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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Do they look at your bits at 38 week appointment?

12 replies

Lula2515 · 22/10/2014 21:39

Like do they have a little look down below at 38 week GP appointment to see if you're at all dilated?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Essexgirlupnorth · 22/10/2014 21:40

Didn't at mine first internal exam was when I went into hospital in labour

Original poster

Lula2515 · 22/10/2014 21:42

Bum. Don't know where I got that from then...maybe just wishful thinking that they'd tell me I was already in early labour!

OP posts:

ShakyTheStork · 22/10/2014 21:43

No we don't.

However, you can have a membrane sweep on or after your due date, if you wish.

Bellyrub1980 · 23/10/2014 05:14

Shaky, my next midwife appointment is my due date. Do they routinely do an internal then? Or do they only look if they're intending to do a sweep?

(If the midwife doesn't offer me a sweep do you think she'd mind if I asked for one?)

GozerTheGozerian · 23/10/2014 05:29

My midwife said they don't offer a sweep until you're over 40 weeks with your first baby, or 41 weeks with your second or more. No mention of any other internals - think they prefer to keep any interference to a minimum.

Bellyrub1980 · 23/10/2014 05:34

Are they painful? I find smears quite uncomfortable (massive wuss here!!) so I'm guessing it wI'll be worse than that!!

(Can't believe I'm asking that when a baby is going to pass through my cervix within the next 2 weeks!)

Really hope she does one though like OP, if nothing else but to see if I'm at all dilated.

Rockchick1984 · 23/10/2014 07:16

Belly I had 2 sweeps done - first one didn't hurt although was a bit uncomfortable like a smear test. It did nothing other than dislodge a bit more of my plug. Second one was done by a far more "enthusiastic" midwife - absolute agony, bled a bit afterwards, and went into labour that night

RebeccaCloud9 · 23/10/2014 12:51

I've just had my 40 week appt - no internal. They have booked me in for a sweep at 41 weeks and don't do it before that here. (really hoping baby comes of its own accord before then!)

Bellyrub1980 · 23/10/2014 13:13

I think it might be the same in my area, a normal routine appointment at 40 weeks, sweep at 41 and induction at 42.

ShakyTheStork · 26/10/2014 21:56

Belly We only do a vaginal examination for a sweep, and only if you want it. You do not have to have a sweep if you prefer not to, totally your choice.

It can be uncomfortable, in my experience, some women find it more painful than others..

I had a sweep on my due date and went into labour 2 days later

ShakyTheStork · 26/10/2014 21:59

Gozer when you have had a baby before! we offer a sweep at 41 weeks, HOWEVER, if you were to ask for one at 40 weeks we would most certainly do it for you. Make sure you ask

ShakyTheStork · 26/10/2014 22:00

Oops random ! In that post. Sorry

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