US doctor question?

[paintrider89]

For those in the US, do your doctor's check for cervical dialation? If so when and did you have to ask for it? Because at this point I have yet to be checked, and I see all these posts where people know how dialated, if cervix is even soft exc. I am thinking about scheduling my induction next week, but I want to know if my body is even slightly ready or getting ready, as I see no point in scheduling and having them bot even try because cervix isn't even close to ready...any advice would be Mich appreciated!

 

[fdcsw126]

Mine does it at 38 weeks if we want it

 

[Melly Belly]

Mine does weekly stating at 37 weeks (so i keep telling myself thats only 4 times i have to deal with it ) i know that i can refuse, of course, because the dilation and effacement gives them some idea of when you might deliver, but its not really accurate...im getting them because i need to make sure baby *stays* head down, instead of being uncooperative and turning back breech and making me have a csection... ive been having cramping mildly on and off the past few days, when i get up from sitting for a little while it is difficult to get myself moving (taking steps feels weird and sore), but so far only an occasional breath taking twinge, and not consistent at all, so i think she is deciding to hang on in there for the next few days at least..i just wish she would take more naps, preferably when im sleeping/trying to sleep

 

[Dani_87]

I started getting checked at 36w only because they needed to do a BV test at that time, so I requested to get checked. At the office I go to, they technically start checking at 37w. I'm sure it all depends on where you go, and I mean, it's nice to know where you are at, but it stinks that it still is no way to tell when you are having the baby.

 

[proudparent88]

Mine starts at 36 weeks every doctor is different.

 

[paintrider89]

I wonder if my doctor even intends to do one. I think I will have to request one this week...

 

[ItsAWonder]

Mine starts at 36 weeks but I may refuse until 38 weeks. I don't find they are necessary until you want to know. Either way, you can request a check anytime you want one.

 

[pooch]

I think mine was late, too, like 38 weeks. I actually had my appointment at 39 weeks and some days, was checked and told that i was not dilated at all and no signs of impending labor and that night my water broke. So don't lose hope if you are told no thinning or dilation!

 

[dairymomma]

With my first, they didn't check me until I was in labor but I went at 37+1 and my next appt would have been in 2 days. The dr said she probably would have started checking me then but I beat her to the punch. With my daughter, she checked me around 36 weeks after she did the BV test 'just to see' as she put it. I was barely a 1cm, hardly effaced and DD wasn't engaged whatsoever so I didn't see the point of it. Really didn't see the point of it when the dr said at my appt the next week, "I'm not going to check you because I don't want to stir the pot." I was like, huh? You checked me 9 days ago and thought it was okay but you don't now? :shrugs: Didn't matter in the end because I went into labor 2 days later at 37+3. I'm seeing a new doctor this time so I don't know when he'll start checking me but being as I've had 2 kids at 37 weeks, I'm guessing he'll at least take a look around 36/37 weeks. Don't think it'll show much though as I don't dilate at all until I'm in actual labor.

 

[Enasni453]

It seems to depend on the doctor, some might start routine checks at 34 weeks, while others might prefer not to check you at all. My doctor asked me if I wanted to be checked at 36w and 37w, but I declined both times. At 38w, my doctor was out of town so I was seen by a nurse practitioner, who mentioned that she wouldn't check me because she didn't want to "stir anything up" while the doctor was out of town. I didn't realize it was possible for a cervix check to "stir things up" and now I'm not sure if I want to get checked at my 39w appointment. If I could choose, I'd rather not go into labour yet.

 

[Claudia83]

A cervix check can sometimes end up in an accidental "swiping of membranes" which COULD start up labor. I know a friend of mine always has a 'sweep' at around 38 weeks and ends up in labor 4-5 days later. Some women swear by it, others say they have multiple sweeps with no luck.
I was checked once at 37 weeks with my DS#1 and I refused at 38 and 39 weeks because it was just awful! I was crampy all day, lost some of my mucus plug but just felt so hurt down there LOL
I'd also say induction isn't always best even if you are favorable. I was induced at 40+3 because my BP was high, and they thought because I was 2.5cm dilated and 70% effaced that I would be an optimal candidate, but I just ended up in a c-section 26 hours later from failure to progress. So listen to your body if you can

 

[paintrider89]

Thanks for that info. I am definitely going to ask, and maybe even see if they will do a sweep. I'm quite fed up with being pregnant at this point, and deffinitly don't want to go overdue to much and end up with an induction anyway.

 

[Beauty2]

I think mine started around 36 weeks because I was already 2.5 cm when they checked. I ended up having my son at 37 weeks due to some other issues, which I was induced for.

 

[mamaduke]

With DS1, other than the Group B Strep (GBS) screening, there weren't any internal checks in third tri until I was in labor, when I was already halfway dilated when I got to the hospital. My weeklies were "How are you feeling? Any questions?" but no internal checks.

I go for my GBS screening on Thursday (36w+1), so we'll see if she is going to do any other internal checks while down there. Seeing as I've been having other health issues, she may do more checks.

 

[ltrip84]

I was just checked for the first time last week at 35w2d after she did the strep b swab. I actually found the swab more uncomfortable than the cervical check. It just felt like she really had to reach up there!

 

[lindsinc]

Mine checked me at 35 weeks and will check every week from here on out yuck. I like knowing if I've dilated any but I hate getting checked.

 

[flowergirl7]

I had an appointment today and asked when they will start checking my cervix. They start at 36 weeks. It's when I start going weekly.

 

[paintrider89]

My Dr had me do my swab myself? He is pretty hands off which I like, but I am itching to know if there is anything going on in there. IYKWIM?

 

[birdlee337]

Mine has been checked every visit. But its cause I have a severe irritable uterus and have had so many Braxton hicks. Otherwise I have no idea what the protocol is.

 

[julesmw]

They start at 36 weeks here and check every week until delivery.