Vaginal exams in late pregnancy

[Fibilou]

I had my 36 week appointment today at 36+3 and was kind of expecting that I might get some sort of v/e or check to see if baby has started engaging. All she did was BP, urine, FHB and measure bump. I don't have another appointment until 38 weeks.

Is it normal to be this hands-off ? I certainly don't have a problem with that, would prefer no V/Es at all. Just wondered what other peoples' experiences have been.

I had an independent midwife and had no VEs whatsover during my entire pregnancy. Also only had one during labour as she suspected my cervix still had a lip when I was pushing (she was right).

I preferred it that way! Although she would have examined me if I had asked.

To be honest though, I don't think they need to do a VE to check for engagement - that's done by feeling the baby's head from the outside. They see how much head (by finger widths) can be felt above the pelvic bone and that tells you how engaged you are. A VE would check how dilated you are.

Yes, normal, and certainly preferable! They can feel how engaged baby is by palpating your bump. No need to go sticking fingers up your fanjo!

Ah, I see.

Hello fibilou - I am due the same day as you and had my check today as well. The consultant had a good feel around the bump as well as the usual measuring, BP, urine check etc. From the feel of the baby she told me the position etc - I don't remember having any V/E with my last pregnancy either until I was in labour.

I didnt have any vaginal exam with dd until I was in labour.

With this baby I havent had any either but a friend who attended the same Consultant this year told me that she didnt have any exam until she had gone a few days overdue and was given a sweep.

They can tell if baby has engaged by palpatating (sp?) your stomach or by ultrasound so dont think internal exam is necessary to tell..

Goodo. To think I wasted a nice pair of pants for the occassion

Fanjo is still my favourite word of the moment Flamingo I really don't know why though!

I had none at all from week 10 to delivery! I only had one at week 10 because I had a major bleed.

I had one at 24 weeks in hospital as I'd had a bit of bleeding. Wasn't expecting it, and was mortified about my non-tidy bush and hairy thighs

I didn't have any with ds1.

Had 3 with ds2, at 40+2, 40+3, 40+4. Had pre-eclampsia though and was being monitored a lot.

lol Fibilou - thought that was just me.

I actually put on a new one this morning just incase I had considered having a "tidy" but cant see it..

at non tidy bushes. I remember trying to trim by peering around the side of the bump (I though a mirror was too risky as might get confused)

If you read any American books or websites, they talk about the fanjo treatment. Most American women go along with it, but it fine to decline.

None with dd until in labour.
None with ds1 until in labour.
None with ds2 at all.

fanjo treatment?

excessive interference i think. they start sweeps at 37 weeks there