have with either pregnancy. I trust that my dr wouldn't do anything to put me or my child at risk so if he wants to check then I let him check. My first was a week late and I was induced. Currently I'm 39 weeks so I let him check because Im praying for some type of progress. So far nothing.

nolababybaby · March 2015

My doctor said they mostLy do them because women are curious as to whether they are progressing but that there's really no reason to do so in a regular healthy pregnancy. Your choice!

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