I've just had a really good appointment with my OB and as I've had heaps of prelabour and terrible hip and back pain, I've asked for an internal at my next appointment in a week. My OB agreed. His actual words were 'At 38 weeks, I'd be ok with that'.

I made the mistake of texting my close friends an update on my progress mentioning I was having an internal next week and two of them, both midwives, questioned why 'he' would want to do that! I replied that I had asked for it as I desperately want to know if all this pain I've been experiencing has started anything down stairs. One of them was horrified that 'he' would do such a thing at 38 weeks (I had told her a second time that I had requested it) and she then went on to give me the full ear bashing about induction, c-sections, etc.

I know some OB's routinely do internals from a certain point in the third tri - mine doesn't. Is it really that bad that I'm getting one done next week? He knows I've been going through hell with all my aches and pains but he's not inducing me, just taking a look. What is so bad about that?! I've never been bothered by internal exams in the past (ie pap smears, gyno appts, etc) so I'm not worried about being uncomfortable or it hurting.

I feel so deflated after such a good appointment. It's my body and my baby so why does everyone have to judge my decision? Are internals really that bad for me/us???