Cervical checks before labor?

Question

Hey everyone, I keep reading online that to have a cervical check in the drs office has no real value... should I decline even if I’m full term? This will be coming up at my 37 week appointment and I’m not sure if its out of the norm to decline prior to labor. Thank you!!!

Answer

Everyone feels differently on the subject. I personally like to know where I'm at and if my body is preparing itself for labor or not. This is my fourth baby and I usually start getting checked @ about 37 weeks. But you can certainly decline, Your body your choice!! ❤️

Answer

My doctor offers them starting at 36 weeks. I plan on denying them until at least my 39 week appointment. Dilation is a hint but some people will sit at like 3 cm for weeks and it can be really discouraging for them.

Answer

My OB offers it around 37 weeks but she doesn’t think it’s necessary so I don’t get it checked until I’m in active labor.

Answer

I’m a labor nurse and prefer to have my cervix checked to know where I’m at and also to encourage cervical ripening. When the doctor checks your cervix it can trigger a hormone release and make you crampy so your cervix can soften. It will not put you into labor unless your body is ready.

Answer

Im declining them until im 40 weeks, gonna let my body do its own thing☺️

Answer

I know a lot of women find them valuable personally because they do provide additional information and I totally respect wanting info so my comment is research based only not preference based. 
- They can only tell you how effaced and dialated you are and what station you’re at. 
- They can’t tell you when you’ll deliver. Statistically speaking those three things that they are checking for aren’t a reliable indicator of how much time you have left to go or how your contractions will progress. 
- Cervical checks cannot help your cervix dilate or progress in any other way.  (Anecdotally some people believe this but the research doesn’t support it)
- they can introduce infection 
- they can increase risk for GBS (but negligibly).
- the last 2 risks are very very low
Personally my preference is to decline them. I’m more concerned the stats will be misleading and I’ll be disappointed if things take longer.

Answer

I’m going to get them starting next week (36 weeks). I live 1.5 hours from the hospital and am already very nervous, so the more information I can have, the better.

Cervical checks before labor?

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