Had my 38 week appointment today. I haven’t had my cervix checked?

Question

I am 38 weeks. My doctor has not checked my cervix and has not given me any of my numbers (effacement/ station). He just says “baby is low, he’s growing perfectly, head down, and heartbeat is good.” See you next week! I know that this is a good thing, that my appointments are going smoothly but at this point 38 weeks, shouldn’t I have at least had my cervix checked?

Answer

Not necessarily. Unless you seem like your in active labor or heading that way, some doctors won't check you. It can agitate your cervix and Jumpstart labor. Happened to me.

Answer

Most offices won’t do them unless you ask. Mine starts at 38 weeks and even then before the doc comes in they ask if I wanted to even be checked. With my second I had contractions at 32 weeks. I was 1cm and 50%. At 38 weeks I was only 2cm and 60% effaced. At 39 weeks my OB said he was stripping my membranes and at that point I was 3cm and 70% effaced. I went into labor the next day. So I sat at 1cm for weeks. Some women could go from 0-10 in a matter of hours or days.

Answer

Cervix checks don’t tell you anything about when baby might be coming. You can be slightly dilated for weeks or not be dilated at all and go into labor the next day. So why not spare yourself the discomfort and possible infection?

Answer

Mine only checked me a day before my due date... which was yesterday and there is absolutely no sign of my baby boy 😭😂