Why do OB/MW do internal exams at end of pregnancy?

[callieollie]

My SIL is 38 weeks pregnant and for the past week (maybe two?) at her appointments, she had an internal done to "check her." They told her she was 1 cm dilated. She was soooooo excited when she heard this, thinking that this meant she was going to go early. Everything I have heard is that how much or how little you are dilated is no indication of when you may actually go into labor (correct me if I'm wrong). So, why is it that some practitioners do internal exams?

[womenswisdom]

Because they do. Not meaning to be a smart-a$$, but really, that's why. In the absence of some information that might be useful (like maybe confirming position or ruling out preterm labor), it doesn't tell you anything. Doesn't tell you when labor will begin, just gets you set up to be disappointed if nothing happens.

[Astraia]

So they can make big predictions that mean a whole lot of nothing, so far as I can tell. For high-intervention OB's, I've always assumed they check so they can either A. tell you you'll go early so if you don't they can induce because you're so disappointed to STILL be pregnant or B. tell you you'll probably need to be induced because your cervix isn't doing much.

But that could just be my skepticism and distrust in dr's showing it's ugly colours.

My midwife didn't check me for my last pregnancy even though EVERYONE else I knew was checked and EVERYONE was asking me how dilated I was (as if it's their business?!?!) because she says it has absolutely no predictive value and is no indication of anything- which, from my research, is totally true.

[Astraia]

Originally Posted by womenswisdom

Because they do. Not meaning to be a smart-a$$, but really, that's why. In the absence of some information that might be useful (like maybe confirming position or ruling out preterm labor), it doesn't tell you anything. Doesn't tell you when labor will begin, just gets you set up to be disappointed if nothing happens.

And if i was in preterm labour, the last thing I'd consent to is someone poking around at my cervix. No thanks.

[jennica]

From my own experience, and from what I have observed on birth movies, reading on forums, and talking to real life women, I think OB's and midwives alike do this so they can have a chance to strip the membranes. If not at the first internal exam, then the second. I think they want to see if there has been any progress at all, and if there any dilation, then they use this as an opportunity to strip the membranes. I would expect this impatience from OB's, but it also seems to be a favorite intervention of midwives. Why they do it I don't know, but I think they are looking for this opportunity.

[ThisLove]

My OB offers internals starting at 36 weeks, but doesn't MAKE his patients have them that I know of. It was always my choice (the nurse would ask after weighing, peeing in a cup and BP). I always opted out of them ... No need to be poking around, TYVM!

[callieollie]

So, the general consensus is that there is no real reason, which is kind of what I thought. But I'm so curious what an ob would say as to why they are doing it. Do they have reasons in their head for doing it that they really feel or valid or is just something that's always been done (maybe there was a time where people thought it was predictive of labor?) and haven't bothered to change it?

[Belle]

Originally Posted by callieollie

So, the general consensus is that there is no real reason, which is kind of what I thought. But I'm so curious what an ob would say as to why they are doing it. Do they have reasons in their head for doing it that they really feel or valid or is just something that's always been done (maybe there was a time where people thought it was predictive of labor?) and haven't bothered to change it?

I guess they could get a bishop's score to see if their scheduled induction would be effective. My OB for dd1 was all gung-ho about scheduling my baby's birth around his vacation. He told me that because I was already dilated all he would need to do was break my water. He said "pitocin's not that bad anyway" I was pretty skeptical when he outright lied to me like that. I passed on the induction and thankfully she was born when he was out of town.

I only had one internal my whole pregnancy with Dd2 and it was about a half hour before she was born.

[mamatolevi]

Originally Posted by callieollie

Why do OB/MW do internal exams at end of pregnancy?

Because her panties are off.

[JennTheMomma]

For no real reason. I think its because it was tought to them at school and they just keep going with it. My OB offered them but wasn't mandatory, my Midwife is the same. She only does them if you want them to be, otherwise she doesn't.

[tireesix]

My cousin is in italy and not only had to put up with frequent exams but also vaginal and rectal swabs as well.

Nice, ugh.