are internals the norm??

[Jen & Her Men]

I was wondering who else has had an internal to check how their cervix is doing to give an idea of how "ready" your body is for labour.

I havent had one but I know a lot of girls i have spoke to on here have had one before their due date. (I know its the norm to get this checked once you pass your due date)

Im just curious cos i would like to know whether my cervix is still high etc or if its starting to soften and didnt know if it was not a usual thing for them to check this around 37 weeks or so....

??

 

[mary70]

i didnt have one with either of mine

 

[leckershell]

No, I just had a sweep at t+9, and every hour or so at hospital (when I went in to have him..!) to see how well I was dilating.

 

[Kimbo]

i had an attempted sweep last wednesday when i was 39+3 but she couldnt do it, and she just said my cervix was high and posterior and tightly closed.
same this morning too. but i'd never had an internal before (except for when i was being monitered, but that wouldnt have happened otherwise)

 

[muppetmummy]

I didn't have any internals prior to labour with James, but then I went into labour at 38 weeks

 

[trixipaws]

i didnt hav any internals til i was in labour. i asked about it at my 39+4 weeks MW app, but they said they dont like to do them "unnecesarily" coz theres a risk of infection.

 

[Lou]

I didnt have any until I had my sweep and then when I was in labour. You have ALOT when you are in labour. I hate them so much I had to have loads of gas and air before they could examine me each time

 

[xkikix]

I really hate internals!! I dont know whether i'm just a big wimp but I find them so so painful. I've had to have 2 so far in this pregnancy cus of a small bleed and they always say "This wont hurt, just a bit uncomfortable..." and i am in absolute agony! I get told of cus I lift my bum up. Is it normal to find them so sore? Imagine how i'm gonna be for the actual birth!!!

 

[Full of hope!]

I've just seen my midwife today at 39 weeks and she didn't mention an internal at all. I haven't had one during my pregnancy.

 

[minxie]

Ive had a few internals and have been 1cm dilated for weeks now.

I think they only carry them out if they have cause to do so (e.g. complications, signs of early labour). I dont think its the norm to carry them out before term in a normal pregnancy 'just to check'.

For those who hate the thought of them ...I found that the best thing is to try and not dread them and it just makes you tense up more. Just focus on 'it'll be over soon' when it is internal time and that will get you through.

 

[KJL]

I've personally never been offered or had an internal up until now so I assume it's not the norm. I just had one today because I've been leaking a bit so the Dr. wanted to take a swab to send away just to check for infections etc. I think they only really do them if there is something to check for?