OB appointment at 40wks.....wants to give VE? Should I?
I had a MW appointment today at the hospital (39wk check) and she said to come back in a week for my 40 wk check up but this time it will be to see the Dr/OB on duty for a VE and to see where I'm at..... see if my cervix is favourable and if i'm dialated at all..... ( i thought to myself Eeeeek! cos i was hoping to avoid this until im in labour)
From those experienced mothers who have done this before me........I need some advice!
Should I get the VE done or refuse? What will it prove? If I'm not dialated it may only worry me and then the OB may want to start talking about inductions etc which I do NOT want to discuss until I'm overdue and then overdue by at least 7 days!
What did you do at your 40wk check up? Did you have an internal done and what did it prove?
I would only agree to one if it's what you want. Personally I did because I'd had a lot of prelabour and wanted to know if it had done anything, so it was for a bit of mental relief
If you don't want a stretch and sweep done make sure you tell them if you do have a VE.
Sounds like you have answered it yourself hun, if you think you will be worried then I would just refuse until you are 41 weeks when they can do a S & S as well. There really is no need to have one at 40 weeks and just increases risk of infection etc.
ETA: I had one at 40 weeks because of prelabour as well and had a S & S too.
I had one with my Ob at 40 weeks and my cervix was closes and they we talked about inductions BUT that was because I had HIGH BP and it was rising, My induction was then schedualed for 4 days after that.
Its up to you of you would like the exam - I choose to have it as I wanted to know when I was up to. Its not the most comfortable thing but it was ok.
You will have PLEANTY of VE when you are in labour or being induced.
I've had some prelabour pains and things going on the last few days/couple of weeks however not sure if that's enough to warrant me getting a VE?
I'd be curious to know if I'm dialated or not but it doesn't matter if I'm not at 40 weeks does it?? Some women aren't until they are few days over?
I guess I feel i just want to let my body do it's thing naturally and if i get a VE, it may only stress me out unnecessarily which won't help bring on labour
I DID have one because I'd been having a few pains and DP can potentially work long distances away and I was getting myself into a bit of a flap. So for me it was good because it 'proved' that I hadn't been imagining things because I was 2cm dilated but also that nothing was going to happen that afternoon. And I didn't find it uncomfortable, invasive or in any way yeuky.
But horses for courses. If you think it will have the opposite effect for you and it will start you getting worried unnecessarily, then definitely refuse. Your body.
Ah Ren, if it were me, I wouldn't. It doesn't tell you much at that point anyway, does it?
You will know when you are in labour, you are not interested in even talking about induction at such an early stage, so what good will it possibly do? It can't tell you how quickly your cervix is going to dilate, and even if it is 'unfavourable' at that point, there's nothing saying it will stay that way for long, KWIM?
At my 40wk check we did everything as normal. Booked me in for another check at 41 weeks at which point they said we'd "discuss" induction. My 40wk appt was just like another appointment.
Your choice though, of course! You may be dying of curiosity and want to know But it is your decision so don't be bullied into it if you decide you don't want one.
Only consent to one if *you* think the information would be useful to *you*. "Favourable"? Why does the OB want to know that unless s/he's planning an induction? When you're in labour, your cervix is by definition "favourable".
There is no need for a pelvic exam barring complications. It will not give useful clinical information as a cervix can go from high, hard and unripe to low, soft and ripe in a matter of hours. And then it can stay that way for weeks without any further progress.
If you are getting fed up and you need some encouragement, then that's a different matter - also, if you want a stretch and sweep at term to hurry things along, again, there's a reason for that.
But unnecessary PEs raise the risk of rupture of membranes before you *are* ready, and introducing infection. If you don't want one, just say no.
I refuse them during labour unless I request them. I have only had them during labour twice in five deliveries.
what Kelly said !! and TBH, why can't you have a feel for yourself, without the OB? if you squat you might be able to reach around..
in my opinion, it's unneccesary, especially if you are in pre-labour, and risks infection, especially if you ARE a little dilated and have lost your plug.
i'd be questioning the OB's reasons, and asking for written information to take home and think on before you go to the appointment.
The appointment well really well - VE wasn't even offered!! The MW i had last week should not have said that they'd do a VE!!! she got me worried for nothing....I saw the hospital's OB (all women do at 40wks) this time and he just said jump up on the bed and lie down and he felt my tummy, bub's position, heartbeat and then checked my BP.... all great. Baby engaged nicely..... he said to come back next week (Tues) for my weekly and they may do a VE then to see how my cervix is going......
Who knows by that stage I *may* want a VE being 41wks.... Or maybe not..... I'll decide at the time.
Had lots of nice prelabour pains last few days and sometimes when it feels like it's starting it stops! Hopefully any day now..... before Tuesday would be great!!!! bub is VERY quiet today..... hope its a sign!!
Hossy won't induce til you are at least 11 days over which is great news. Too early for me to worry about that yet anyway.
OB appointment at 40wks.....wants to give VE? Should I?
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