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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

When do midwives start checking you internally?

17 replies

jessebuni · 21/05/2012 18:57

Hi there! I've read several posts on this site and others where people have been talking about how effaced they are etc. however my midwife hasn't checked me internally at all through the whole pregnancy so when will she start? Or will she just not??? Also I'm 37 weeks and haven't seen her since 34 weeks and she's not seeing me again until 38 week is this normal??? I'm sure with my son it was every other week from about 34/35 weeks and then every week from 37 weeks.... have things changed in the 3 1/2 years since I last gave birth?

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Pascha · 21/05/2012 18:59

The only time my midwife did was when she did my sweep at 40+8. They won't unless you ask them too. Once you are in labour its dependent on the situation.

BlackOutTheSun · 21/05/2012 18:59

when i had my sweep

candr · 21/05/2012 19:01

With me was not untill I was in labour at hospitle. There is no real reason to do it most of the time during pregnancy unless you have bleeds etc. You don't have to let them check you or do sweeps unless you want them done.

PrimaBallerina · 21/05/2012 19:19

Only the sweep here too.

ginmakesitallok · 21/05/2012 19:20

Only once I was 9cm dilated (don't think she believed I was in labour)

FeathersMcGraw · 21/05/2012 19:24

When she was about to put the pessary in to start induction with dd2 and when I arrived at the hospital in full labour with dd1 to see how far along I was.

HRHQueenElizabeth · 21/05/2012 19:27

At 42 weeks when they started my induction. I don't think there's much call to check internally routinely unless there are other conditions.

TinkerMaloo · 21/05/2012 19:48

i would want them sticking their fingers up there as little as possible!

its just for sweeps and during labour in my exp...

ASByatt · 21/05/2012 19:55

Yes, only for sweep and to check progress during labour.

As for midwife appointments, I think it's common to not have very many during a second pregnancy (unless there were issues during your first) and I guess maybe if you go on to have a third or more you just send the midwife a postcard from the hospital when you've had the baby!

PestoPenguin · 21/05/2012 20:03

Never, if you don't want them to! In my first pregnancy I was offered a sweep once I reached my due date, which I accepted. DC2 was born before EDD and before midwife arrived, so no internals at all. Bliss. With DC3 I declined the offer of a sweep and declined any internals during labour either, as I thought it totally unecessary with all progressing well. Labour was just over 3hrs in total. I intend to do the same this time. I did accept one examination after each of DC2 &3's births to check for any internal tears. Ouch!

Rachog · 21/05/2012 20:14

Just during labour with dc1, once when we arrived at hospital and then one or two more.

Dc2 I didn't have any, I got to the hospital and when I popped onto the bed to get checked I felt the urge to push. The midwife must have been able to see Dd head because she didn't feel the need to feel.

ColumboIsMyHero · 21/05/2012 20:23

DC1 - only during induction and labour. Mind you, it took fecking DAYS and by the end of it I thought everyone in the maternity hospital, including the florist and the WRVS ladies, had been up there.

DC2 - not at all. Hurrah!

misslinnet · 21/05/2012 20:49

I got checked internally by the obstetrician when I went in after my waters broke.

Also when I arrived at hospital during labour, and again just before I started pushing.

StarlightMcKenzie · 21/05/2012 20:52

For my last and this pregnancy - never ever!

IMO they are only ever helpful or necessary if there is reason to believe that labour isn't going as it should, - to help give the midwives a better picture of what is happening.

Otherwise they can keep their fingers to themselves....

HeidiHole · 21/05/2012 21:34

Only had an internal when they did a sweep at 40 weeks and at 41 weeks

Original poster

jessebuni · 21/05/2012 22:10

ok thats cool its not just me then. with my first preg they only did a check once i was in labour because they didn't think i was very far in active labour but it turned out i was 8cm (ha up yours snooty midwife) anyway yes it was only because i'd seen some many people saying that they were like 75% effaced and all that jazz and i was thinking "i'm pretty sure i've never had an internal before labour"

OP posts:

RachelWalsh · 21/05/2012 22:44

I think in the US there tends to be more internal examinations as part of antenatal care? Their care seems to be from doctors rather than midwives mainly and far more medicalised as far as I can tell, American pregnancy websites certainly give that impression.

I wouldn't expect an internal until I went in to labour or as with my last pregnancy when I was given a sweep as the precursor to an induction. Which is FINE by me!

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