Cervical Checks Starting at 36 Weeks - Are They Necessary?

jen83mn · May 2015

I asked my OB today when they determine the position the baby is in and how. She said at 36 weeks they'll do a cervical check and can feel for the baby's head at that point, and if I'm not dilated at all at that point, they would do an ultrasound to determine positioning. Is anyone planning to refuse cervical checks until they go into labor or closer to 40 weeks? Any STMs refuse cervical checks the first time, and if so, what were your reasons?

I'm not thrilled about the idea of a cervical check at that point unless it's absolutely necessary. I'm prone to spotting/bleeding after internal exams while pregnant and know that only causes me stress.

Thoughts?

blondehairblueeyeditalianbaby · May 2015

My midwife did not do one that early. My last appointment was at 37 weeks and they did not do any checks. I had my son before my next appointment at 38 weeks so I didn't have any checks until I was at labor and delivery.

Boobopgirl · May 2015

No. They are not necessary. Yes. You can refuse them. There are other ways to check baby's position (ultrasound being one of them). I didn't allow any until I was being scheduled for induction with K and then only because they needed to know if I had to have cytotec or just pitocin. They don't give any info that there's not another way to find out that early.

musicmomma00 · May 2015

I always declined - they can determine position just from feeling your tummy, and the other stuff (dilation, effacement) doesn't actually tell you very much. No one can tell you with any accuracy when you're going to go into labor based on those numbers. I have a friend who was 4, then 5cm (which is normally active labor!) and 70% effaced for WEEKS before she finally went into labor. To me, I just know the numbers would mess with my head. Plus, who really wants anyone down there poking around every week? I prefer to keep my pants on, thankyouverymuch.

WDDCH · May 2015

I'm just echoing the others but no, they're not necessary. And you can refuse.

A good reason to refuse is if you don't want a membrane sweep without consent (I've had OBs and a midwife do that in previous pregnancies; all without even telling or asking me!!!).

So my last baby, baby #5, I never had a cervix check. Not before birth, not during labor. There are ways to check for dilation in labor, without penetration. My midwife DID ask to check and I told her no. She respected that and there wasn't a medical emergency which required her to need to check (or she would have told me she *needed* to check). It was extremely freeing and I felt in charge, rather than just a spectator.

Growingapepper · May 2015

I plan on refusing cervical checks too. All the same reasons as PP. It really doesn't tell you anything, you can be dilated for weeks before labor, it doesn't really indicate anything. It just puts you at risk for germs/infection and they might do a cervical sweep without your consent. Completely unnecessary in my eyes.

shelbydd · May 2015

WDDCH said:
A good reason to refuse is if you don't want a membrane sweep without consent (I've had OBs and a midwife do that in previous pregnancies; all without even telling or asking me!!!).

Maybe a stupid question but.. what is a membrane sweep?

Boobopgirl · May 2015

They put their finger in there and try to separate the membranes. It's supposed to release hormones and potentially bring on labor. They shouldn't do it without your permission, but some doctors see it as NBD and do it anyway.

WDDCH · May 2015

shelbydd said:

WDDCH said:
A good reason to refuse is if you don't want a membrane sweep without consent (I've had OBs and a midwife do that in previous pregnancies; all without even telling or asking me!!!).
Maybe a stupid question but.. what is a membrane sweep?

If you're dilated the OB or midwife will sweep their fingers when doing the cervix check to try and release the bag of waters from the cervix. It causes a hormonal reaction that tells your body that you're in labor. It doesn't always work but for many women they can have their baby within 48 hours. You can totally choose to have this done if you are about to be induced but want to avoid Pitocin or other interventions. I, personally, wasn't happy with the fact that they didn't even ask or tell me.

After they do this you can feel a ton of pressure, bleed, have a ton of mucous discharge and begin to contract.

seg6394 · May 2015

Also may be a stupid question but @Boobopgirl why is that a bad thing?

seg6394 · May 2015

@wddch thank you!

Boobopgirl · May 2015

@seg6394 it's not necessarily a bad thing but it is 1) uncomfortable for most and painful for some 2) not a good thing to do without someone's permission. I mean, would you want someone potentially bringing on your labor without telling you??

seg6394 · May 2015

No @Boobopgirl that sounds awful! Thanks for the heads up

Yiggle09 · May 2015

I was actually told by a physician assistant that cervical checking is useless and is really just uncomfortable. Even if you're dilated it is still not strong enough evidence you'll go into labor at any point. You could be 5 cm for weeks etc. This is why I plan on declining them

jen83mn · May 2015

Boobopgirl said:

@seg6394 it's not necessarily a bad thing but it is 1) uncomfortable for most and painful for some 2) not a good thing to do without someone's permission. I mean, would you want someone potentially bringing on your labor without telling you??

I especially wouldn't want that done at 36 weeks! 40-41 weeks maybe, but definitely not at 36 weeks and definitely not without my consent!

Thank you all for your insight! I will probably decline them until at least 40 weeks unless there's an actual valid reason for them. I would prefer things be left alone up there and progress naturally, and I don't need any spotting scares that late in pregnancy either!

shelbydd · May 2015

WDDCH said:

shelbydd said:

WDDCH said:
A good reason to refuse is if you don't want a membrane sweep without consent (I've had OBs and a midwife do that in previous pregnancies; all without even telling or asking me!!!).
Maybe a stupid question but.. what is a membrane sweep?
If you're dilated the OB or midwife will sweep their fingers when doing the cervix check to try and release the bag of waters from the cervix. It causes a hormonal reaction that tells your body that you're in labor. It doesn't always work but for many women they can have their baby within 48 hours. You can totally choose to have this done if you are about to be induced but want to avoid Pitocin or other interventions. I, personally, wasn't happy with the fact that they didn't even ask or tell me.

After they do this you can feel a ton of pressure, bleed, have a ton of mucous discharge and begin to contract.

Wow! I can't beleive they would actually do this without permission. I'm glad you guys informed this was a thing, I had no idea.

hamiltks10 · May 2015

I declined all checks at my appointments leading up to both births. My practice is pretty natural birth friendly....so even though they brought it up and assumed that I would allow them to do it, I wasn't really given much flack when I said I would be declining. Do not be afraid to say no. Do not feel pressured to do something that really has no benefit and could actually cause issues.

cchaney8214 · June 2015

Don't think mg doc plans to until I'm in labor unless there's a good reason.

cchaney8214 · June 2015

*my

jnlebean23 · June 2015

Thank you for posting this, I had no idea (I knew they did cervical checks but didn't know when) and am glad I now know I can refuse. Thank you again.

cjstats87 · June 2015

With my first I was checked at 38 for the first time and was at a 3...my dr is very gentle and laid back...when we went back at 39+5 I asked for mine to be swept and had the baby the next day. Baby 2 I got checked at 37 weeks (due to bleeding after intercourse and was 3 and 90) and not again until until I asked to be swept at 40+1 and had the baby the next day...this baby I will probably as for a check if anything isn't going "normal" and have her sweep my membranes at my 40 w appt

I think if your dr knows what you want before hand and you are open with waiting they will too! Good luck!

folc4evernaday · June 2015

My doc only did them when I was contracting to make sure I wasn't dilating. It is required to find out the position but if you don't have bh or contractions then there's no reason to check that early.

krose92 · June 2015

Thanks for the info on the membrane sweep! Definitely going to turn down cervical checks unless medically necessary!

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Cervical Checks Starting at 36 Weeks - Are They Necessary?

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