Exams?

[jenniferadurham]

So how often do you/have you gotten checked internally while you're pg? I don't see why it needs to be every time. Or even at all. I had my pap done last week and I think that's all that needs to be done. I trust my body and don't see any reason why my cervix needs to be messed with. I'm perfectly healthy and haven't had any pg or birth problems. This is my 3rd pg, and I know what to expect and don't need to be told that my cervix is still there or that it's dilated any. My body will do what it's supposed to.


I read a blog by a mw earlier that talked about this exact thing. Not sure if I can post it here?? Can I?

So what are your thoughts on it?

[finnegansmom]

I don't really believe in internals.
At all.
I don't see them necessary in a normal pregnancy.
If I were having preterm contractions, bleeding or cramping, I can see it useful to determine if the cervix is dilating earlier than it should.
But for a normal pregnancy, I refuse.
I never had one in labor last time. I didn't need anyone telling me if it was or was not time to push. I think it's safe to say, I figured it out on my own.

[tzs]

i let them at the end only if i'm curious. but since it really doesn't mean anything anyway i'll sometimes refuse. my ob is ok with that.

[lyterae]

My last pregnancy was with a nurse-midwife in an OB office. This time around we are having a homebirth and I've been amazed at how hands off things are. I have not had any exams and it sounds like I most likely won't end up with one until late in labor if at all.

[Banana731]

um, zero.

[WifeofAnt]

The standard at my OB's is once at the first appointment (to check if everything is there?) and then weekly starting at 36 weeks. I'm still a little iffy on whether or not I actually want them though.

[greenmulberry]

I am 26 weeks and haven't had a single internal exam, EXCEPT, for when I when to the Emergency Room for heavy bleeding, which seems reasonable and appropriate.

[DanielleT]

I can't remember when but my doctor doesn't do internals until the very end and that's to check if i'm dialating yet...he'll do a pap at my 6 week pp check

[westcoastlady]

I just had my first internal with my MW at 37 weeks and it was only to help her determine the position of my baby. It was in a really weird position and she said she was 90% sure it was head down but my doing a quick internal she could tell if it was the head or the butt that was pressing against my cervix (baby was also really low). I guess heads are hard and butts are squishy. Other than that I don't think we'll do another one until labour.

Last time with DS I was with a doctor and I didn't have an internal until 40w1d and she just offered to check if I was interested. However... during labour I had a lot of checks because it was really long (so even checking every couple of hours meant a lot of checks)... especially near the end. He was posterior and we had to stop pushing and try get him to turn... so they were checking to see how far he had descended, if he was turning, he also had in internal fetal monitor so that they could monitor his heart rate effectively as it was such a long 2nd stage (6 hours). While I know all of that they were neccessary and helped me to avoid a c-section and I was really glad to have an OB who was willing to work with me to have a vaginal birth.... I did end up in the ER one week later with a uterine infection that was likely caused by all of the VE. This time... I want as few as possible to try to avoid repeating that senario.

[Ola_]

I completely agree, it seems unnecessary to me unless there are issues that suggest you need one. It hasn't even been mentioned by my MW.

[kawa kamuri]

never

[MyFullHouse]

I'm 32 weeks and have taken my pants off twice this pregnancy. Once was because I was way overdue for a general exam and pap, and then a follow up with a colpo for abnormal/high risk results. Never as a routine deal.

With my last pregnancy, I didn't take my pants off until 41 and 42 weeks.

The one before that, I don't remember ever having an internal.

My memory is fuzzier on the first two (both with OBs), but I don't recall having any internals. If I did, they certainly weren't frequent.

[Lady Lilya]

Read something about this topic just today:

http://www.nurturingheartsbirthservices.com/blog/?p=50

-------------

I can't remember having any internals with my first baby until during labor when I said to the MW that I felt like pushing and she looked and said I had a bit of a lip. She said she would try to move it during the next contraction, and I didn't feel anything while she was doing that (I had read here it could be painful).

This pregnancy, the next time I see my MW will be 24 weeks. She hasn't gone near my vagina.

[jcregan]

Just the one at my first visit.. although I agree that seems pretty silly. I had a pap a couple months before... no bleeding etc.

Then I switched MWs and they were not really paying attention and on my first visit there they wanted to do one. I was like umm... you have my records and I just had one a few weeks ago - nope! They were totally fine with it but I was a bit annoyed they did not pay more attention to my records/chart. I still like them though.

[jenniferadurham]

Thank you everyone for your replys. That blog by the mw really got me thinking..why are they even needed if your are healthy.


I'm thinking about changing to a home birth. I was at a bc last time, ended up transferring to a hospital..but in hindsight...I think I know now what I need to do to change the possibility of transfer.


Thanks again everyone!!!

[jenniferadurham]

Originally Posted by Lady Lilya

Read something about this topic just today:

http://www.nurturingheartsbirthservices.com/blog/?p=50

-------------

I can't remember having any internals with my first baby until during labor when I said to the MW that I felt like pushing and she looked and said I had a bit of a lip. She said she would try to move it during the next contraction, and I didn't feel anything while she was doing that (I had read here it could be painful).

This pregnancy, the next time I see my MW will be 24 weeks. She hasn't gone near my vagina.

Yes! This is the article I read!!!!

[Aleka333]

haven't had any. don't think my MW will unless it's really needed.

[Artichokie]

none, and I also refuse pap while pregnant.

[starbyfar7]

never? my midwives are really chill.. one of things i love most about them. we're letting my body do its thing.. theres no reason for a pap. i had my annual last year and it was normal

when i was seeing an OB for my first on the other hand.. i had quite a few paps and they had there fingers in me every single time i went in for an appt. pretty awful and unnecessary if you ask me

[Virginia884]

None. She asked about a pap at our first appt, but I had one with another office a few months before, told her the results were all normal, and she was satisfied with that.