When did your MW start vaginal checks?

[mightymoo]

Just curious - last pregnancy I didn't get any until 41 weeks or later - I think my MW offered a bit earlier but I wanted to wait. I have a new midwife this time and I am not sure what she does normally (I can ask her at this afternoon's appointment) but I'm curious when everyone else started getting them.

[nym]

my midwife will at 40 weeks

[rainbowfairymomma]

my midwife doesn't check ever, not even regularly in labor (unless you ask, or she has some other reason)
she said she will for me when i want to push since i had a c/s with my DS...
she said she didn't think it told you anything...

[valeria_vi]

my mw doesn't do them prenatally unless there's a real reason or problem where checking your cervix could provide valuable info.
in labor she likes to chek at least once, but not as much for the cervix as to make sure that the baby's head is positioned in the best way (she feels for how the baby's sculp is).

[Mama Bee]

My MW doesn't do them either unless I request them- even during labor.

[darkstar]

She doesnt, although I havent asked about the birth...I will next visit

darkstar

[captain crunchy]

My midwife doesn't do any unless you request them...she did offer to do a membrane stripping if I was getting too uncomfortable and wanted to see if it would help move things along...no pressure at all, just suggested that if it was getting too unbearable ...but I declined for now.

I don't know if she does any in labor...I don't believe so unless I ask...

That is just the way I like it too

I think they are needless for the most part...(there are exceptions of course)

[slightly crunchy]

Mine don't do it until 41 weeks. I presume but am not sure that the reason to do it then is to possibly strip membranes if you want it done, as they are under the 42 week constraint from the backup OB. Or to check how far along a woman is in deciding whether she'll do well with induction, etc. Otherwise I don't get why they would do it at 41 weeks and not any other time.

I have to admit that though I don't want to be checked, I still am kind of curious. But as it is hard enough to lay on my back long enough to have my belly measured, I am very glad to skip the exams.

[amydidit]

My MW with DD#1 started checking me at about 36 weeks, but that was because I told her I thought I lost my plug and at that time in TX she was not legally allowed to let me go to the birth center unless I was 38 weeks, so we wanted to see how far along I was progressing already.

This MW, I'm not sure what she does. I'll probably decline them though.

[mightymoo]

Well, I talked to my midwife and she said that she doesn't normally do them unless I request. This is good, because I think if she had said she does them normally and I would have to refuse rather than the other way around, I would have given in out of curiosity. Last time we did one at 41 weeks with the intention of sweeping the membranes and I tell you it was seriously depressing to be told I was so closed she couldn't even get a finger in to sweep

[MamaFae]

I am glad you asked this question! I have no idea and need to ask at the next appointment.

I have am going to have a hard time not having them done because of my experience with the first two being with an OB who started at 36 weeks. I am impatient by nature and add to that the fact that I am serisouly considering natural induction if I am dialated at all while we have family here I think I will be disappointed if my MW refused to check.

I really need to chat with her!

Blessings,
N~

[annakiss]

Originally Posted by Mama Bee

My MW doesn't do them either unless I request them- even during labor.

:
It's the way to go, IMO.

[WitherB]

My MWs don't check before labor, and after that, I'm uncertain. I need to ask about that during my next appointment ~ I'd rather not be checked unless there's a good reason (i.e. feeling for baby's position). The only time I could see needing to know how far you are dilated would be before pushing. And even then, doesn't a woman know when she's ready to push? I had an epi last time, so I'm looking forward to that sensation!

[tiffanyblitz]

Originally Posted by WitherB

The only time I could see needing to know how far you are dilated would be before pushing. And even then, doesn't a woman know when she's ready to push?

Yes and no, is my understanding...

You get the urge to push, definately, but there may still be a "lip" of cervix, or some other reason it'd be better to try and breathe through a few.

My mw has clandestinely agreed to let me birth this baby at her house (near the hopsital) if baby is still breech and doesn't turn during labor - but we'll definately be wanting to check and find out for sure which part we're dealing with and whether we're really ready for it! LOL

- Tiffany

[robugmum]

I've never had a check before I was in labour. With this one, I think I'll ask that they not check until I request it (unless there is a compelling reason, I guess). With my first birth, the MW actually got it wrong. She thought I was 7 cm and so we went to the hospital, turned out, I was only 3cm! We were there way too early, I ended up having one intervention after another and finally, a c-section. BTW, I found out later this mw had a terribly high C-section rate. She no longer practices here and has returned to the States.

[mlis]

My mw asked at my 36 week apt if I wanted to be checked, I said no. She didn't ask at 37 weeks. She only checks if I want her to before labor and only if she feels its necessary during labor. Its funny though, now that I'm 38 weeks, everyone asks how dilated I am... 1)none of your business 2) I have no idea! They seem to think its weird that I don't even care since it doesn't mean anything but someone's hand was uncomfortably inside me!

[tiffanyblitz]

Originally Posted by mlis

Its funny though, now that I'm 38 weeks, everyone asks how dilated I am... 1)none of your business 2) I have no idea! They seem to think its weird that I don't even care since it doesn't mean anything but someone's hand was uncomfortably inside me!

Isn't that funny? I've spent all this time with people thinking I'm weird because I don't know baby's gender, and now I'm REALLY weird because I don't know exactly (supposedly) what my cervix is up to!

- Tiffany in AZ

[kate~mom]

when i was having regular contractions six minutes apart at an appointment. and one at the birth place after my water broke two minutes after we walked in - speedy gonzales was born ten minutes later.