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Should I get internal exam today?  

post #1 of 13
6/6/08 at 11:00am
Thread Starter 
I postponed my NST from wed to today... just to push things back a bit. I am going to be 42 weeks on Tuesday. I haven't seen any major signs of labor (no mucus plug, no contractions except lots of BHix... ) I do think the baby dropped though b/c i had super bad heartburn for a week and then it suddenly went away.

I haven't had any internal exams yet which is fine. I've tried checking my own cervix but not having much luck - Maybe I'm doing it wrong because it seriously feels like I'm hurting my wrist or pulling muscles in my arm/neck/back when I try to do it. I tried sitting/squatting and standing was worst position!

I just don't want the docs to push anything they shouldn't while they're up there if they do an internal. I am curious to know though if there is any "progress" going on though.

Should I wait?
post #2 of 13
6/6/08 at 11:30am
Yep, and see if you can get a massage or hair or lunch appointment for tomorrow.

Horrible as it is for you to think about, you could be at 3-4 cms now and it wouldn't actually matter. If you feel like obsessing over numbers, figuring out if your due date could possibly be off should be just as "fun" as worrying about dilation and will actually be possibly more productive. "Oh! I might only be at 41 weeks 2 days! I'm fine!", relax, baby.
post #3 of 13
6/6/08 at 11:36am
Get an internal if the results - no matter what they are - will give you peace of mind. So if you get checked and you're 0/0%, would you have wanted to know? Or if you're 3 cm and 80%, would that make you happy?

I decided to get checked this past week (i'm 39 weeks) simply b/c I wanted to know where things were at. Should I try and convince DH that more sex is a good option to encourage things along ? Should I stop worrying about whether I'll make it through this work week and get everything done that needs to be? Etc. I decided that no matter what the answer was I would be happy with it and would like to know.

So... if this is you - you simply want to know - then do it. If not, don't bother.
post #4 of 13
6/6/08 at 11:36am
I'd skip the internal. I had one done at 40 weeks and my water broke ten hours later. My labor never started though, so I was induced the next day. I suspect the exam damaged my water bag.
post #5 of 13
6/6/08 at 11:37am
You could maybe try acupuncture or something like that to start labor.
post #6 of 13
6/6/08 at 11:43am
An internal exam will not predict when labor will start. So, why would you want to get one? I'm not saying NOT too and I'm not saying you SHOULD.

Just ask yourself what that information would give you if it will not predict when labor will start?
post #7 of 13
6/6/08 at 12:09pm
Thread Starter 
I am going to skip it. It would be interested to know if things are "progressing" but if they are not, then I don't want to feel discouraged. I'd rather just go along like I have been. Plus, I think it drives everyone crazy when I tell them I haven't had any internals. They just can't seem to believe it. Come to think of it, my friend was telling me her internal was a painful experience so I could skip out on the discomfort as well.

Thanks for the advice ladies... I just need to keep relaxing...breathing... and so on!! i think this baby will come june 10th anyway. and if not... there's plenty of days after june 10th out there for having a baby!
post #8 of 13
6/6/08 at 7:39pm
Skip it. If your doctor thinks you are 42 weeks, chances are the doctor will strip your membranes and labor will be on its way. It is on its way anyway, so let your baby choose its own birthday.
post #9 of 13
6/6/08 at 10:19pm
You ARE progressing, no matter what your cervix is like right now. Your baby will come. I'm glad you're skipping it. Try to relax.
post #10 of 13
6/7/08 at 1:47am
Thread Starter 
I skipped it. The nurse brought me in the little paper and I was like "what's this for?" She said, "oh i'm not sure if he wants to do an internal." and i said, "oh it's okay, i know i don't want one." and that was that. i do have to say one nice thing about my OB group... they don't argue much with me. So that's good.



He just said "the kid looks perfect" based on the NST and that was basically it... but he wanted me to come back Monday for another U/S, NST etc. Good grief!!! MORE.... I took the appointment to avoid a show down but I know I can call monday morning and be busy that day. We'll see... Might not be an issue by Monday...

thanks for all the encouragement...I talked to my aunt today... kind of on the subject... she's in her 80s and had her two babies in the 50s. Even though that was a time when the docs were really changing things up, she was/is still all natural about it. she was really encouraging too. it's just so frustrating b/c everyone else i talk to just wants to know "how long is your doc going to let you go?" and then i have to say... "As long as I say, since I'm in charge of my body" People just think docs are gods or something. GR.

thanks for letting me vent! : )
post #11 of 13
6/7/08 at 1:43pm
Thread Starter 
okay i'm posting again like this is my little thread journal...

I am pretty sure labor is at least starting to come on. I had 5, maybe 6, contractions this morning over the course of an hour while I was laying in bed between 7:20-8:20ish. Now another hour has passed, and since I've gotten up and around, nothing. But I'm just going to go about my day like normal... I still have some minor things to do around the house and then later I am going to get my mom to go walking with me. Last night before bed, I rocked in my glider for like 30 mins or so and also put DS to sleep that way. So maybe the rocking rocked things up a bit.... hopefully in a good way. The contractions I had weren't extremely painful but the last one was for sure pretty uncomfortable and I noticed it really helped to rock my body side to side a bit to ease it.

i don't want to get too excited but i can't help it! I am guessing I could be in this phase for awhile... even days to come... so I'm off to do my normal stuff!

Thanks for listening!
post #12 of 13
6/7/08 at 2:39pm
I'm glad things may be happening!
I think it was a really good idea that you didn't get an internal exam.
You are one smart mama!
Keep us updated....

Lorette
post #13 of 13
6/7/08 at 8:51pm
Labor vibes coming your way! Early labor is all about relaxing and waiting, which is the hardest thing to do when all you want is to have your baby!
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