They will have to do a strep b test though at some point to see if you need the antibiotics while in labor or is that no longer a thing.
My Dr still does the Strep B test but I don't remember it being as invasive as a cervix check. If I remember correctly it was more like a Pap smear.
At out dr office, we self swab for strep b. It is no where as invasive as a cervical check. With ds1, I didn't get any checks until 39 weeks, when my doctor offered. I accepted as she said it sometimes helps to get things going down there. I had DS at 39w1d and he was 8.5lb, so I wasn't exactly sad that it (may have) worked!
My doctor here in Germany uses a vaginal ultrasound to check at each visit so far, since 32 weeks - no hands. It's not super comfortable (like anything with an OBGYN), but not painful. I am not the type to question standard practice if I trust my doctor, though I get why and fully support women who do.
I think here, recognizing signs of potentially early labor is important because it massively impacts which hospital you will deliver at (your doctor does not deliver your baby, so being prepared for what is coming and which hospital to use, when is really important).
Am reading Hypnobirthing, and they talk about the importance of declining these examinations. I probably won't decline anything standard, but for me, knowing what it does and does not indicate will help me remain calm - I like having the info, personally.
I just asked my doctor the other day how he can tell if LO is head down without an ultrasound. He said that is one reason for an internal exam.
I'm confused about this. There is no way your doctor can feel your baby's head from an internal exam at this point. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't make any sense to me. There are external maneuvers that providers do called Leopolds maneuvers that can tell them where the head and butt are laying.
I'm not a doctor, this is just what he said. Again, he won't even be doing an internal until my 37 week appt (I won't be going my 36 week because of the way the dates fall). Anyhow, I assume that is what he is saying. ..he can determine head down when checking and dilation has occurred, not that he does the internal just to check if baby is head down or not.
I just asked my doctor the other day how he can tell if LO is head down without an ultrasound. He said that is one reason for an internal exam.
I'm confused about this. There is no way your doctor can feel your baby's head from an internal exam at this point. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't make any sense to me. There are external maneuvers that providers do called Leopolds maneuvers that can tell them where the head and butt are laying.
I didn't know the name, Leopold maneuver, but he did this at my appointment and that hurts more than any internal I remember from my first pregnancy. With that one I was high risk and had an ultrasound towards the end, so he never did this. Youch!
My doc just presses on my belly and he said he can feel the head down by my pelvis. Why wouldn't he be able to do so externally?
I think sometimes they can't for sure tell if it's a head or a butt. My doc said she felt his butt up on the right side, but I think that was after I'd described where I felt movement (hiccups always below belly button, pushing/stretching mostly upper right, sometimes less strong in lower left) so she had a good idea about where he might be anyway. IDK! I certainly wouldn't want to wait until the doc could FEEL the head to know that he's breech if the doctor can't handle a vaginal breech delivery! (If that makes any sense; I realize there wouldn't actually be a head to feel if he was breech.)
They can guess whether it's head or butt but I've seen them be wrong at my job waaaaay too many times. Now days the docs usually ultrasound real quick before induction. It's on our induction checklist.
They can guess whether it's head or butt but I've seen them be wrong at my job waaaaay too many times. Now days the docs usually ultrasound real quick before induction. It's on our induction checklist.
What if it's not an induction? Do they still typically do an u/s at some point before the EDD? I've heard here people having a quick check at 36 weeks or whatever, but I wonder how typical that is.
@Frogger5 When you come in for labor and are dilating they can feel the head internally so not necessary for ultrasound. Depends on the doc at 36 weeks. Were doing a US to check real quick at 36 weeks for placenta location and to check if baby is still breech. If you want one Or are worried I would ask.
I've had one dr that checked me every week from 36 weeks on and two doctors that didn't/don't check until labor starts. I think it just depends on your doctor!
i am also 32 weeks with twins and I got checked if I am dilated And it was really painful
I'm 34 weeks now and going in to be checked today- hopefully it's not too painful- please be gentle with my vagina, she is sad I already know both babies are head down because I get ultrasounds once a week. I'm having an elective c section so I'm not 100% sure why I have to be checked? I guess to see if anything has started to happen
Visiting from M15 with 5 days until my due date. My OB started checking last week at 38+3 and will check at 39+3, 40+1 and then only when absolutely necessary once I'm in labor.
Re: Dialation question
My doctor here in Germany uses a vaginal ultrasound to check at each visit so far, since 32 weeks - no hands. It's not super comfortable (like anything with an OBGYN), but not painful. I am not the type to question standard practice if I trust my doctor, though I get why and fully support women who do.
I think here, recognizing signs of potentially early labor is important because it massively impacts which hospital you will deliver at (your doctor does not deliver your baby, so being prepared for what is coming and which hospital to use, when is really important).
Am reading Hypnobirthing, and they talk about the importance of declining these examinations. I probably won't decline anything standard, but for me, knowing what it does and does not indicate will help me remain calm - I like having the info, personally.
I know right. I'm sure they see real bad ones.