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Old Apr 7th, 2012, 08:42 AM   #1
natasha82
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American ladies


I keep seeing posts about ladies from the US getting sweeps/examinations/inductions at around 37/38/39 weeks?

Here in the UK they dont usually do any internal examinations at all before your due date or they are only done during labour i believe. Just wondered what the reason was for having these internal examinations at around 37 weeks and what happens during one?

Also how comes a lot of ladies from the US seem to have sweeps done before 40 weeks? Just curious why its different over there? I wouldnt have thought the cervix would be ready at 37 weeks?

I'm just curious thats all.


 
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Old Apr 7th, 2012, 08:45 AM   #2
Dk1234
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I had never heard of a sweep and don't know anyone that's ever had one. I don't think they are common. The baby is considered full term at 37 weeks though so that's probably why.


 
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Old Apr 7th, 2012, 08:49 AM   #3
megangrohl
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I'm in Canada and my doctor won't do anything until 40 weeks and that includes internals to check on progress. Her understanding is what's the point in putting me thru unneccessary discomfort to find out something that doesn't really matter. Plus when you haven't progressed at all it's such a huge disappointment. I think some doctors do it just to make the patient happy but my doctor refuses. Ah well what can you do


 
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Old Apr 7th, 2012, 08:49 AM   #4
natasha82
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A stretch and sweep is where the midwife inserts 2 fingers inside you and checks your cervix to see how long it is, how dialated you are and tries to seperate the membranes and stretch them to encourage baby on its way.

So what about examinations then, what happens at those at 37 weeks?


 
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Old Apr 7th, 2012, 08:54 AM   #5
AnnaE813
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I guess it's similar to a sweep; they really just check if there is any dilation present and if you've thinned out at all. My doctor doesn't try and stretch it though. It doesn't bother me to have it done. I like knowing what it is going on, whether there's nothing or a lot!


 
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Old Apr 7th, 2012, 08:56 AM   #6
Dk1234
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I think they just check your cervix I don't think they sweep the membranes.


 
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Old Apr 7th, 2012, 09:00 AM   #7
Iamblessed
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My docs have in the past done a stripping of the membranes starting at about 38 weeks. and here full term is considered at 37 weeks. Also if they do a internal exam they are looking for dialation and effacement and how much the baby is engaged. Its very routine here where I am. I think its kinda nice knowing what is going on in there. Also they start the internal exams at 36 weeks being as though a woman can start dialating early. Hope this helps


 
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Old Apr 7th, 2012, 09:02 AM   #8
jo14
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I think in the US they just tend to book in inductions from about 38 weeks onwards as its just a different system, same as they are quite often offered an epidural straight away, I am not saying always just in the american friends I have, non have gone over there due dates as the drs just take them in and induce, its not what I would like but its a very medicated country if you know what I mean, no offence to american ladies, i mean your systems not you LOL


 
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Old Apr 7th, 2012, 09:06 AM   #9
LisK
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I don't think there's any legit medical reason for starting the internal exams at 37 weeks but that's what my doctor does too.


 
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Old Apr 7th, 2012, 09:07 AM   #10
natasha82
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Iamblessed View Post
My docs have in the past done a stripping of the membranes starting at about 38 weeks. and here full term is considered at 37 weeks. Also if they do a internal exam they are looking for dialation and effacement and how much the baby is engaged. Its very routine here where I am. I think its kinda nice knowing what is going on in there. Also they start the internal exams at 36 weeks being as though a woman can start dialating early. Hope this helps
I understand that you are considered full term at 37 weeks but to have stripping of the membranes starting at 38 weeks wow. What's the hurry lol? I guess its just cos in the UK we have to wait the full 40 weeks before our midwives start to do anything like a sweep. Unless of course there are other complications to take into account. Our midwives feel our pelvis on the outside to see how far down the baby is, which i find quite amazing really how they can tell.


 
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