I had two during labour with DD1, none during the pregnancy. The first one as by my midwife when we first arrived at the hospital to check my dilation and boy did it hurt! I didn't mind having one though as I was interested to see how far along I was (3cm, 2 hrs after SROM). The second internal was when I was fully dilated and I didn't feel it as I'd had an epidural.

With DD2, I had one at 38 weeks as my OB offered a S&S. I could have easily declined and he wasn't the least bit fussed or pushy but I was over yet another very painful pregnancy at that point so I cheerfully accepted It didn't feel much different to a pap smear and was over with so quickly. During her labour I had two internals. One by my midwife when we arrived at the hossi (approx 1hr after SROM) and the second when the OB arrived. The first was a bit uncomfy but bearable. I was 2-3cm and not contracting much, if at all. I ended up having a 37 minute labour and my OB announced when he arrived that it would be quick and wanted to check me out. I dilated from 6-10cm within 5 minutes. That internal was very painful but any wonder when DD was literally about to fly out! Hearing my OB say '6cm dilated, no make that 7. This baby is almost here!' (or something to that effect) was very uplifting!