Any not getting dilation checks?

paine0925 · September 2015

im 37 weeks today, FTM, I'm not getting any cervical checks done at all - wondering if there are any others out there not doing it either?? Hard reading every other post where they know how dilated and effaced they are LOL!!

WDDCH · September 2015

I didn't my last pregnancy and birth. Not even in labor! I have the same midwife this time and I'm one day past my EDD - still no checks. If I asked then she'd check but I don't really need.

musicmomma00 · September 2015

No, I think it would drive me crazy knowing. Plus, if keeping my pants on at the dr (midwife, whatever) is an option, I'm all about that.

steneio · September 2015

I've been opting out of them as well. Baby will be here when he is ready

MommyandBryce · September 2015

I will not be checked until I'm in labor! The midwives think it's pointless, and I completely agree. I think knowing a number would drive me crazy. I'm already anxious about not knowing when he will come, I don't need anything else to make me anxious!

BabyBugutsky · September 2015

I haven't had any dilation checks other then when I thought my water broke last night.

Knottie12323835 · September 2015

I had one done last week at 36.4 when the Dr. Was already down there doing the Streb B test. She offered and hubby and I took her up on that offer! Turns out I'm not dilated, effaced, nothing. It hurt a lot worse than I expected! So I think I'll refuse them unless I go past my EDD. I got the curiosity out of my system, lol.

surprisepkg31 · September 2015

I'm not interested in knowing, it will just make me feel anxious or wonder too much. Ftm trying to avoid Google and just feel like something needs to stay a mystery. I've been very annoyed by all the hoopla of pregnancy. I feel very old fashioned but probably was just so clueless overall. Never knew how invasive pregnancy was. I second keeping my legs closed and pants on as much as possible. I am so uncomfortable with any checks.

ForeverEverAfter · September 2015

I'm declining until 42w. My Dr offered at my 38w appt because I'm an hours drive to the hospital, but was happy I declined. My doula has seen plenty of people go from firm and closed to holding a baby in a day-so its just one more mind game to me.

Plus I'd rather keep my pants on lol-I even did my own GBS swab. I have not had a pelvic exam yet this pregnancy (had a recent normal pap, so there hasn't been any need).

FlyingIrish · September 2015

39w 3 days and have not had a single check. Would be interested to know if I'm dilated at all so hoping for a check at my visit on Tuesday!

louiser210591 · September 2015

38+3 and I haven't but I'm from the UK so I only see a midwife and they don't check for dilation x

Growingapepper · September 2015

Only got checked when I went in to L&D a couple weeks ago bc I thought I might have been going into preterm labor. Haven't been checked since and I don't plan on it. Knowing I'm not dilated at all will crush my soul, and knowing a number would get my hopes up wayyy to high lol.

booksandcleverness81 · September 2015

I had one at 36wks during the GBS because my Dr wanted to see if I had any signs of progress (there weren') because she was suggesting that I skip my 37wk appt since I'm doing so well and live 2 hours away. No real reason to go in unless there was something to check up on until after 38wks. So I agreed and it doesn't make a difference to me knowing that I'm not dilated. Little man will come when he's ready and I'm sure my body will do what it needs to do. I won't have any other checks until I'm in labor.

venegac14 · September 2015

Ur not missing out on anything....I asked the same question last time as I felt frustrated from not knowing or being checked and it hurt way more than I had anticipated plus knowing only drives you insane of when baby is coming!!!

duckygirl11 · September 2015

Agree with all PPs. Unless you are having signs of labor or are very near or over your due date there is no need. Don't stress, you're doing great!

krose92 · September 2015

I had them do one when they did the group b test (not dilated at all), but otherwise I've decided not to have any unless there's a particular need

tophywife · September 2015

My doctor usually does internal exams beginning at 35 weeks. But I'm 37 weeks and haven't had one yet because baby is breech. Looks like each doctor/practice does things differently.

kheitic4 · September 2015

My doc doesn't offer until 38 weeks so maybe they will at your next appointment.. But I read on another thread on here there's a purple dilation line you can check yourself. Haha google it!

klpie · September 2015

I declined until 40 weeks. Had one then (Friday). Not sure if he will check next Friday if I haven't had her yet, especially since he asked that I get an ultra sound that morning before my appt if she hasn't come yet (41 week appt).

kanga915 · September 2015

Nope. My doc would if I asked her to but I have zero interest. I very much prefer to be blissfully ignorant of what is, or is not happening until I'm in labor.

amylou512 · September 2015

I have placenta previa so my doc said I'm supposed to refuse them!

kaybee03 · September 2015

39 weeks. Have not had any yet. My family friend who is a nurse shared that they are not really telling before 39 weeks and even then, aren't really necessary. I do plan on having one on Tuesday at my appointment because I may be induced anyway due to some other concerns... I did not want to have the irritation/discomfort for something that really doesn't tell you too much before this point.

katieserrato23 · September 2015

I'm not getting my first cervical check until 39.weeks. Dr doesn't like to introduce bacteria for no reason.

ktbkitten · September 2015

I get them done every time, but I am the type of person that needs to know what is going on. I was 0, then almost 1, and then almost 2 last Tuesday. I am hoping to be almost 3 this Tuesday at my next appointment. If nothing was happening I would still want to know even if it was a little discouraging. They aren't comfortable but nothing is comfortable at this point so it's whatever.

CRooney89 · September 2015

I had one last week at my 39 week appointment, only because I told my OB I had been having painful contractions at night. Turns out I wasn't even dialated yet, anyways. Up until that point I had not had any internal exams because I figure baby will be here when he's here and no use in making myself anxious for no reason!

jwebbbber45678 · September 2015

I had my first one at 39 weeks 3 days.

rachelkawesome · September 2015

I haven't gotten any (using a midwife) and I agree with PPs that it would just make me INSANE. Plus I've had people asking about dilation, and frankly it's so nice to say "I don't know" and shut down the conversation rather than hearing "Oh it must be soon!" or "Wow I was dilated 2cm already!" or whatever thing they are going to say, haha! Not to be a grouch about it, but dilation doesn't mean very much so I don't really care what other people's opinions on it are.

AsYouWishButtercup · September 2015

Seeing midwife (planned home birth) and I havnt had a single check. I won't either

outside of extenuating circumstances my midwife doesn't even do cervical checks in labor. Glad I don't know. It would drive me crazy!

laurengon82 · September 2015

My doctor said he was going to be doing pelvic exams starting at 35 weeks, but has not yet. I'll be 38 weeks on Wednesday and he said he might check at that appointment or the following weeks.

ljhans · September 2015

My doctor usually starts checks at 36 weeks. I had a check at 36 weeks and wasn't dilated at all, and now I'm opting out of the weekly checks until 39 or 40 weeks, and my doctor is cool with it. I felt so awkward and hated the 36 week cervical check, and ended up crying afterwards and feeling like such a wimp..if I think cervical checks are so bad, what makes me think I can possibly give birth?! I felt defeated and weak and started getting fearful about labor. I told my doula and she explained that it's totally normal to think cervical checks are the worst. They're invasive and awkward and it's not natural. The process of labor and birth is very natural and has a beautiful result that is a completely different experience than a cervical exam. So, I feel empowered again

and I'm glad I don't have to feel uncomfortable again just to be told how dilated I am, which doesn't mean anything to me either way at this point.

majormayhem210 · September 2015

I was considering not getting checked but I really want to know what is going on. I'm 37 week and getting checked on Wednesday.

JBelanger2015 · September 2015

The exams are so pointless.. I had one last Friday at 36w 4d and not only did it hurt like all hell and cause spotting (first time ever in my pregnancy) I was not dilated at all.. "Low but firm". It means nothing. You can go from high and from to full blown open in 24 hours from some stories I've heard. Or be dilated for a month and get nowhere.

Don't put yourself through it. It's very uncomfortable and is less reliable than flipping a coin.

Cristin123 · September 2015

I'm considering if I can avoid any checks during labor, I know I can obviously refuse but not sure if it'll annoy nurses etc. not that I care what they think but they can be snarky! My doula thinks it's barbaric and I have to agree with her. Had two and they were unpleasant.

cplanker · September 2015

I had one at my appointment last week at 38w5d and was told I was 3 cm and 50%. Was pretty eager after thinking labor may be soon. Well here I am at 39w3days and no changes, still waiting.
The check was pretty painful and I spotted afterwards. I'm going to opt out this next time due to the discomfort I had. Also, the fact that even if there is good progression it is still a waiting game and they come when they come.

picariellol · September 2015

So glad I read this thread. I'm 37 weeks tomorrow and going to refuse checks until labor as well. I just didn't know that was an option. Thanks guys!

paine0925 · September 2015

My doula and I talked about it and I'm refusing checks pretty much the entire way - you can even refuse them when being admitted to the hospital (even tho the labor and delivery nurse will give you push-back) - we will just politely decline!

YTuMamaTambien · September 2015

My doctor didn't do a growth scan and doesn't seem like he will do dilation checks either. IDK if it is because everything is going well and I am having a scheduled C-section or what... come to think of it they didn't check with my son either...

Mufflerlove · September 2015

At 38 w I was 1 cm, 39 w I was 4, 39.5 w I was 5 and by 40 I was 6 cm and stretchy to 8. It was super annoying knowing how dilated I was and nothing was happening! Everyone was sure labour was imminent. With my first I stayed at 1 cm until my water broke. It really just means nothing.

alyjmac · September 2015

I just went in today for my 39 week appointment and was offered to have a check and my membranes stripped. I accepted only because I was having contractions the other day and painful cramps. When I got checked I was 4cm and 80% effaced. She said if I get contractions 5-10 minutes apart and lasting for an hour to come in to L&D. Hopefully he wants to come soon but I know it's not a sure way to tell if he is.

GeorgiaDottie · September 2015

My doc doesn't check until 39

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