Question again for moms

[beautybelle]

Its me again. Ok im now 38 weeks pregnant and my son is 9 years old so its been awhile since I've done this BUT Im thinking that my Drs. should be checking me for dilation by now. I went for my check-up today and they done the same old routine as usual and they still didnt check me. My son came on his own at 37 week and Ive told them that and still nothing. They dont know if Maddies getting ready to come or not and I dont either. I dont know where Im at in this pregnancy and Im getting frustrated by the day. Ive had a lot of pain in this one and I feel like its time for her to be here every day. Whats the typical checkup like for you moms at this stage? or am I just getting impatient?

 

[ohiomom28]

I was checked for the first time at 36 weeks. I was 2cm. 4 weeks later I was still 2cm. Another week passed and I was induced and I was 3cm when they started.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I never even dialted with the last 3 They were all c-sections. I want to say by the 38th week he was checking. I should remember this since my youngest is only 5 months but some things are a blur lol

 

[diznygirl]

I was checked at 36 weeks at least - I gave birth at 38 weeks with both my children. But the two different OB's I had were very vague about things towards the end - I think they do that on purpose cuz they can't really make any promises, now can they?

Good luck to you!

 

[daisyduck123]

My DD11 was born 8 days early...I'd never been checked for dilation...although she was born on the day of my next scheduled OB appt. & at my previous appt. my doctor had told me she would check me at that appt.

Well, I never got checked. DD11 weighed 9.8 .....boy were we surprised!

 

[llij]

My doctors usually checked me around 34 weeks. With my 10 yo, I was dialated and 100% effaced at 34 weeks and they put me on bedrest. With my last baby, I wasn't dialated at all when they checked. Due to complications, they ended up taking him at 36 weeks.

Good luck to you!

 

[U2_rocks]

With baby #1 I was checked around 37 weeks. That was a prenatal and birth process that I felt was too managed overall. It was my worst birth, and least healthy baby at birth.

With babies 2 and 3, I was never checked at all. It didn't make the slightest bit of difference either way. I went into labor when I went into labor - knowing how dilated I was at some point prior to labor really wasn't useful. Some women dilate quickly (a matter of hours), some dilate slowly (a matter of days or even weeks). I know very pregnant women HATE to hear this, but how dilated (or not) you are during a check up really has no bearing on when you will be ready for labor. Too many women get hopeful or disappointed based solely on dilation. And, many OB-GYNs rush to induce just because a cervix seems to be moving a little too slowly for their liking, for no reason other than the date on the calendar!

All of this was my way of saying that I see nothing wrong with the fact that you haven't been checked yet! It doesn't seem to be the current standard in the U.S. to wait so long, but please rest assured that there is nothing wrong with waiting! Checking you at 38 weeks isn't going to give you any real information (nothing you can really use anyway). Your body will be ready when it's ready. How it gets there (i.e. the rate your cervix dilates) is something that is unique to you, and there is no way your OB will be able to predict anything about when your labor will start by checking you now. You could be 3 cm dilated and still go another 3 weeks!

Disclaimer: This is MY opinion of course, based on MY research, MY experience and advice from MY childbirth care provider. Not meaning to imply that anyone else's experience or advice is faulty! Can you tell this is a hot topic for me?

 

[DisneyPhD]

I remember with my 2nd around 38 weeks they didn't check me. I rather expected them to, but then thought............. If you don't want to go there, I am not asking for it. DD was born at 39 weeks. I was having some pre labor signs (mild contractions.) On top that that I had started lossing weight and throwing up again.) I think the Doc did push things along with a rather painful examination. (scraping the membrane, but that wasn't offical, because they don't do that anymore. )

It might be if you are not showing any prelabor signs they don't check. If you tell them anything strange is happening, any signs I would guess they check.

If you are uncomfortable, ask them about it. Better safe then sorry.

I think the last 2 weeks are the longsest!

Best of luck. I hope everything is fast, painless (as possible) and most of all safe with a healty delivery of a wonderful new baby!

 

[beautybelle]

Well you all are right, I never really thought about it not doing me any good to know. Again, I guess Im just getting impatient for her to be here. I have had so much pain in the last while that Im just ready for it to be over and get to see her. Send some pixie dust my way, I can sure use it.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Last baby--I was checked for the first time at the hospital. (midwife)

the first baby---I may have been checked once--I don't remember.

 

[Beth76]

I was checked starting at 36 weeks. But, I don't think it's anything that's necessary. It just gives an indication of what's going on down there. It has nothing to do with when you'll go into labor. Women can walk around at 3 cm for several weeks before giving birth and some women can be completely closed and give birth the next day. If you're just curious you could ask to be checked at your next appointment. You're getting close! Good luck!

 

[ElizaB39]

Got checked first at 36 weeks with DD and had her on my due date, I was 4 cm for four weeks. With DS I was 4 cm for two weeks, then induced.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

I think my ob/gyn started checking around 34-36 wks. I was about 50% effaced and around 3 cm dialated. When I went in for the induction, I was still around 50% effaced and close to 4 cm dialated all on my own. Once they gave me the drugs (pitocin) and the epidural, it didn't take very long to get fully dialated and effaced at all!

TOV

 

[jajuan]

I remember waiting impatiently for 36 weeks to come so I could see if anything was happening. I think one of my pregnancies they waited until 37 or 38 weeks. I know it doesn't matter either way, but I did like knowing. It made the anticipation fun.