Should I ask for an internal?

[Satori]

I haven't had a single internal this pregnancy and have refused all of them much to everyone's irritation (ok, so I had the ffn test done at 35 weeks and a quickie at 23 weeks when it looked like I was in PTL but I had good reason at the time). I spent all day Monday contracting but no real pattern, yesterday I spent over 12 hours contracting in an actual labor pattern (ended up every 3.5-4min lasting 60-90 seconds) only to have it stop when I went to bed. Today nothing major, just a short contraction about every half hour. I know finding out I'm xx cm dilated doesn't tell me when I'll have this baby BUT it would give me hope if these things are actually doing something but on the flip side I'm going to be really discouraged if I'm still long and firm yk? I see my OB tomorrow and am debating what to do. I tried finding my cervix last night but couldn't find the darn thing (yes I was squating while checking) and while baby has dropped she hasn't engaged yet so no head to feel for. What I do find odd though is I can find my tail bone! I broke it when I was like 10 and it didn't heal right, is it possible what i'm thinking is my tail bone is my cervix? I dont think it is because if I apply pressure I feel it in the rectal area rather then up higher and its pretty darn firm/hard.

[orangebird]

LOL I know how you feel but honestly, I wouldn't bother. Of course if you really feel like you want one it is your choice, your body, but if I were having the symptoms you are no way would I have one, especially if my HCP was an OB. I don't trust OBs (or most midwives for that matter). Say you are dialated. What is he gonna want to do? Alot of OBs would want to induce labor. And if you aren't dialated than you will just feel bad. If you are dialated you might expect too much too. You already know whatever your dialation is it isn't going to really tell you anything you don't already know, all it's going to do is give your OB a reason to try to "do something". Just IMO, of course. I am hoping things start up for you soon, I hate the wait at the end.

[CryPixie83]

I agree with Mara, I wouldn't have an internal (almost typed "internet" there ). If for no other reason than because OB's like to meddle and "get things started" and all that, um....stuff. I can just see an OB doing a "check" and "oops! I accidently swept the membranes" Besides, at this point I would keep everything (except perhaps your own or a partner's fingers ) out of the vagina- you really don't want to risk infection this close.

Drink some tea, go for a walk and enjoy the rest period before the baby is here