i expected my midwife would begin checking my progress at week 36, but she didn't, so i let it go, again at week 37 she didn't check, and then at week 38 i finally asked her, and she said she wasn't going to check me at all, that she didn't see a purpose in it as i clearly wasn't in labor..
does this seem strange to anyone else? i don't find being examined pleasent but i would like to know things like if i am dilated at all, if i have effaced, wouldn't you want to know those things??
I go back in tomorrow again for my week 39 check-up and i am throughly discouraged, i don't know if i've made progress or not..
my husband says i should just go with what the midwife says..
what would you do?
2007-10-02 08:36:54 · 16 answers · asked by Kitterkat 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
oh she does check the heartbeat blood pressure all the regular things. but with my last pregnancy, which she was my midwife for a did a great job, she began checking my cervix and keeping track of my progress at week 36, not this time.. i guess i should just ask her too
2007-10-02 08:42:55 · update #1
If you don't have any complications that would require for you to be iduced or have a c-section, she might not check for dilation as there is no use. I have read that in second and subsequent pregnancies dilation might actually start when your contractions start. In my case, I developed high blood pressure and my doctor has been telling me for nearly 2 months now that I might have to be induced and she has never checked even once for dilation, although that is what they wait for in order to have a successful induction. I got checked once in hospital by a different doctor and I was finally scheduled for one check-up by my doctor on Friday. But you know, my due date is Oct. 13th so by Friday I might as well have the baby the normal way. :-) So with doctors you never know - they have their own reasons to do things.
2007-10-02 19:53:33 · answer #1 · answered by petyado 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a doctor with my last pregnancy and he told me the same thing. I kept asking to be checked to see if I was changing or preparing to begin labor. I was hoping for a natural birth after a previous c-section. I had another one planned for my second child if I didn't go into labor. So since they never checked my progress I ended up having a repeat c-section. Just tell you midwife that you are feeling discouraged that she has mad no attempt to check your progression. Tell her that you've been having contractions and you want to know if you're dialating. It's worth a try.
2007-10-02 08:50:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My OB didn't check me internally until I was 40 weeks both times so far.
My sister's doc (different person) checked her at 36 weeks, but only because she'd had some pain...turned out the pain was a bit of dilation. She dilated 2 cm and stayed there until she gave birth at 39 wks 2 days.
Go with the midwife. Early dilation/progress doesn't mean you'll have a faster labour...for some that comes true, for others it doesn't.
When it happens, it happens...and believe me, you'll know!
Good luck!
2007-10-02 08:41:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi...I wasn't checked with my last child but that was because I was scheduled for a c-section, but with my first child I was checked weekly. I thought it was odd that they didn't check me as well for my second. Just because I was having a c-section didn't mean I wasn't dilating or in labor any sooner. I was actually having contractions and such with the second one which no one realized until I was rushed to ER. Please insist that the midwife examine you. It is your child and your body. If you seriously think something is wrong, I would go above the midwife and seek attention elsewhere.
2007-10-02 08:42:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
She should check you at every appt. after 35 or 36 weeks to know how you are progressing... so that when you do go into labor they know. I had an appt on a monday and was dialated to 3 and was about 75% effaced, on wednesday am my water broke but was exactly the same... so tthey had to do things to help me progress (pitocin). You should ask her to check you and if she still doesn't go somewhere else
2007-10-02 08:45:28 · answer #5 · answered by pumpkinseed 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know where you are coming from but your midwife is a professional and knows what she's doing. Even for example if you are indeed dilating it will not be a predictor or when you will go into labor..some women are dilated for weeks even months before labor and some who are not even dilated with go into labor. Just be patient. Good luck!
2007-10-02 08:42:34 · answer #6 · answered by chichibaby 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well honestly how much effaced and dilated you are doesn't really give you an indication of how close labor is. I was dilated to 2 and 100% effaced for 2 weeks. It's really uncomfortable to be checked, I hated it.
2007-10-02 08:49:08 · answer #7 · answered by Melissa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was getting checked every week starting at 35 weeks. She should be checking the babys heartbeat and weight, it does sound a little strange to me.
2007-10-02 08:41:19 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that's dumb i think. my cousin was in labor and had absolutely no idea except that they checked her cervix and she was a 6. she didn't feel any contractions until after they broke her water.
i think you should insist on having her check. and if she won't, then you can always go to the hospital and tell them whats up and they will check for you (even if you don't want to give birth there, they'll still check).
2007-10-02 08:41:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
My midwife checked me weekly at the end!
2007-10-02 08:40:55 · answer #10 · answered by ~∂Їβ~ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋