internal

[Boblina]

Hi, a strange question for you all. What exactly do they due during an internal? Is it painful? Please tell all. A little worried.

[MrsHappy]

They just have a feel around to see what your cervix is up to. It can be uncomfortable but IME this depends on the attitude of the person doing it. When I was recently in labour a midwife examined me very gently which was fine, while the doctors behaved as though they were rummaging around Mary Poppins' handbag. Either way though they are nothing at all to worry about and the doctor/midwife should stop if you tell them you are not comfortable.

If you are in the UK, you will probably not get many internals in any event.

[LadyOfTheFlowers]

I never had one that hurt or was uncomfortable, felt weird maybe, but that's about it.

I also found, as Mrs.Happy said, you don't get many - I always seem to have to ask for them to spur me along, they don't want todo as many as I want them to do!!

[Boblina]

Thanks. You see I am very apprehensive about it all. I am not sure about it and I think that I would probably tighten up and stuff. I know that it's nothing to worry about but ...

[MrsHappy]

In labour your hormones kind of loosen everything up so examinations are not so bad.
HCPs should ask your permission before examining you and you really don't need many internals. An experienced midwife can often tell how far along you are by how you are behaving and other external signs.
I don't like them much so my birth plan said I didn't want internals unless absolutely necessary.

[Boblina]

Thanks, that is very helpful and has kind of put my mind at rest. Well for the next couple of minutes anyway.

[Tangle]

You can decline internals if you don't want them (and if they did one against your express wish you could sue them for assault!) They may be hospital policy but unless you're a hospital employee that's not your problem.

I didn't have any with DD and don't plan to have any with DC2 (although I reserve the right to change my mind during labour if the MW thinks there is a benefit to be gained and can convince me of the same). Some women like to get a quatitative measure of how they're progressing and find a VE is a good thing. At the end of the day its all down to personal choice - decide what you'd prefer and make sure your birth partner is up to speed and can defend your wishes so you don't have to divert energy away from your labour to tell the MWs how things are going to be.

(btw a tip from Mary Cronk is to practice saying in a stern voice "Stop that at once" - which you can then use in a multitude of situations if you're getting uncomfortable, either physically or emotionally.)

[sh77]

As I had to be induced, I had internals and it was the worst part of my birth experience. As I was absolutely dreading this part anyway, I had probably exaggerated it in my mind. At least 4 different people shoved their hands inside me. I found it quite distressing and one of the docs used emotional blackmail on me by saying that I wasn't doing my baby any favours.

Also, had I known about infections, I would have insisted on being swabbed before having an internal.