How many pelvic exams to expect?

[magicalmama]

How many pelvic exams are women having when they go into hospital in labour?

I'm pregnant with my first child and want to know about what is expected during childbirth before going in, but I can't find any info on how many or how often pelvic exams are done and by who.

Probably they're not considered enough of a "thing" for people to mention this, but I really want to know in advance what is expected. I know you can refuse, but say you don't, when do they usually want to do them?

I had just one with each, when I was admitted but found them incredibly painful, particularly because I had to lie back for it, but also because the contractions were coming and it bloody hurt.

For this baby I wrote in my birth plan that I do not consent to vaginal examinations unless there is a medical indication. There are other ways to assess progress in labour.

The midwife ones were fine, they asked before. In fact in my second labour I had to ask them to do a couple extra ones as I was stressing about lack of progress. A doctor did one near the end, it was bloody painful, I think I might have hit him and the midwife threw him out.

With DD I had 3 or 4. One on admittance by midwife, one a couple of hours later by my Dr, possibly one before getting an epidural and I assume another to check I was fully dilated. The first one hurt but I had gas and air for the second one and the third and fourth I don't even remember! If you're worried about pain ask for some gas and air and have a good breathe on it before they start.

I had 2 with most recent baby. Had many more with others, the longer labour lasts the more they tend to ask to check how you are progressing. You can decline, personally not bothered by them rummaging around in there.