Spinoff for internals

I learned in my childbirth education class that they are completely unnecessary unless they are checking to see if you are ready to be admitted to the hospital to deliver. I plan on refusing all internals besides that one. Anyone else? (of course I understand there might be other circumstances that warrant them, I'm strictly talking about the routine "let's see how close you are" exams)

Spinoff for internals

Just out of curiosity, why will you refuse them? Is there any harm to the baby from them?

Spinoff for internals

I understand these things are low but there could be a risk of infection, or accidental rupture of the membranes. Even at a low risk, why bother if not necessary......

Re: Spinoff for internals

I would not refuse an internal exam....they do them to check and make sure everything is ok and progressing as it should be. They are going to do internals when your at the hospital. I don't see any reason to refuse them

Spinoff for internals

Just adding my 2 cents...I had a CS with DS#1 because he was breech with the cord around his neck (no ability to even try for an external version) I never had an internal to see if there was anything going on...not even at the hospital before the CS (which was done at exactly 39wks) I don't know that for you refusing them would be the best thing to do, I would suggest doing research on both having and not having them before making a decision based on the opinion of 1 person teaching a child birth class..HOWEVER...since I never had one I don't think they really are all the necessary. I was so desperate to go into labor I even asked the to doc to do one "just to check" and he laughed and told me there was no need. Good Luck to you!!! Hopefully you and your doc can come up with the best course of action for your individual pregnancy

Message edited 12/28/2012 11:55:50 PM.

Re: Spinoff for internals

Ehh I had 4 before I went into labor with DD and could see how many feel they are unnecessary. Basically, they tell you nothing because I was almost 4 cm dilated for 3 weeks before I went into labor. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to refuse them, but I am going to ask the dr not to tell me how dilated/not dilated I am because it stressed me out.

Re: Spinoff for internals

http://www.nurturingheartsbirthservices.com/blog/?p=50

The opinion above sums up how I feel about them. I have had two kids. The first with an OB who started checking my cervix at 37 weeks and started my "impending"labor anxiety by telling me I was 2cm, then 3, then 4 with progressing effacement, and telling me it could be anyday. Ruined the last three weeks of my pregnancy.

My second DC was with a midwife, who reluctantly checked me at 40weeks after I demanded because I wanted validation that my body was getting ready. I was geared up to hear 4cm dilated so I was heartbroken that she told me 1cm and very posterior but she reassured me it will happen in due time. He was born 10 days later. She was right, there was no point in checking!

Re: Spinoff for internals

I feel there is no real reason for them unless you're having issues of possibly going into preterm labor. My doctor did one when I was having spotting in the third trimester to make sure I wasn't having cervical changes. Other than that I think they just confuse and stress people out. You can be dilated for weeks or go from nothing to full blown labor in hours. There really is no benefit to having them but I still don't think I'll refuse them. I pick my battles with my doctors. They did go to school for this after all.

Re: Spinoff for internals

Spinoff for internals

My OB didn't do an internal before I was in the hospital. He does a sono at every appt so he said they weren't necessary since he could see the position of the baby on the sono. He said he would do one at the end to try to stir things up, but my water broke the day I had my 40 weeks appt.

Re: Spinoff for internals

My first internal (routine) is the one that they realized something was not right. They did what I was told was my last sono at 31 weeks. All looked good. During my internal they dr sensed that the baby is not head down. (they could not tell from feeling my belly) they did a sono and realized that he was footling breech. This was at 37 weeks. With only 2 weeks to go. I am glad that they found this at that time. There are so many complications if I was to go into labor and or my water to break since he was feet down.