when did your doctor/midwife start checking for dialation?
Bymine hasn’t yet, i’m 37 wks with my first & have been having a lot of cramping & braxton hicks, my baby has been head down for 10 wks and has started dropping these past couple weeks… i’m worried that she might come early!
when do they check for dialation?
do you think i might be dialating already?
Related posts:
- When does a midwife usually start checking for dilation/effacement?
- How many weeks were you when your OB/Midwife started checking you for dilation?
- How soon should you see the doctor or midwife?
- When does the midwife start checking for dilation UK?
- im 37 weeks pregnant and my midwife hasnt done a internal check ?
11 Comments
April 22nd, 2010 at 2:32 am
Mine started at the 36 week appointment and every week there after. Good luck to you.
April 22nd, 2010 at 2:45 am
36 weeks when i complained of severe abck pain and pressure
April 22nd, 2010 at 3:36 am
If you’re 37 weeks, don’t worry about her coming early. You are considered a full term pregnancy. They will probably start checking you this week or next week, depending on your doctor’s preference.
April 22nd, 2010 at 3:59 am
The last couple of weeks, so maybe when you go either this week or next, they should start checking.
April 22nd, 2010 at 4:38 am
IF they do routine checks, they usually start around 37-38 weeks. But many doctors and midwives do not routinely check anymore, because there is no medical benefit in knowing if you are starting to dilate or not. You could be closed and 25% effaced and go into labor tomorrow, or you could be 4cm and 100% and not go into labor for weeks.
But with every check does come a slight risk for infection. Most doctors consider risk vs. benefit, and since there is virtually no benefit other than satisfying your curiosity, they err on the side of caution and do not check.
You probably could be dilating. Many women dilate and efface gradually over the last few weeks of pregnancy. If you’re having a lot of cramping and contractions, increase your fluid intake overall, but during these episodes of contractions drink some water and lie down on your left side. Even the mildest dehydration will cause uterine irritability. If they keep coming, start timing them.
Good luck!
April 22nd, 2010 at 5:33 am
My first dialation check was when I went into the hospital to have my son at 41 weeks. Alot of doctors don’t do them anymore because they can’t tell you how close you are to labor just by dialation. Some women sit at a 2 or 3 for weeks before delivery. Dialation checks just cause a woman unneccesary discomfort and they irritate the cervix. Most doctors will only check you if you’ve been having active contractions. They just want to make sure that you are below 4 cm. At a 4 your chances for infection go up significantly, so alot of doctors will induce at this point. Other than that count yourself lucky if you don’t have to get one! IMO, they are the most painful part of pregnancy!
Good luck and congrats!
April 22nd, 2010 at 5:56 am
I had an internal exam at 36 weeks but wasn’t making any progress, so they didn’t do one at 37. They did another at 38 weeks and said my cervix is softening. If you feel you need to be checked out, tell your doctor how you’re feeling. The cramping and increase in Braxton Hicks could mean you’re effacing and starting to dilate. Best of luck and congrats!
April 22nd, 2010 at 6:06 am
Mine checked when I said I had been having some contractions early on. I would be sure to let them know.
April 22nd, 2010 at 6:30 am
36 weeks
at 38 weeks I had a lot of cramping and braxtons… I was not dilated at all just had a soft cervix.
April 22nd, 2010 at 7:19 am
I believe mine started checking around 36 weeks. however, you don’t need to panic about her coming early, as anytime after 37 weeks is acceptable.
April 22nd, 2010 at 8:15 am
My doc just checked me last week but it was only because I asked him to. I was a fingertip dilated which he said was basically nothing at all. Of course it will help when it comes time to induce me because it means the cervix is already softening up. The closer and closer I get to birth the more and more amazing it is to me how much different every pregnancy really is.