No cervical checks at 38 weeks

Amber • Joyful mother of Chandler Beckett, born April 17, 2016! 💙👶🏼🍼
Has anyone else had. Doctor be like that? My doctor said it could possibly stress the baby, so as long as I'm not having any symptoms of labor they don't need to check. I've had BH for about a month and began "real" contractions according to my doctor at the end of last week.
Of course I'm fine without it, I'd rather be in labor battle mode and ready to deliver than having a fist shoved up me with spotting afterward, but everyone keeps askin me if I'm effaced or dilated and I have no idea!
So my questions are: anyone else like this?? And what is the actual point of the cervical checks anyhow?