When did your doctor/midwife first start checking you for dilation?

Tina
My mom and cousin are freaking out because I'm 38 weeks and my doctor has not checked if I'm dilating yet. At my appointment yesterday, I asked when she'd start checking and she said since this is my first pregnancy, she won't start checking until I start feeling contractions (which I haven't yet). Does this sound about right with the rest of you? I felt fine and was not worried about a thing until my mom and cousin started asking all these questions.