cervical check

[e123vg]

when do they start. last night i was having contractions, they last 1min for ever 5min for about 1 1/2 hours. so i'm almost possitive i'm effacing or dilating. i was just wondering when my doctor will start checking my cervix. also, can i check my own cervix or should i not since i'm considered high risk.

[timneh_mom]

Some docs start checking at 36 weeks, mine doesn't bother unless you've had a lot of pressure or you want a check. I had tons of pressure without much progress with my first, and I think this time I probably won't ask her to check because I don't want to obsess over it!

I think I've read of some moms checking their own but I don't think I could reach mine at this point...

[lanielayne]

Usually after 36 weeks is my experience. I don't think that dilation is accurate as to when you may go into labor anyway. I have been having contracts too so I checked myself. I have never checked in pg before but thought I would this time just to see what it is like. I am not dilated at all but everything is really squishy. I have to get in a depp squat to be able to reach it. I don't think anything is wrong with checking yourself as long as it isn't going to cause you to worry or obsess about it.

[e123vg]

ha, duh, last pregnancy i was dialated to 3-4 and 50% effaced at 33 weeks and it stayed that way until i delivered. so you're right, it doesn't matter. baby wont come out unless she/he is ready. thanks again.

[raeinparis]

we get one every visit in france. just the thing you want, hmm? i had one on tuesday and i'm "well shut up" which is what i prefer... luckily i don't have an appt next month so only two more before the baby arrives!

[LEAW]

only if there is good reason does mine check, like if i went in asking because of the ctx at 30 weeks...

she does offer at 35 weeks if she's doing a gbs swab, and again at 38 and 40. but it's just an offer, no expectation of actually checking.

with dd i was checked at 35 weeks and 40 weeks and when i was in labor at 42+ weeks. with this one i will wait until i'm in labor or 42+ weeks.

just remember there are risks to each check, like adding unwanted organisms further up the birth canal, particulary little buggies like gbs and staph..

[umami_mommy]

most OBs seems to have a fetish with putting their hands in women's vaginas.

i would keep anyone's hands out of there until you are in labor and actually want to know how dialated you are.

are you having actual contractions or HB contractions?

actual contractions at the beginning of the 3 trimester could be an issue.

are you drinking enough water? having any other symtoms?

and PS, if you don't want a VE, just decline. there is no need for them, they do nothing to improve outcome, nor do they improve your prenatal care. if you want to know what your cervix is doing, just check yourself.

i'll see if i can get my little handout about checking your cervix made into a sticky, since i've posted it so many times.

[JanetH]

usually at 37 weeks

that is when they consider you to be full term and they start checking to see change in your cervix.

[bluey]

Originally Posted by raeinparis

we get one every visit in france. just the thing you want, hmm? i had one on tuesday and i'm "well shut up" which is what i prefer... luckily i don't have an appt next month so only two more before the baby arrives!

ouch!

I didn't have one with either of my pg's until I was thought to be in labour Even then I was not too keen on Mr. OB and his big man-hands "checking" things out. With my second it wasn't so bad as I refused him, and had the nurses check me instead.

[MCKMN]

I'm not sure when my new OB does them, but I have had 3 already, granted they were early on, but I just do not want anymore. So, I am going too opt out of them.

[umami_mommy]

i guess maybe i have just been in the empowered birth community too long, but i fail to see why any woman needs to submit to a VE, ever, UNLESS she requests it.

i ASKED my MW to check me when i was in labor to see what was going on.

i ASKED my MW to look at my cervix this time when i started bleeding.

no-one should have their hands in your vagina until you ASK. assume that at 37 weeks (unless it's your first pregnancy) that your cervix is changing. if you need to know (why does it matter anyway?) check it yourself. :

otherwise, your cervix it yours and yours alone, no-one need have their hands in there ever, unless you want it.

[e123vg]

yes they were real contractions. both pregnancies so far i've had preterm labor, normally i would go in but it's too hard to go in with a 12m old that is so curious and a "party animal". i assure you i will go in when i feel it is an emergency.

as for checking myself, i don't think i will. i would just freak myself out if i was dilated and really end up in the hospital. i stress myself out too much.

thanks for the advice, i appreciated it.

[umami_mommy]

by all means if you WANT a VE, ask for one. my fingers are very short and my cervix is very high usually, so i have had to ask for them too.

i wasn't so much responding to you, i was responding to those who seemed to be unhappy about VE but are continuing to get them.