Internal exam?

What exactly happens during an internal exam? Is it painful? And did your Dh go in with you? I have one coming up in a little over a week. I'm scared. I want Dh there for support but I'm not sure that would be weird or awkward for him. Help! This is the one thing about pregnancy that scares the heck out of me (well besides being in labor).

Re: Internal exam?

Mine wasn't painful, but it is uncomfortable. The dr lubes up and sticks his or her fingers inside to feel your cervix.

I didn't have a painful internal until I was in labor. Then the pressure is really intense.

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I had one last night.

Depending on your OB, it will be done 1 of 2 ways.

1. The doctor lubes fingers up and feels your cervix and the position of the baby's head. This is how my Dr did his internal exam.

2. The Dr uses a "dildo" with camera on it, covered by a "condom" to see an exact picture of your cervix. This is how they did internals on my SIL.

Plus, they will swab you to test you for strep.

Re: Internal exam?

I've had 2 internals so far and I think I psyched myslef up for this big huge ordeal and its all over within 5 seconds. Its as quick as a pap. I happen to get very crampy afterwards (so don't be alarmed - and i've heard some women spot). You'll do great!

Re: Internal exam?

I have had 2 so far and while they weren't painful they were a little more uncomfortable then a regular GYN visit. I did spot after my 2nd one and my OB assured me that is normal and nothing to worry about. I also was crampy after both but the feeling went away fairly quickly.

Re: Internal exam?

They usually stick their fingers in and feel how dilated ans effaced you are and also will usually gently push against the baby's head and wait for the bounce-back to see what station the baby is at.

It's not much more invasive than a regular yearly pap. If they strip your membranes, that's supposed to hurt, but they don't usually do that.

I bled for 24 hours after my first internal (37 weeks) but didn't after any of the others (38 & 39). It really scared me to be bleeding that much bright red blood.

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had my first one today, no worries, not painful

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not painful and over in 5 seconds. it sounds SO much worse than it is

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it's only really uncomfortable when they check you during labor. but after the epidural it's cake!

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I've never had a painful one in all three of my pregnancies...but I just had one today, and now I am having intense contractions (I was having them before but not as intense)

Re: Internal exam?

DH is going to see a whole lot very soon, so don't be worried about him For me, the internals were never painful and they were very quick.....like 10 seconds.