Did your Dr. check you?

Question

I'm 36 weeks an was told Friday they would do a cervix check. My old Dr. who moved away or I'd still be going to him never checked me. There was no need I thought an assumed he thought the same, I never asked was just happy to skip that part of uncomfortableness. anyway so they say their gonna check me Friday. has anyone refused to be checked like I'd really rather not. the only thing different with this baby than the others is I have GD. I'm just uncomfortable doing it when I never had to with the others.

Answer

Such early cervical checks are not done where I’m from. I can’t believe it seems to be standard practice in the US. My first cervical check was at my 40 week appointment. I don’t understand the point of it before then. You could be nothing one day and 10cm the next. You could be 3cm for weeks. So why bother?

Answer

My OB wont start checks until the very end, about 39 weeks because she said it isnt necessary. You can be stuck at 1cm or 2cm dilation for weeks and knowing can just stress out patients.
But i will be getting the group b strep test next week at 36 weeks.
Tell them you’d like to wait until the cervix checks are absolutely necessary.

Answer

I was checked at 35 and I’m glad she did because I’m already 1cm so now she will continue to check weekly... my first two came at 37weeks and my third at 38....it’s just a precaution to make sure your cervix isn’t opening too fast or early

Answer

Unless there’s an indication that you’re going into labor early (bloody show, mucous plug, regular painful contractions), there is NO scientifically-supported reason to have cervical exams at the end of pregnancy. There’s actually some evidence that it increases your risk of infection and increases your risk of your water breaking before labor starts (which increases the risk you’ll need to be induced and in turn increases your risk of C-section). You can be 3-4 centimeters for weeks, or you can be closed and then have a baby within a few hours, your cervix is not a crystal ball.  You can ALWAYS decline an intervention, regardless of their reasons or your reasons - it’s YOUR body and YOUR baby.  If you’re interested in the research, evidencebasedbirth.com has some great information about ‘routine’ interventions that are or aren’t supported by the science. My midwife doesn’t do cervical exams until active labor, but with my first I was offered cervical exams starting at 37 weeks, and I just said ‘no thank you’.

Answer

I was 1 cm at 27 weeks. Then went unchecked until my 36th. I had also switched offices at 32. Just on Monday I was 3 cm. Went in yesterday to the hospital with horrible pain. I was at a 4. But at my office the doctor asked me at 36 weeks if I wanted to be checked. I don’t know if your office will give you the option or not. They check me every appointment but I do wonder if I said no the first time if they’d not check me at my appointments

Answer

I am considered preterm labor, so ever since 32 weeks I’ve been checked weekly! It’s not painful just uncomfortable but it’s good to know if your dilated or not.

Answer

with my first born I was checked every week starting at 36. im pregnant with my second and my doctor told me she too plans on checking every week. it must be a normal routine considering anything can happen but im sure if you ask not to they would respect it.

Answer

My doctor just checked me at 36 weeks for something 1-3 women have. Not sure exactly what but he said it's his routine with every mom. Past that it should just be if you want one to see if you're progressing any

Answer

I was checked at my 36 week appt. it was definitely uncomfortable but everyone I know whose had babies all have had internals starting at 36 weeks

Did your Dr. check you?

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