36 week appointment - what do I expect? (double post)

Hey guys,

Ok, so my appointments are now weekly, I have my 36 week appointment on Thursday.

I'm just wondering what to expect from here, I have read that an internal exam will be done at some point to check the thickness/ thinness of the cervix? Is this right? And if so, when will this happen.

My appointments have been fairly brief so far, checking BP, bubby heart rate etc. but obviously now I am close to the end of the pregnancy I just wondered what happens from here? If anything?

Thanks in advance.
Sue xxx

I think it all really depends on your care provider.

At my 36 week appt, I did a swap for GBS but the mw has still not done any internals. We talked about what to do when labour starts, where to go, what to expect, etc. She did all the normal - my bp, baby's heart rate, whether baby engaged or not, positioning and fundal height.

At my 36 week appointment my OB did an ultrasound to check bubs was in position etc. That was it really, we talked briefly about my wishes for labor etc, but we had already discussed that it other appointments so it wasn't a big point of discussion. I didn't have any internals or anything like that until I was actually in labor. Also my OB didn't do the GBS swab because he said there is little point to it cos your status can change within a couple of days. HTH

Hi Sue!

congrats on getting to the 'business end' lol of your pregnancy!

at my 36 week appt we talked things like position of bubs, did a quick scan in his office as per usual...where my nervous nelly self asked if the cord looked good and clear of bubs. took blood pressure and i *think* we did the GBS too...i def also gave them some urine (the one and only time!). he didnt do internals, as we werent that interested as we read that the cervix can change from day to day at this stage. and considering that bubba was well engaged at that point i didnt have concerns ITMS. then we just chatted about the upcoming labour (i asked about his 'real' policy on induction...ie if i *had* to be induced at exactly 10 days over or if he would let me go a bit longer...etc etc). oh and we talked natural induction methods (nipple stimulation, walking, DTD etc etc).

goodluck and hope it is a lovely visit. i remember mine at 36 weeks felt really special as i knew my baby could be born at any time and i would get to see her soon!

lots of belly rubs xx

Thanks so much for the input everyone, I guess there isn't much difference except that bubby could come any day!!

Thanks again
Sue xx

I never had any internals as well. At my 36 week check up, it wasn't really anything exciting. Dr measured my belly, we talked briefly about my upcoming labour, that was about it really.
There is absolutely no need for an internal at any stage. So don't feel like you have to have on if they offered. Although at 36 weeks, I can't see why they would offer. Way too early anyway.

Hi Sue

5 weeks ago (!) at my 36 week appointment, I took in the GBS swab (I'd been given it earlier and did it at home that morning). Usual things - HB, fundal height, position etc. In fact, the only time appointments started to get 'different' was last week (40 weeks) when I had a stretch & sweep (which they combine with an internal exam. It was my choice to have this. At 41 weeks (yesterday) I saw the doctor rather than the midwife, and we discussed induction, did the 'normal' stuff and tried again for a s&s.

Good luck - hope things come sooner for you than they have for me! :)

Probably a dumb question, but what is GBS swab??

Hi Jodi,

It's a vaginal swab they do to test for the presence of Group B Strep, which can cause serious problems for babies if they catch it on the way through. It's a very common bacteria which many people have in them without having any problems, and at different times can be active and inactive.

If you have an active case close to delivery, they will recommend (but can't force you to have) antibiotics during labour, to help prevent the baby from picking up GBS.

HTH :)

oh cool, thanks for that. You learn something new every day! :)