Anyone else not having internals?

[MAMom]

Just wondering if anyone else is *not* having internals? I've pretty much decided against them, unless some kind of problem comes up. Just curious....

I'm glad to read that lots of others are having warm-up labor too. Had a full day of contractions on Saturday (9am - 5pm), then more Sunday for a few hours, and then Sunday/Monday from about 1am until about 10am this morning.
___________________________________
SAHM to a spectacular little boy, born 5/2003 :bf Feb 2006!
"When you teach your son, you teach your son's son." ~ The Talmud

[SabDoulaMommy]

I don't have internals, either prenatally nor during labor. I would during labor if I felt really stuck, but thankfully I haven't been there yet.

[AndiG]

nope, no internals here either. No one around here (gps, midwives) does them until the baby is at least to their due date. Even then, they are likely to just leave you alone until you're about a week past term.
(at least that's how its been for me with both of my two.... )

[aguacates]

Nope, we're not doing them either. I don't think they give you any useful information, except what your cervix is doing *right now*. My midwife thinks that the less your cervix gets messed with, the less your chance of introducing foreign bacteria. She will do them in labor if you request them. I had one when I was in labor w/dd, to find out I was completely dilated. My mw had a feeling that I had just gone through transition, while I was telling her that I was going to be in labor for three days. She was right, thank goodness.

[charmedgirlies]

I'm not either and won't until i get to that pushy stage of labor when I will check myself and hopefully not feel a booty or foot at that point! I wouldnt even worry abotu it otherwise if there wasn't a good possibility that the baby is breech (thank you very much trip to Baltimore)

[musemor]

My midwife doesn't do internal exams during pregnancy or birth (until the "pushy" stage) unless I request them. I might ask to be checked during labor if I'm getting discouraged or it's particularly long, but at this point I don't want to know!

[Sleepymama]

My MW doesn't do them at all either unless the mom asks for one or if something weird is going on, like an especially long or painful labor. I think it will actually be good not to know since I did get hung up on my progress last time and it was depressing.

[~member~]

I am so happy to hear that mothers are saying "No" to internal exams. I don't know how many threads I have started or posted on and ppl would get all upset with me.

I have been saying for years that there is more risk than benefit from such invasive procedures.

I think we would know if our vagina's just up and disappeared, right?
And why check the cervix if you are not even close to labor?
The only times I have asked for a check, is when I had been in what seemed like, hard labor for five hours. Sure enough, I was only at 5 and not progressing.

My midwife thinks that the less your cervix gets messed with, the less your chance of introducing foreign bacteria.

:

[alicia9178]

I had one done when I was in premature labor a few weeks ago, but i am not having one done again. HOWEVER....I will be using EPO on my cervix, so when DH puts that in I might have him check me, but I am not having an exam done at the Dr's and I am NOT having one done in labor.
ALicia

[Audreysmama]

I am not having done until at least a week after my due date. I see no point. I had them done with my first and it was silly. I got put on bed rest for dialating too early...and dh adn everone else bugging me that I could go any day. It was so irritating. I figure I am just saving myself the irritation of knowing useless information as I fully trust my body to go into labor naturally. My ob was totally cool with it...however the nurse thought I was a bit wacko I just say "I'll pass" when they tell me to undress for the pelvic exam. It really makes them stop and think about what you said... many women must just go with what they are told to do, lol. I love being out of the ordinary!

[EllasMama]

None here either, till I get ready to push. I did try to check my own cervix a week or two ago (had a cervical prolapse in Dec. and wanted to make sure everything was in place). Well, I couldn't find my cervix, it was so far back! It's usually tilted/posterior and fairly hard to reach, but it's totally out of reach now, LOL.

Carol

[MelissaEvans]

I tried to check myself, but couldn't get around my belly. That's all I plan on trying. =) Admittedly, I am curious if anything's opening, but I don't want to get depressed if there's nothing. A teacher once commented that if we were meant to know what our cervix was doing, it wouldn't be hidden. =) Labor and birth are so much more than a cervix opening. Rambling, but I attended my friend's hospital birth (I am so looking forward to my homebirth!) and there was this white board on the wall with a line going up 45degrees and marks every inch for how many cm mom is. How depressing! As if labor is linear! What if you're only a 4 and see how much further the climb is? I'd take that thing down if I had to labor in that room!

[greenmansions]

Well, I am going against the flow here. I had an internal today at my 38 week checkup. The MW and I decided it would be good to see what's going on as DH & I have been very anxious about a repeat of my son's birth. With him, I labored for 4 days and was never dilated or effaced before the contractions started in, and didn't get past 3 cm til I got pitocin on the 3rd day. It sucked to put it mildly and ended in a c/s due to serious complications setting in.

I am VBACing this time and I want reassurance that things really could go differently. I was very happy to find out that I am 2 cm dilated and very soft. Feels like my body really can do it this time. I probably will refuse further exams, but this really has lifted my spirits and relieved my anxiety.

[~member~]

Originally Posted by greenmansions

was never dilated or effaced before the contractions started in,

Maybe you were just typing fast, but it is rare to be either before contractions, especially in a first pregnancy.

[katja]

I've been looking at the feb ddc at a certain mainstream board, and I'm pretty amazed by how preoccupied everyone is w/their cervical dilation. And everyone thinks they're going to have their baby early! I just stay out of it. But really, obs doing internals at 36, 37 weeks and telling people that they'll be going into labor soon. It seems kind of irresponsible to me. (The docs, not the ladies) That said, I haven't had an internal, but I did try to find my cervix. It's missing! I guess everything is totally different in there when you're pg. Ah well, que sera...

[be11ydancer]

No internals this time around, either. And I'm LOVING IT. Midwife told me they offer to do one at around 38 weeks but I'll probably pass it up. Doesn't seem necessary. I, personally, LOVE not having someone staring between my legs looking for whatever it is they look for. I'll keep my crotch to myself, thankyouverymuch!