Dilated

yitazbah11 · July 2016

Why wont my doctor check if Im dilated or not im on 39 weeks with 6 days left till my due date and she says it's still "to early" to check???

sboston06 · July 2016

Not all doctors check dilation even at the end of pregnancy. It really doesn't give them any extra information as you can be completely closed one minute and then your water can break as you get into your car to leave. Every doctor is different and their use of this practice is likely rooted in their years of experience.

WVUPetunia · July 2016

Ask her why she doesn't want to? Probably a better bet than us guessing...

whataboutscience · July 2016

@WVUPetunia Sounds like he may have answered by saying it's too early. I recently had a question for my doctor and no matter how I worded it, I kept getting the same vague non-answer. I don't know if he just didn't have more information and was just doing what he always has done or what. Next appt. I saw a different doctor and she had no clue why he ordered the tests he did either.

Of course, a cervical check often doesn't tell you much unless your bag of water is visually bulging. I just shared in the randoms that my mom asked me if baby looks like it will be on time. What the heck does that mean? I've heard of women being dilated to 4 cm for weeks before delivering.

rnyland1 · July 2016

yitazbah11 my doc says they aren't really necessary either and only does them by request, like if you are feeling a lot of pressure or something, or just really curious I guess.

megstervt · July 2016

Did you ask for more clarification after being given the reason why ("too early")? Perhaps wording like, "I know some other doctors check sooner, what type of research and clinical judgment makes you want to wait?" or "at what point do you start checking?" or "I understand you think it's too early, but this is information I would like to have. What are the risks and benefits of doing a cervical exam at this point in order for me to get that info?"

mrsmommya · July 2016

If you are a ftm and go past 40w a cervical check can decide when or if induction is favorable...I didn't dilate at all till the day before I had my DD at 41w. A stm I think it is again completely useless unless you begin talking induction and want to see if the cervix is favorable. My doc is only inducing before 41w because I am dilated and have had a vaginal birth, otherwise I would be going to 41 again. Just out right and request one if you want it.

WVUPetunia · July 2016

whataboutscience said:

@WVUPetunia Sounds like he may have answered by saying it's too early. I recently had a question for my doctor and no matter how I worded it, I kept getting the same vague non-answer. I don't know if he just didn't have more information and was just doing what he always has done or what. Next appt. I saw a different doctor and she had no clue why he ordered the tests he did either.

Yikes, that would drive me nuts!

Nikko Blue · July 2016

My office doesn't do them. This is the first week it was even brought up (40 weeks) but I declined because it's not really necessary. I'll do it if I make it to 41 weeks.

Dilated

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