OB appointment at 40wks.....wants to give VE? Should I?

**Shanti** · January 20th, 2009, 05:25 PM

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?

TIA

**~Raven~** · January 20th, 2009, 05:30 PM

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.

**Beach Mama** · January 20th, 2009, 05:30 PM

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.

**Jakabella** · January 20th, 2009, 05:32 PM

Ren,

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.

Sorry not much info for you!!

Kate xox

**Arimeh** · January 20th, 2009, 05:46 PM

I'm pretty sure I had one at 41 weeks.... so I'd say no

**Shanti** · January 20th, 2009, 05:51 PM

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

**fionas** · January 20th, 2009, 06:28 PM

Yep, from what you've said I wouldn't.

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.

**Snacks** · January 20th, 2009, 06:38 PM

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.

**Tobily** · January 20th, 2009, 07:19 PM

VE's before labour don't tell you anything much about when labour is going start.

What they do often end up achieving is giving said medical person some ammunition to convince you that because you're not dilated at 40 weeks you need their help to get your baby to come out.

If you don't want to have it - just say "no thanks"

Practice saying it in a nice confident voice so they know you mean it

**BellyBelly** · January 20th, 2009, 07:31 PM

It wont prove anything. It wont give you an idea of anything either. Your cervix could be hard and closed and tomorrow it could be soft and slightly open... who knows. Trust that your cervix knows what its doing and its at exactly the right position, dilation, and feel as to what it should be. Because it is.

**BellyBelly** · January 20th, 2009, 07:32 PM

Vaginal Exams - Are They Really Necessary? By Brenda Manning MIPP

**visitor1** · January 20th, 2009, 07:46 PM

I had one done at 40+1 this time round only because i was offered a S&S and id been having alot of pre labour....with the girls i never had any VE's til labour started

**Shanti** · January 21st, 2009, 06:43 AM

Thank you everyone for your posts. Much appreciated. I think it just confirms to me again that I don't need to get a VE until I'm at least either 7 days overdue OR in labour. Don't even want an S&S until I'm 7 days overdue.....

I will get ready to say 'oh thanks but no thanks don't feel it's needed at this stage'

Kelly -thanku for the link i'll check it out now.

**Oorki Galoorki** · January 21st, 2009, 07:46 AM

Renstar you dont need them in labour either... there are other ways to know how your going along...often when they tell you in labour a pg women does the labour math.... 8 hrs to 4cms gee im going to be doing this for another12 hours....aauuurrrggghhh

which isnt how it works at all...

also be wary that your ob might try to scare you in to having a VE at 40 weeks...... BE STRONG

**Shanti** · January 21st, 2009, 10:36 AM

Thanks girls, i'll be strong!!

And DouDou, I'm also hesitant during labour to want to have one.... except when I feel like I may need to push perhaps then i'll let them check to see i'm at 10.

**Toomanytoomany** · January 21st, 2009, 10:50 AM

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.

**~Aveta~** · January 21st, 2009, 11:45 AM

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.

**Heaven** · January 28th, 2009, 11:03 AM

How'd the appointment go Ren?? Was it yesterday??

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