Cervical checks

I'm 33 weeks pregnant and getting nervous about cervical checks in the weeks to come. I've read plenty of articles that say they are not necessary and I've heard from people that it put them into labor early. Can I refuse these checks? I'm not very assertive and I'm worried the doctor is going to get annoyed if I even suggest skipping these.

Re: Cervical checks

I had one per week starting at 36 weeks - I went into labor a day before 41 weeks. I thought they were going to be painful, but they really weren't bad at all and it was good to know the progress that was happening.

Re: Cervical checks

You have the right to refuse any medical procedure.
They are not medically necessary.

Re: Cervical checks

I didn't know that it could put you into labor early.
I don't see why you shouldn't be able to refuse them if you don't want it. I'd imagine it's ultimately up to you!

Cervical checks

I would start with just asking when they usually start them. Then at least you know and it can start up the conversation and you can express your thoughts on the issue.

I don't know what's normal for my practice but I can tell you with my first I never had an internal until my due date. After that I didn't have a second one until it was my last appointment 10 days later. I was in no rush so those were plenty for me. I was carrying high so I don't know if the fact that I hadn't dropped and wasn't having contractions that I knew of made them not bother.

Re: Cervical checks

With my ds they started doing them at 36 weeks. I was induced at 41 weeks so they did nothing for me. But it doesn't hurt to ask if they are necessary.

Cervical checks

I never had one. My Dr might have done it at the very end but I gave birth at 37 weeks. Not all Drs do them until due date or later.

Cervical checks

I didn't have an internal until 38 weeks. I had DS at 39 weeks 4 days; one day after my doctor stripped my membranes. At that point, I wanted DS out so any help was appreciated!

Re: Cervical checks

I would tell the Dr you'd rather not do it. Maybe they can better explain to you why they like to do it. It has to give them some kind of useful information I would think.

Re: Cervical checks

They drove me crazy with my first pregnancy when the OB started checking at 36 weeks. The not knowing when I'll go in labor coupled with the fact that I was 3cm dilated for weeks. (What? I'm 30% there? What if I go in labor on the train? Acckk! Seriously. Crazy.)

So for my second, I didn't want any checks until 40 weeks. Midwife was totally cool with that. I was 2cm at that check, and only progressed to 3cm at 41weeks. I delivered at 10 days past EDD. Only went a little crazy just because I didn't think I'd go this late but my first was an induction and it was rough so I wanted to let it all ride out as natural as possible.

For my third, I didn't do a check until I was a week late. (Again, midwives were cool with that.) Even when she told me I was 5cm dilated and "soft as butter" and that she would put money down that I'd have the baby by the next night, I didn't get my hopes up. I went into labor the middle of the 4th night after at 11 days past EDD.

So in my experience, it's fine to know if you don't expect anything out of it. And I don't like to endure weeks of checks for nothing, because they hurt and they can cause you to spot (which can throw some first time moms in a tizzy too). Your OB or midwife should respect your wishes.

Cervical checks

I didn't know they could put you into labor. I had them weekly after 36 weeks. You don't have to have them.