I am 33 wks, is this normal?

Question

Im 33 wks pregnant. I have been to all my scheduled appts and theres a few things people say that should have been done that I havent had yet.
1) I havent had a pelvic exam (down there) since my first appt at 12 wks
2) I have no birthing plan
3) They havent given me a guess at how much she will weigh
4) I havent got a tour of the hospital where she will be born

This is my first pregnancy so I can only go by what people tell me. My co workers and family think im missing out on stuff. So what do you think? Should I have had this stuff done by now.

Answer 1

1) They typically only do one pelvic exam during your pregnancy. Unless your pap smear comes back abnormal.When you hit 36 weeks the doctor will check every visit to see if you're dilated.
2) You need to know what you want from this birthing experience.
Are you going to do everything with out pain meds. Are you going to want to breastfeed right after delivery.
3)They really don't do that until the last couple of weeks because in the last month the baby puts on up to 1/2 pound every week.
4) You have to go up to the hospital yourself and ask to see the rooms. Some things to ask when you go are:
-What are the visiting hours ? some hospitals let people come and go as they please.
-Are there private recovery rooms?
- How many anesthiologist are there on a typical night ?


You still have plenty of time. But soon enough you will become crazy and start nesting. You will feel like there's not enough time to get things done. So you need to prioritize.

Answer 2

ALL NORMAL! Doing another pelvic exam too soon can start early labor for some women. You might (depending on your doctor) have a pelvic at 38 or 39 weeks to check your uterus and if you have dialated, but unless you are actually in labor, or are having pains of some kind, no pelvic is necessary until you get ready to have the baby. Then they'll check to see how far along in labor you are.

You aren't missing out on anything really. If you feel the NEED to have a birthing plan, then have one printed out before you go to the hospital to have your baby and have it ready to give to the nurse when you get there. I never had a "birth plan" with any of my kids. They are good to have though if you are adamit about not having drugs or an epidural. Most hospitals now will ask what you want though first.

For the weight question, you just cannot give a good guess on how much a baby will weigh. My OBGyn guesstimated with my first one to be around 7lbs before she was born...she was 9lbs 2oz. Most Dr.'s don't like to give a guess because each pregnancy is so different and each child grows at different weights.

If you want a tour of the hospital where you'll be giving birth, call the labor and delivery/birth center and ask when tours are given. These people are very nice, and will be VERY helpful. OH, and you can also ask them if they have a "birthing plan" available to fill out. I've had three babies now; my third one is now 7 months old. So if you have any more questions, or would like someone to chat with, don't hesitate to email me. Good luck!

~Alysa K.

Answer 3

Your doctor decides if you need the pelvic exam or not.

You have to ask for a tour of the hospital, and you have to ask your Dr about how much he/she thinks the baby will weigh. As for a birthing plan - I'm not sure what you mean by that. My birthing plan was simply to have the baby as quickly as possible! I was offered prenatal classes, free in Ontario, but I didn't find them very useful at all and only stayed half the day.

When the time came - two weeks late, as it turned out - I got to the hospital, and the nurses took over completely. They showed me what to do and how to do it, arranged for the epidural and so on, and before I knew it the baby was there! No plan, really - just a natural process. The only thing I wish I had done was to bring something to bite down on during the labour pains. My son was coming so fast that the epidural had no time to work - but luckily I had ten REAALYY hard contractions in about an hour - and on the eleventh, I deliverd my boy. Whoosh!

So I wouldn't worry too much... but remember, unless you ask, you won't get what you want or need. Call the hospital and arrange that tour... tell the Dr to tell you how big your baby is... and discuss your "birthing plan" with whoever will be there during the delivery - your mom/sister/husband/partner whatever.

Good luck, and don't worry too much. It will all work out.

Cheers,

Samlet

Answer 4

Fist off... congrats on you pregnancy! I have 4 kids myself and love being pregnant.

1. There is no need for another pelvic exam until you are 36 - 38 weeks.

2. There is really no need for a birthing plan but one would be nice. Most women just go with the flow.

3. You can always ask your doc at your next visit if he/she has any clue at how big baby will be. It is hard to tell though.

4. A tour of the hospital might not be a bad idea but it is not totally necessary.

If you ever have any questions never hesitate to ask your doc. He/she is there to answer your questions no matter how silly you make think they are.

Good luck!!

Answer 5

I am 38 weeks and i havent had a pelvic exam at all and i am with a good obstetrician. He did mention that he will be giving me one on Monday though.

I have no birth plan...........i have told my husband my wishes in relation to pain relief etc but i dont think they are necessary.

I didnt get an indication of the expected birth weight until 34 weeks so that is normal.

I had the tour when i went to prenatal classes. If you didnt go to classes perhaps you should just call the hospital and ask can you come in and look around.

Good luck - I dont think you have missed much although i was glad to see the place where i would be giving birth - nice to imagine my surrounds whilst i am going through all that pain.

Good luck and congrats

Answer 6

Well.. I too have not had a pelvic exam and I am 30 wks. It is not necessary to do if you are not having any problems. If you want a birthing plan.. you can either ask the hospital you are going to deliver at or locate one online and print it out..Huggies.com even has a birthing plan you can use. When you are at your next appt just ask the tech how much they thinks she weighs. To have a tour of the hospital.. you will have to go up there or call and ask if you need to schedule it. I was recent doing bloodwork at the hospital and was walking around to check things out and a nurse passed me and ask if I needed help.. told her I was just checking it out and she gave me a grand tour. It was very cool and I am very excited about delivering there. Good luck and congrats!
I am 30wks and 2days along.

Answer 7

The exam may take place later. That's normal.

I don't know how many people these days have birthing plans, but I don't think one is necessary.

It may be too early to guess about weight, and that may not be something your doctor does anyway.

I don't know how many people get tours of the hospital, but I don't think that's necessary either. When you go into labor you go in, and someone will let you know the admitting desk is. You go to the labor suite, have labor, go the delivery room, have the baby, go to another room that has the nursery nearby, and leave within 48 hours. It isn't a four-year stay at college.

I don't think you're missing out on anything, and maybe your doctor isn't big on some of the things people do these days. You should ask the doctor.

Answer 8

some doctors dont offer you the tour but you should be able to go to the hospital and tell them that you are registerd there and it is the hospital you are giving birth in and just ask for the tour.

at your next appointment just ask "can you give me a general idea on how much she weighs?" keep in mind they can be off by about two pounds...sometimes more sometimes less.

I dont have a birthing plan either... lol i just know how i want things to be done and i will talk with my doctor about it at my next appointment. go to www.babycenter.com and look around all their pregnancy and birthing stuff i know they have a guide line you can print and fill out to use as your birthing plan. Do that and bring it in to your doctor at your next appointment.

you dont get many internal exams unless something is wrong. I dont think i had any until i had some spotting and then since im now 36 weeks they have been checking my cervix. soon they will have to test for GBS they will take this werid q-tip like thing and one will have to touch your bum and the other swabs your vagina. this is to make sure you dont carry an infection that can pass to the baby durring birth. look it up on google. just type in GBS or group B strep and you should find some good info on it.

if you have anything you want to talk to your doctor about just ask. you have the right to know anything and everything.

Answer 9

I am nearly 38 weeks, i have never had a pelvic exam. I do have a birth plan but thats cause there is one to fill out in my medical notes, so i filled it out. I have been told by midwife that my baby feels a good size but no estimated weight.. Lastly i have been told they do do tours on sundays at my local birthing centre and hospital labour ward but i have not got round to it. Maybe if you ask your care giver about the things you want to know they can fill you in.. Good luck!

Answer 10

im almost 28 weeks! the first time i had a pelvic exam was about when you did! and that would of been the only time..but i was having servere cramping..and they wanted to see if i was in labor and to check for std's ect...but it all came up normal..

i still dont have a birthing plan..but the way it is lookin im having a big baby soo i would probably need a c-section..i still dont know how much he weighs and stuff..

the only time when i went for a tour of the birthing place..i was getting my blood drawn for the down syndrome..and my parents were visting from NY..so we decided to swing by there!!

this is my first pregnancy also!! and my mom didnt go threw this b/c me and my sister were both adopted!