Odd question... Input from others

[Jencocoa]

I went to my 36 week appointment today. My cervix is still high and thick and I am not dilated at all. To me, this is fine and normal. I did not dilate at all with my other two babies either Ontell I went into labor and then I went from 0 to 10 rather quickly. My midwife seems to really want me to start dilating and I do not understand why. She wants me to take the evening Primrose oil and put it inside me in addition to taking it Oralee along with the red raspberry leaf tea. I am not even do for four weeks so I do not understand the necessity. Anyhow, here is my main question. When she checked me to see if I was dilated it seemed longer and rougher than normal. I had just been checked Friday in the hospital and it didn't feel like that. She told me to expect possible bleeding, which they also did not say Friday at the hospital after their same exam. I am now crampy and having pain in my vagina. It makes me wonder if she tried to like open my cervix a little or something. Am I just being crazy or paranoid?
Sent from my iPhone

 

[Erised]

There is absolutely no need to try and dilate earlier than when your body is ready, especially not at 36 weeks! How very odd, your midwife sounds awfully pushy =/

As for the internal, it's quite common to bleed or spot after one. That said with how rough she seemingly was, I wonder if she may have given you a sweep rather than just an internal? Spotting and cramping is common even after an internal though, so try not to let it worry you too much =)

That said, if she did give you a sweep then it *could* be the start of labour. Just keep an eye on it for the next few hours.

 

[FarmersWife5]

I was checked at 37 weeks and wasn't dilated and thinned 50% my Ob said she couldn't do a sweep if you are not dilated... So to me I doubt she did a sweep since you are not dilated..

 

[Melly Belly]

I had my cervix checked today at my appointment to see if baby is still breech or if she has done the flip..because it will determine if i have to have a csec or prepare myself for actual labor..and my ob said that i would definitely have some spotting afterwards...its very minimal, some brownish pinkish bits on the tp after using the restroom, but if she hadnt let me know i would have freaked out! (on a side note, theyre not sure if baby is head down or not...but we are still high and thick, so not expecting labor to start tomorrow or anything )

 

[Jencocoa]

It's kinda freaky that I don't know what she or anyone could be doing in there ya know. Better not have been a sweep!

 

[HunnyBuns]

I had my exam today also at 37 weeks but i missed my 36..my weeks got a lil off so basically my 36 week appt...they did that strep B test today that was uncomfy maybe thats what they did and didnt tell you? I am also not dilated any and my doctor said thats just fine and dandy that the less i have to feel the better cause im scheduled for C-Section in 2 weeks! I wouldnt worry too much over not being dilated some women just dont dilate like others!!

 

[Brieanna]

That is odd that she would want you to start dilating. Is there a medical reason she wants you to go into earlier labor? If not, she of all people should know that dilation doesn't mean that much! I have read about TONS of people who were not dilated and then went into labor that night or of being dilated for weeks and nothing!

Maybe she did a sweep but again that would be odd to do one without telling you (although I have read about that happening to someone on this site who asked her doctor to do one when she was 40 weeks and her doctor told her she had already been doing them!).

It could have just been an internal check, I know I spot or cramp after them usually but I have never had a sweep (that I know of, lol) so I can't comment on that.

If you don't feel comfortable taking anything, like epo, then don't. Most people I know (especially irl) don't even know what epo or rrlt is and they have managed to all have babies just fine, lol.

 

[freddie]

She has no reason to be expecting to see any dilation at this point. If she is pushy like that I'd refuse any further internal exams! They're not routine here in the uk, the only time they do it is when you're in labour to decide whether you're far enough along to be admitted (think you have to at least 3cm).

I'm not planning to take anything like epo or rlt etc... Trust your body it was made to do this and knows when it is the right time!

 

[Buggzxxx]

I'd think it would be extremely unethical to do anything at all without first getting your verbal consent. That and the fact you are not dilated would make me think she didnt give you a sweep.

Some nurses and midwives are just rough! For example sometimes when I have bloods taken the nurse will bruise the hell out of my arm but other nurses will leave no mark at all x