anyone not get cervix checks?

[Valerieg]

I've refused cervical checks with my other two children. They just wouldn't have told me anything anyway. I'm wondering if anyone has done that with twins?

I'm past 34 weeks now, still very few contractions, and if I thought I was going into labor I might need to agree (it's still sooooooo early). But if I'm not having contractions really, and feeling fine, is there any reason I need a cervical check?

I just want to educate myself before my OB asks if I'd like to be checked. If there's a good reason to get one, I will. But it doesn't seem like it'd be different than any other pregnancy once I get closer to the end.

[Red Pajama]

I don't think I had any, but there may have been one. It's hard for me to remember. They make me uncomfortable, so I think I'd remember if I'd consented to an internal exam. I was monitored quite a bit in other ways, though.

[joyfulgrrrl]

My SIL is losing her twins as I type this. She dilated to 3 cm without knowing it and there was no going back. I would agree to checks at this point, based on this experience.

[MamaChicken]

My OB didn't want to do manual checks very often (I can only remember 2 times during the pregnancy). But I did have quite a few U/S and they would measure it everytime with the U/S.

I would consent to one early on, to determine what you are normally at. If there were ANY signs of PTL, unusually pressure, etc I would consent to a check at that point as well. I don't personally have a big issue getting checks, so I just went with the OB's preference on it.

[Intertwined]

I chose not to get checked. I started to have contractions at 33 weeks but they weren't laborish so I decided against checks since it cannot really tell you much. I did, however, get checked during one bout of really intense prodromal labor at 37 weeks and then again when we were trying to figure out Baby A's position (MW was feeling her through my cervix) at 38 weeks 3 days. I gave birth at 38 weeks 5 days. I was only 1cm at the 37 week check and 3cm two days before birth.

[Julia'sMom]

I was only checked once, around 20 weeks when I was showign signs that might have been ptl. They didn't even offer to check near the end, as it really didn't mean much. I carried to 37w5d.

[~bookcase~]

I had 32 weekers and no checks (they don't do it routinely in the UK) but I would still probably refuse them with a next pregnancy. I don't think they are useful unless you are trying to stop active labour (edit: like, if you go with suspected labour to confirm things are progressing...)

Many women are well dilated for some time before birth anyway so picking up cervical changes routinely could just lead to more intervention when it might not have been necessary.

[mumm]

Originally Posted by joyfulgrrrl

My SIL is losing her twins as I type this. She dilated to 3 cm without knowing it and there was no going back. I would agree to checks at this point, based on this experience.

So sorry.


I don't believe I had any during the pregnancy but I did have a few u/s (I think they can tell something from that?). I had many while being induced (which failed) and then a couple during the real labor.

[Zevy]

Without checks, I would have lost my girls as well. But I had them early on and was able to save my pregnancy with very strict bed rest and progesterone suppositories. I felt nothing but my cervix was 5 mm, funneled, and dilated at 20 weeks. I was luckily able to keep them inside for an additional 10 weeks. One is home with me now, the other is still in the hospital.

In a singleton pregnancy, they may not have as much usefulness unless you have a history of PTL. But twin pregnancies carry slightly more risk given the increased weight.

The way I see it: I don't really see a negative other than the exam itself. If the information could help you in some way, I don't see why not doing it.

[Valerieg]

I'd totally do it if I were 20 weeks. Or heck, even now if they thought that they would stop labor if I were already dilating. But, I'm talking from here on out. They just don't seem useful at all.