Starting from 37 weeks, cervical exam is more like a routine checkup or only when you have bad contractions? (Regards to your hospital, doctor or midwife policy)

Question

I haven’t had any cervical exam to check the efficacy or dilation yet and I’m 37w4d. Going back for 38w checkup and not being scheduled for it even then. My doctor didn’t talk about it getting done or if it’s important to know the details, so I’m wondering how all the other ladies know about their cervix so much 🤔 ... I know this information is useless if I don’t actually get contractions or signs of baby coming but I have on/off mild contractions and extreme pressure on the pelvis area with constant Braxton-Hicks and sometimes ligament pain. Should I just ask to get it done next appointment or wait until true contractions?

Answer

I'm having my first check at my next appointment at 37 weeks 5 days (next Tuesday). My dr said he is doing one then along with the gbs swab but I'm not sure how often they do them normally.

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I mean every doctor is different. But by 30 something weeks my appointment were every 2 weeks, then by 37 weeks it was going to start every week and they did a cervical check then, and were going to every time I believe. I didn’t make it to the next doctors appointment though lol.

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I had my first today at 36 weeks. I'm not dialated but I am 30% effaced.

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You sound like you may be in the UK? In which case, cervical examinations aren't routine until you are in labour and experiencing regular contractions. Knowing how effaced/dilated you are doesn't indicate much about labour and risks infection.

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Mine said they only do it if you ask. It really doesn’t mean too much until you go into labor. My sister sat at 5cm for 3 weeks before going in to labor at 38weeks. She said it was so stressful because she just sat around waiting for something to happen and it was the worst 3 weeks of the pregnancy

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I’d wait. You risk infection. Speaking for experience:(

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I think it depends on clinic also. Mine didn't say tehy do it at all. But don't know yer. Just 30 weeks and had an appointment in person over a while, so I asked my doc, what can I wait for, so she explained me a lot about next appointments. None of them included routine cervical exams.

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Mine didn't do one until 38 weeks, and she only wanted to check because I wasn't feeling any kind of contractions, discomfort, etc. And we had to schedule an induction at some point (this Saturday, if i don't pop before then!)

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The doctor did one at 35 and 36 weeks to feel for baby’s head.  He’ll ask if I want one every appointment now but it’s not required.

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My midwives don't do them at all and joke that sometimes they don't check women at all  even when in labor. This helps keep the risk of infection and morale deflation down.

Starting from 37 weeks, cervical exam is more like a routine checkup or only when you have bad contractions? (Regards to your hospital, doctor or midwife policy)

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