Am I the only one who's doc doesn't even check?? I kind of prefer it that way because the numbers really don't mean much and I would just start playing mind games with myself if I knew numbers.
I thought I would ask not to be checked, but I was super curious, so I had my 36-week check done. My doctor says she won't check at 37 weeks because she doesn't want to "poke around up there and induce labor just yet" - her words
They will do them weekly after that unless the patient requests not to.
Side question for those of you who have had checks done: I know it's typical to bleed some after a cervical check; my doc told me this. I'm still spotting a bit today. My check was yesterday morning. If you bled/spotted after, how long did it last?
Yes- I had some bleeding (almost like a light period) for about 3 days after I was checked. By the end it was just spotting and brown, not red. I guess that is supposedly totally normal. By the 4th day I had no spotting or anything.
@LydiaPick that's reassuring to hear! I haven't been terribly worried, but I have been wondering. About 36 hours later, and it's just very, very light brown spotting.
Lol first time mom too! These are real (per my doctor). The Braxton hicks don't really hurt, my belly just gets tight and I'm uncomfortable. The real ones I've been having are few and far between and hurt soooo bad. Think awful period cramps. I can't walk when I have them and I feel immense pressure in my pelvis. They've been lasting about 3 1/2 minutes. The closest I've had them together is about an hour apart.
I had my 38 week appointment today. 4.5-5 cm dilated, 70% effaced and baby is super low. The doctor said I have super bulging waters. BUT -no contractions..,I am not even sure I have had much in terms of BH. She said if my water breaks, I will likely go quickly...she said if my water breaks AND I have contractions to run (don't walk) to the hospital to ensure I make it in time. Yikes!!
FTM, had my 36w appointment today and am 1cm. I haven't noticed any BH the whole pregnancy that I'm aware of, but the last week or so have had some mild period-like cramps (no pattern to them). Apparently I'm having some real contractions though according to my NST from yesterday, although I'm not really noticing them either...
One thing that I've noticed about cervical checks is that they hurt if there have been no cervical changes. Today, at 35w1d, I was a "fingertip" dilated & 80% effaced & the check wasn't really uncomfortable. I about came off the table when I was previously checked with no dilation or effacement.
DH & I married 12/17/2012
Me (31)-dx w/PCOS 2007, when married to ex-husband after MC
10/2014-benched due to RE out of town, tying naturally!
11/2014-benched due to cyst
12/2014-Femara 5mg + stair step with additional 5 days Femara 5mg + trigger + IUI=BFN
01/2015-Femara 5mg + Gonal F 25 units + trigger (plus additional Gonal F 100 units on trigger night) + IUI= BFP!!! Twins due 10/2015 09/28/2015- Surprise! Conrad and Hudson born at 35w6d!
One thing that I've noticed about cervical checks is that they hurt if there have been no cervical changes. Today, at 35w1d, I was a "fingertip" dilated & 80% effaced & the check wasn't really uncomfortable. I about came off the table when I was previously checked with no dilation or effacement.
Really? I'm not dilated or effaced yet at 39 weeks and my checks have never hurted. I guess I never thought of it that way though. I figure once it opens, then that will hurt during the checks lol
One thing that I've noticed about cervical checks is that they hurt if there have been no cervical changes. Today, at 35w1d, I was a "fingertip" dilated & 80% effaced & the check wasn't really uncomfortable. I about came off the table when I was previously checked with no dilation or effacement.
@blsav23, I've had a similar experience. I never thought about it in my first pregnancy, but this time around I noticed it. I wonder if that's common or related to something specific.
10/2014-benched due to RE out of town, tying naturally!
11/2014-benched due to cyst
12/2014-Femara 5mg + stair step with additional 5 days Femara 5mg + trigger + IUI=BFN
01/2015-Femara 5mg + Gonal F 25 units + trigger (plus additional Gonal F 100 units on trigger night) + IUI= BFP!!! Twins due 10/2015 09/28/2015- Surprise! Conrad and Hudson born at 35w6d!
One thing that I've noticed about cervical checks is that they hurt if there have been no cervical changes. Today, at 35w1d, I was a "fingertip" dilated & 80% effaced & the check wasn't really uncomfortable. I about came off the table when I was previously checked with no dilation or effacement.
I had my first today at 36w, was "maybe" 1cm and I thought my body was going to rip open!!
37 and 4, still closed but now 50% effaced. I have to say that the checks never hurt me... But I also never hard much tricks with Pap smears or anything like that. I wonder how labor will go... We are getting so close!
I'm currently 3cm and 100% effaced. I was checked at 3cm, 60% effaced last week by my dr, and twice in the hospital two days ago by the nurse when I thought I was really going into labor (3cm and "very thin"...didn't get a number effaced). I never progressed from that and contractions got less so I was sent home. Anyway, each time I've had my cervix checked it has hurt A LOT. Nothing at all like a regular pap. Holy crap, I've never felt so much pain up there...but I'm a FTM haha so...I think I'm in for some trouble when I finally do go into real labor :-O
The checks haven't hurt me and I am usually super sensitive so maybe my dr is just gentle. 37w 1d 75% thinned not dilated but dr said she is really low she could feel her head ! Station -1 ! Hopefully that means she is coming soon
One thing that I've noticed about cervical checks is that they hurt if there have been no cervical changes. Today, at 35w1d, I was a "fingertip" dilated & 80% effaced & the check wasn't really uncomfortable. I about came off the table when I was previously checked with no dilation or effacement.
I've found this to be my experience as well. The first 2 times I was checked with no progress, I'm pretty sure I left claw marks in the table. Yesterday when she checked I was 50% effaced and noticed a LOT less discomfort. My midwife is very gentle overall so I don't think that was a factor in my case.
I go for my 38 week appointment tomorrow. FTM here.... Doctor says that typically inductions aren't done prior to the 39th or 40th week unless there's some underlying concern. She says I'm "softening"... But no dialation. I'm so ready at this point! Lol
I've heard the checks hurt if baby is not low yet. My friend said it was awful so I was prepared for the worst (I can barely handle a pap), but then it was easy and painless (just slightly uncomfortable). No dilation but he said baby was very low, and he seemed really surprised. (I'm only 34 weeks).
I was 38 weeks at yesterday's appointment. I am only 1 cm but 80% effaced compared to 1 cm and 50% last week. I've had a ton of cramping and back pain with intermittent contractions for several days. Doc doesn't think I'll make it to next weeks appointment but concedes that it's all a guessing game at this point! My checks (3) have been slightly uncomfortable but nothing that I would associate with being painful. I just can't wait to meet this little girl! Good luck all!
my doctor doesn't talk about effacement at our appointments just the station and dilation. I am 2cm dilated and baby is down and engaged at +1 station at 36+1 weeks
37 weeks today, was 1 cm and soft but high at yesterday's appointment. Not sure what that means but hopeful that it's all good and we move along fast. Ready to be done.
I used to post more earlier in the year and I still chime in on natural birth posts so #semilurker here lol... ANYWAY! I'm so excited because I had my 38wk appointment today and I'm 1cm and 50% effaced!! Two weeks ago my cervix was very high, long, and closed. And I was induced with DD#1 so I've never gone into labor naturally. I'm just too excited that my body has done something :x <:-P
I will be 38 weeks tomorrow and was checked today.... Nothing! I was nothing! It is what it is, but the longest week ever is ahead of me with work and being induced next friday due to GD and being on Glyburide. Even though it sucks I better get all my cuddles with my DD1 in now!
I've dealt with preterm labor issues a couple times with hospitalization this pregnancy, so I had some early dilation, but not much in the recent weeks. 37w2d today and 2 cm, 80% effaced, and baby boy is low (no station quoted). I was actually at 2cm and 80% effaced at my 37-week appointment with DD, too, and went into labor at 38w4d with her. It will be interesting to see if this little guy follows suit or writes his own timeline!
Re: Dilation, Effacement, and Station
Yes- I had some bleeding (almost like a light period) for about 3 days after I was checked. By the end it was just spotting and brown, not red. I guess that is supposedly totally normal. By the 4th day I had no spotting or anything.
Preg #1 - PTL @ 23.5 weeks - angel in heaven (Addison Margaret)
09/28/2015- Surprise! Conrad and Hudson born at 35w6d!
09/28/2015- Surprise! Conrad and Hudson born at 35w6d!
Preg #1 - PTL @ 23.5 weeks - angel in heaven (Addison Margaret)