Checking for dilation?

chshannon · June 2015

How many weeks are you before they start checking for dilation? I am 28 weeks and haven't been checked yet.

carleym93 · June 2015

I'm assuming your doc will do that for you later down the line (like 38 + weeks) if you want it done. However, definitely don't do it yourself. Your hands and environment aren't sterile and you could cause an infection.

Miz_Liz · June 2015

I didn't let my Dr check at all (a decision she totally agreed with). It won't tell you anything concrete, some women are 2 cm's for a month or more....one of my BF's was 5 cm's for over a week. If it was a prediction that could tell me when I will actually go into labor, sure, but it won't and it is very uncomfortable! That being said, I think practices that do check start around 36 weeks.

CaliforniaDream87 · June 2015

My Dr. doesn't offer starting until 39 weeks. I will be declining all cervical checks this go round. They're truly pointless for me.

chshannon · June 2015

Thanks ladies I couldn't remember how far along I was last time before they started checking I am not really looking forward to that part either so I am glad to hear a have a few more weeks before it has to happen.

Miz_Liz · June 2015

chshannon said:

Thanks ladies I couldn't remember how far along I was last time before they started checking I am not really looking forward to that part either so I am glad to hear a have a few more weeks before it has to happen.

If you don't want it done, just tell your Dr that you don't want it done...you don't have to have it done, there is no medical need until you are actually in labor. I think most Dr's do it just to appease patients.

bpwife&mama · June 2015

It's too early for them at this point. I don't remember getting them until much later with my first. I stayed at a 1 up until my water broke too.

Lalala2326 · June 2015

Mine said she will at 35 weeks unless I don't want her to. I probably will just because I get so many BHs, and I'm having an RCS. I'd like the reassurance that I'm not dilating at all yet...

puccagirl77 · June 2015

I had my membranes swept on my due date with Baby #1. I think that may have been the only time? (Just gave me some BH contractions, btw)

breezymeema7 · June 2015

If you're not crazy about them, you can totally decline. I sat at 5 cm for 2 whole friggin weeks. It drove me crazy knowing, I wish I had just told them not to say anything to me.

daniellepanda · June 2015

My dr doesn't do it unless you ask. The only time I was checked was once I was already in the hospital at 38 weeks being induced.

cubberss · June 2015

Miz_Liz said:

chshannon said:

Thanks ladies I couldn't remember how far along I was last time before they started checking I am not really looking forward to that part either so I am glad to hear a have a few more weeks before it has to happen.

If you don't want it done, just tell your Dr that you don't want it done...you don't have to have it done, there is no medical need until you are actually in labor. I think most Dr's do it just to appease patients.

There's no medical reason when you're in labour, either. I chose not be be checked at all last time. Baby still came out.

jesselayne8 · June 2015

My Drs start at 37wks. I was 1cm from 37wks-41wks both times. It's such a mindf*vk. I will be declining them this time around.

jlsweets · June 2015

jesselayne8 said:

My Drs start at 37wks. I was 1cm from 37wks-41wks both times. It's such a mindf*vk. I will be declining them this time around.

yup this was me too

Perfect Sonnet · June 2015

It was 36 weeks for me last time. I agree with the others that they're pretty pointless though. I may try to opt out this time.

hclzmm14 · June 2015

I will be declining this time unless I make it to 40 weeks, in which case I will probably ask her to see what's up at that point.

purduepat2004 · June 2015

I'm very interested that so many of you are opting out of the cervix check. I just assumed that is the first step to see how you are progressing. Are you relying on contractions or your water breaking or something else? I wish I was as confident as you ladies! I second guess everything when related to the pregnancy. Sorry if it sounds ignorant but what are you using to monitor your progression?

KMBC2552 · June 2015

purduepat2004 said:

I'm very interested that so many of you are opting out of the cervix check. I just assumed that is the first step to see how you are progressing. Are you relying on contractions or your water breaking or something else? I wish I was as confident as you ladies! I second guess everything when related to the pregnancy. Sorry if it sounds ignorant but what are you using to monitor your progression?

Contractions. I will be declining cervical checks until my due date because unless you are having active and regular contractions, they mean nothing. Until my water breaks or I am having active labor contractions, I will assume I am not in labor.

hclzmm14 · June 2015

purduepat2004 said:
I'm very interested that so many of you are opting out of the cervix check. I just assumed that is the first step to see how you are progressing. Are you relying on contractions or your water breaking or something else? I wish I was as confident as you ladies! I second guess everything when related to the pregnancy. Sorry if it sounds ignorant but what are you using to monitor your progression?

I was 1-3 cm dilated for the last 3 weeks and it just made me think, oh she is coming any day now! And she didn't. She came on her due date. So in my opinion there is no need to get checked because it literally doesn't tell you anything. It just made my mucous plug fall out every time. Which was gross and annoying. Plus it hurts. My advice to FTMs is just have it checked on your due date if you get there. If not, you will know when your labor starts.

ETA: getting checked hurts, not your plug falling out. Just wanted to clarify haha

aveline8 · June 2015

Yup I agree these are kind of pointless. Was checked at almost 40 wks because I thought my water might have broken, midwife couldn't even REACH my cervix it was so far back/up-it was so horribly uncomfortable. DD was born less than 48 hours later!! So just goes to show you numbers aren't always the best indicator.

EricaS00 · June 2015

I'm glad that there is the option of declining! I'm a FTM and I'm scared shitless. I don't need them scaring me even more.

jessandandy09 · June 2015

My ob doesn't do them unless you are having contractions (in labor) or are having complications. I remember asking last time at about 38 weeks if he was going to start cervical checks. He said "do you want me to do some, because they aren't necessary from my point of view" I laughed and said no thanks, He is a great doc and pretty funny too!

sschwege · June 2015

EricaS00 said:

I'm glad that there is the option of declining! I'm a FTM and I'm scared shitless. I don't need them scaring me even more.

Provided you are mentally capable of making decisions for yourself you can decline all medical interventions both while pregnant and while in labor

OP: My MWs don't do them routinely., mothers even do the GBS test by themselves. My MW put it best she said, "All I care about is if you are fully dilated and I highly doubt you would be walking around like that!" Fine with me! I might request to be checked this time only because my second was labeled a 'precipitous birth' he came so quickly that when my MW checked me in triage DH could see the head. I've already been told not to dawdle when I go into labor, but perhaps it would help towards the end if I knew just how dilated I already am. Like if I was 4cm before labor starts then we really need to hurry that type of thing.

gulimz · June 2015

I got checked very early on at 22 wks because I had a scare. So they checked to make sure I wasn't dilated or anything like that. It is extremely uncomfortable and I had cramping afterwards. Anyway thank goodness the baby was fine, but I think I will not have them check again. My office starts checking at 37 weeks.

Baby2HG · June 2015

I have no idea when mine starts to check. With my first I got checked a lot. This time I'm not sure.

bhargrave88 · June 2015

My dr checked me at the appointment where they do the GBS probe, just to see if I was thinning out yet, I was like (I want to say anyway, don't hold me to it) 34-35 weeks? I was 50% effaced then, so they assumed I'd go early. They don't usually do dialation checks til 38 weeks after that. They were really uncomfortable to me, very painful. I sat at 1 cm and 80% baby at station 0 for 2-3 weeks, was 2cm and 80% at my past due appointment. My water broke another 4 days later at 41 weeks. I was a 3 when they checked me at the hospital.. So you never know . I thought about declining them this time, but because I had a leep between the time my first was born and before I got pregnant this time I'm anxious to see if I can dilate on my own, occasionally scar tissue can prevent you from being able to dilate. So I want to know.

chshannon · June 2015

@bhargrave88 I had a leep about 7 years ago I didn't realize that could effect dilation thanks for the heads up

purduepat2004 · June 2015

I am 28.5 weeks on modified bedrest. 50% effaced and 1 cm dilated. I have an 18-month-old toddler which makes modified bedrest very difficult. I am wondering if I will be able to get off bedrest. Does anyone have any suggestions, stories or advice? The doctors have given me many different outcomes which makes me think no one knows.

laurasuzanne2006 · June 2015

They are pointless. When I have regular contractions I will assume labor has started

. The only time I think they are useful is for medical necessary inductions to see where you are starting from And to get a bishop score

bhargrave88 · June 2015

@chshannon it's a possibility, doesn't happen to everyone. I worry because the worst cells of my cervical cancer were higher up into my cervix rather than visible to her (she told me this was both odd and scary for her! ). I've had to have extra monitoring throughout this pregnancy so far. The MFM doctor told me that had I not mentioned having a leep, he would have never guessed, it looks that good. And my OB says it healed terrifically with no visible signs on the external end. We shall see! I'm having a pap done in a week too lol

jesselayne8 · June 2015

chshannon said:
@bhargrave88 I had a leep about 7 years ago I didn't realize that could effect dilation thanks for the heads up

My sister and GF had their scar tissue "torn" by the Dr during labor and they had no problem dilating to 10. Sounds awful but they both got epis first so it wasn't bad.

bhargrave88 · June 2015

Oh my .. That doesn't even sound fun lol. It's a play by ear sort of thing, some women have no issues dialating, a small percentage does. Won't know til it comes time

I am ready to see for myself tho! Lol.. Well not really see it, but you know what I mean lol

TeamIrvin2012 · June 2015

Usually 35 weeks, but sooner if necessary... I was checked today because I have been having pain...

Bfernandez22609 · June 2015

I'm 32 weeks pregnant and have been having some pelvic pressure/ pain. At my appointment today my Dr. Said that my cervix was starting to efface/thin out but my cervix is still closed. He said it's because I'm carrying really low ( which I have been my whole pregnancy) He didn't sound to concerned and told me to take it easy. He also wants me to start going in every week and not every 2 weeks!! Well, now I'm concerned!!! Isn't it too soon for this to be happening already??? Trying not to worry but I still have 2 months to go!!

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