I am going to be 39 weeks pregnant next week. I have not received any pelvic exams [excluding a pap on my first visit, and a strep-B test at 36 weeks]. I have not received any vaginal exams as I am high-risk [bicornuate uterus/low amniotic fluids/grade 3 placenta] and was told no vaginal stimulation is prefered. I received 4 ultrasounds a week and 4 NST's [non stress tests, monitoring of the babys heart and my contractions] a week. My baby is head-down [NOT transverse/breech].
I was told at 39 weeks they will check my cervix for dilation. How do they check? My Mom says they only use a finger and feel up there.. I am convinced this would not work and they must use a speculum and actually look up there.. Right?
If I'm receiving NST's and ultrasounds 4 times a week to monitor positioning of baby and both the health of baby and I, is there really any reason I NEED to be checked vaginally???
I don't care how dilated I am, should I? I will get checked if I have contractions.
2007-10-04 18:24:04 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous Person 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
They will put on a sterile glove and use 2 finger to check. This is a more accurate test then looking with a speculum.
I'm confused as to why they didn't want any vaginal stimulation though, you'd think with all those problems they would want to stimulate you to go into labor.
You need to be checked to see if you are dilating and favorable for induction, it's always good to get a baseline exam before someone goes into labor.
2007-10-04 18:28:21 · answer #1 · answered by Leizl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, given the fact that you are gestationally due at 37 weeks, they probably want to give you a pelvic to determine if you have dialted at all because by doing so, the doctor can begin to make decisions about maybe inducing you labor if you haven't dialted at all (generally, the cervix can sit a 2cm dilated for some time before giving birth) or if he checks and sees that you have started to dilate, he may wait to see what happens natually. Actually, fingers do work and have worked for quite sometime. They can feel the opening of your cervix and fell how open your cervix is by how many, or how much of on fingertip can get just through the entrance (or exit, HAHA!). An ultrasound does not tell you how open the cervix is, so yes this est is needed. Do not worry; I am sure your doctor has delivered a baby a time or two, and he or she is not ordering anything any different than the rest of us moms has had. Blessings....
2016-05-21 04:40:16 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your mum is right they will just insert a couple of fingers to check if there is a gap in your cervix or if it is still hard or soft, and this would show that you are dilating. They need to know so they can tell if you are going to go into labour soon. I suppose they wouldn't do it unless they thought it was necessary and it is a very quick thing to do and painless. They can't check any other way and they do not need a speculum to do it.
Voice your concerns to the doctor at the time and see what they say. I'm sure all will be well and it will give you an idea of what sort of progress you are making at this stage.
2007-10-04 19:04:46 · answer #3 · answered by Cindy; mum to 3 monkeys! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's true .. they use their index and middle finger to see if you are dilated. (that is how they tell if anyone, even in a normal pregnancy, if you are dilated and if your baby is head-down) Also, you being high-risk, that is why they do NOT want to put anything more than 2 fingers up there because it can jump start contractions and cause you to dilate quicker! it sounds like they need to keep a close eye on you and be prepared when you start to go into labor.
2007-10-04 18:33:32 · answer #4 · answered by Mommy of One 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think they would use a spec. You would get a better knowledge of the cervix and placenta. I would not worry. A finger a spec they both with cause some distress. But your 39 weeks.
And at 39 weeks it is safe. Your considered full term at 37 weeks to induce.
I was high risk myself with all 3 of my boys. And everyone said try not to worry. And I wanted to smack them. So, i wont tell you. But I am thinking it...LOL
2007-10-04 18:34:10 · answer #5 · answered by charontheloose 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you are 39 weeks then if you are completely safe if you were to go into labor from a vaginal exam but your mom is right when they check for dilation and effacement they don't use a speculum they don't even need to.
2007-10-04 18:34:15 · answer #6 · answered by lizincali 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, your mom is right. They check with fingers and can tell how dilated you are by feel only. It might be a little uncomfortable, especially if your cervix is high and posterior, making it difficult to reach.
2007-10-04 18:29:10 · answer #7 · answered by Take A Test! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No your mom is right they'll use a glove and press upside and press down on your belly at the same time. Just relax everything will be ok.
2007-10-04 19:47:35 · answer #8 · answered by Wendie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your mum is right honey. They use 2 fingers.
2007-10-04 18:32:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
your mom is right
2007-10-04 18:26:57 · answer #10 · answered by evanlah 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋