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Internal exams?
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Anonymous
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When did your OB start doing regular internal exams late in pregnancy?
I have the same OB as I did with my first child and I remember getting them fairly regularly starting at 36 weeks or so although this time around he didn't do one at 36 or 37 weeks. No biggie, not that I really want one LOL but just trying to figure out if anything is progressing.... |
Anonymous
| I started getting them at 34 weeks, but I delivered at 36 weeks the first time. At Foxhall OBGYN it is standard procedure from 36 weeks. |
Anonymous
| starting at 36 weeks. |
Anonymous
| I declined all mine...they wanted to start doing them at 36 weeks. |
Anonymous
Who is your OB, and what did s/he say? (if I may ask -- I'm looking for an OB who is more relaxed). |
Anonymous
| I'll be 39 weeks on Sunday and so far haven't had a cervical check...nor would I even allow one. I am planning to allow my first check when I arrive at the hospital in labor. |
Anonymous
...and your doc. was ok with that? what happens if you go over 40 weeks? Wouldn't you be curious to see how you're progressing (or lack of)? |
Anonymous
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I was actually glad to get checked because at 38 weeks I was 5 cm dilated (and felt fine so I had no idea I was so far along). It really put a reality check in for me and made me take care of all the last minute preparations.
With this information, I could gauge that in the next few days I needed to tie up loose ends at work, give a heads-up to the dog sitter, clean the house one last time, and re-check the hospital bag, etc...and sure enough 3 days later I was admitted. |
Anonymous
Not the PP, but cervical dilation is not a very good predictor of impending labor. You can walk around 3-4 cm dilated for weeks, or you can go from 1 to 5 in about an hour and a half during labor (I did, albeit with the help of pitocin). The only time I think it would be helpful is if you were considering induction - lower chances of a c-section with a favorable cervix, esp. for FTMs. |
Anonymous
My OB was Dr. Meinig, who has since up and moved out of state. There are other OBs in his practice who are also respectful and might have allowed me to decline internals, but I took the opportunity of Dr. Meinig's departure to switch to a midwives practice. The MWs were totally fine with not doing internals. |
Anonymous
| PP 21:57 here: clarifying that I saw Dr. Meinig and partners for my entire first pregnancy. Dr. Meinig delivered my DS1 and never pressed me to have the internals when I declined them. In the middle of my second pregnancy, he moved out of state, which is when I decided to go to the MW practice. |
Anonymous
Did you allow the swab for Group Strep B? Why didn't you allow checks? I'm just curious. |
Anonymous
| Not the PP, but depending on the doctor, an internal exam can be uncomfortable. In addition, some people think it can prematurely start labor. With my 1st two pregnancies, I did fine with the exams from my primary OB. But in each case I had to see her partner towards the end and in both cases I went into labor a couple of days after his uncomfortable internal examine. Could just be coincidence . . . |
Anonymous
Yes, I allowed the GBS. I'm not allowing exams because the results of them won't tell me anything. I could be 3cm at 36 weeks but still not go into labor for 4 more weeks. When I was pregnant with my son I was always 0cm, high, closed and it was too discouraging. My water ended up breaking 8 hours after one appointment. This pregnancy I'd rather just think that I'm 3cm when I go into labor instead of knowing I'm 0cm. Plus, why experience the discomfort when it will do me no good? I also have switched care providers for this pregnancy - I'm currently with Dr. Tchabo and its great - he hasn't even asked me if I want to be checked (and if he did, I wouldn't allow it). |
Anonymous
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I had the GBS swab.
I declined internals because as 21:01 said, cervical dilation is not a very good predictor of impending labor. |