Cervical checks at 36 weeks!

[lfitzgerald100]

Hey!

Been doing a bit of internet surfing this eve about labor etc and came across some info regarding your 36 week check with the midwife!

I have my 36 week check tomorrow and read that they start doing cervical checks!! I didn't make it this far with my first baby, he was born at 34 weeks.

Does everyone have this done at 36 weeks as I've never heard about it until now?! How is it done? Is it like having a smear test?!

Feeling a bit anxious about it tbh!

I didn't till 40 weeks. You lie on the bed and midwife checks your cervix to see if it's favourable (soft and stretchy) or not. I had a sweep, midwife sweeps finger round cervix to encourage labour to start.
I did not find it painful but was already 2cm and favourable. I imagine if cervix is still hard then it could hurt. As with any examination you can refuse.

I'd like to know as I've Been having strong and regular bh the last 2 days, do they use a speculum or just go for it with fingers (eek!)

I've never heard of anybody having a cervical check at 36 weeks in the UK by a midwife unless they're in labour or there's an actual reason to do it, sounds very bizarre to me (I am a midwife). Where did you read this?

Ive seen it on a thread on netmums and a few other sites, I'm not against having a cervical check if needs be, but its something I'd not heard of before so shocked me a bit.

Never happened to me yet in 3 pregnancies. I think it is routine in the U.S. though.

I personally would decline due the risk of infection.

No one went near my cervix at my 36 week appointment! Don't understand why they would!

Nope. I'm 38+4 and no one's been near my fanjo. You won't be dropping your knickers, don't worry.

They don't do checks until you're in Labour or over 40 weeks for a sweep.

But I've read if you have unexplained spotting or tightenings ect they can check you.

I'm 38+2 and I've been 2cm with bulging waters since last Monday. The past 2 days I've been getting really strong tightening s with dull back ache every 10 minutes and I started spotting last night so I'm going to see if she'll examine me.

Nope, 37+4 here, no-one's touched me.