Dilation and effacement

[Anonymous]

I am currently 35 weeks. At what point will the OB start checing to see if I am dilated or effaced? I have my next appt at 36 w, 2 d.

Just chekcing b/c my husband is going to Vegas for work for 4 days next week - not that I really think I am going to go into labor this early, but it would be nice to know if I have even started dilating yet.

TIA!

[Anonymous]

I have found that each dr is different.

2 years ago, I was checked by every dr I saw for the last 4 weeks of my pregnancy.
This time around (with the same practice) they are only doing it if you ask (which I did).


I believe 1 of the reasons there is a change in protocol is that there is little evidence that it is an indicator as to when you will go into labor.
I was 3 cm at 36 weeks and did not deliver until after my due date.

What knowing how dialated I was did for me was that as soon as I started feeling contractions, I headed to the hospital.

[Anonymous]

At my practice they won't start until 37 weeks, and only then if you request it. PP is right - dialation and effacement prior to labor have no bearing on when you will begin actual labor, unfortunately.

Believe me, I feel your pain...I am 39w2d as I sit here typing this...

[Anonymous]

I've had weekly internals since 34w6d. They figured they'd start when I had to do my 35 week tests (GBS, etc). I'm currently at 37w2d and have made zero progress. I take that back - I'm 50% effaced but that's it.

It all truly depends on the practice. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I had to beg for an internal at almost 38 weeks. As a PP said, cervical dilation/effacement are not good indicators of impending labor. You could go from no progress to full labor in a few hours, or you could also walk around for weeks 2-3-4 cm dilated.

Good luck and have an easy delivery!

[Anonymous]

With my first child, Reiter and Hill did one everytime for me from 35 weeks on, even though it was pretty painful for me. I was never dialated, and I asked them to stop but they insisted.
I then went on to have my kid a few days after my due date.

I've since read that it can increase the risk of infection, so I don't know why they do it every time.

With my 2nd at Arlington Women's Center, they only did one recently for me at 39 weeks because I had been having contractions. They asked me if I wanted one and then did it.

It isn't a reliable indicator of much because you can change really fast, but I wanted to know and it turned out I was a few cm dialated. Nice to know these contractions that weren't going anywhere fast are actually doing someting though!

[Anonymous]

I'm a unique case - I'm on cervical monitoring for reasons i won't go into - but as a result, I've had an internal every two weeks since 16. Now at 34. I'm actually a little jealous of those of you who had to ask. Although on the plus side, I do feel lucky to have had lots of positive reinforcement during my first pregnancy. Hearing, "everything looks good, see you next time" every two weeks has been very comforting! I am also confident that any inhibitions I had about being exposed during labor are pretty well shot. I might let the janitor do an exam at this point.