When does the doctor start vaginal exams again? I'm 32 weeks pregnant.?

Question

Just wondering when the doctor is going to start checking down there. What is the doctor looking for?

Answer 1

Usually they start at 35 or 36 weeks.

First of all, the docotr needs to check to see if you are "colonized" with Group Beta Streph (GBS) infection down there, so they do a vaginal swab culture. If you are, and 20 percent to 30 percent of women are at any given time, they will give you antibiotics during delivery at the hospital just as a preventive measure. GBS is harmless to you but in very rare exceptional circumstances can infect the baby.

When it comes to pelvic exams starting in week 35 or 36, the doctor is looking to see how "effaced" your cervix is (how thin) and how "dialated" your cervix is.

Unfortunately, contrary to popular belief, NEITHER of these measures is valuable in predicting when your labor is going to come, so there is not much value in doing them. And there is some risk with doctors putting their hands up there, primarily an increased infection risk. They can also accidentally rupture your bag of waters, although this is probably a remote risk.

Plus they can be uncomfortable. Not all docs do these extra pelvic exams and feel free to decline them if you don't want them. I sure am going to, since they don't give you any valuable information and are uncomfortable and risky.

Answer 2

No doctor here checks the woman unless she is having problems or she is contracting. Unless your contracting, there's really no reason for the doctor to be checking you, it just increases your risk of infection.

With my 1st son I didn't get checked until I was 42 weeks because the doctor needed to know if I would be okay getting cervadil put in.

With my 2nd son I was checked when I went into labor at 40 weeks.

Answer 3

Mine just did for the first time since the initial exam-- i'm 36 weeks. The last one was to do a swap for a bacteria test (make sure there's nothing that can harm baby-- its a common test) and then after that I think they continue each week to check for dilation.

Answer 4

It depends on your doctor, but most start the internal exams at 36 weeks. This is when you should start having appointments once a week instead of every two.

Answer 5

Unless you are having frequent Braxton Hicks they won't start checking until around 36 weeks to see if you are dilating or anything. I got checked around 33 weeks cuz of BH's but not again until 37 weeks. This is typical because I asked this question before too.
Take care.

Answer 6

Effacement and dilation are very poor predictors of labour. Really if you ask any reasonable doctor they will tell you there is no reason to preform vaginal checks until labour is well progressed.

It is just a crazy habit that the medical profession has gotten into.

Answer 7

Around 36 weeks

Answer 8

You will probably start having checks at 36 weeks. At that time, they will do a smear to check for Strep B. They also will be checking for dilation, effacement or thinning of your cervix, and where baby's head is. Good luck!

Answer 9

In your last month the doctor will do exams again checking to see if you are dilated and to see if the baby's head has dropped.

Answer 10

My doctor didn't check me until 39 weeks. When he did check me he checked to see if I was dialated any and he stripped my membranes. He told me he didn't do internal exams, but at 39 weeks I was ready to be invaded! There is really no reason to do exams until 38 weeks anyways.