TOO many INTERNAL exams

[prayerful wife]

I had a prenatal visit yesterday I'm 11wks 2days.  I got a chance to hear the baby's heartbeat and get more in depth with my OB about my care.  He told me he wanted me to start seeing a prenatal specialist as well as himself.  With my past miscarriages, history of preterm labor and the fact that I have Endometriosis he doesn't want to take any chances.  I appreciate all his efforts and can understand why I'm considered "high risk", but at the same time don't they consider too many internal exams to be unhealthy for the pregnancy as well?  Wouldn't it increase the chances of bacteria entering into the vagina, or causing my cervix to open?  Right when i was starting to ease up on worrying about so much, he threw something else at me that made me a bit skeptic.  What do you ladies think should I see both doctors, or just stick with him since he's been my OB/GYN since I was 13?  I know he wouldn't put me in harms way, but at the same time I have to be my own 1st line of defense.  I'd appreciate your thoughts...thanks!

[prayerful wife]

Thanks.  They just called back and have scheduled my 1st appointment with the specialist on the 14th of Dec, and then I turn around and see my OB on the 26th.  I guess i will have to just ask for ultrasounds and non-stress test and to just make sure we always listen to the heartbeat with the doppler to avoid the exams if at all possible.  Thanks again for your help.  

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I would do what he suggests.  Just because he is sending you to another Dr. doesn't necessarily mean they will be doing a lot of internal exams I wouldn't think.  You are right about too many being possibly harmful.  Well what I mean is that the further along you get it can cause you to go into labor.  My doctor usually does one my first prenatal visit and then of course the last month (every week).  With my last pregnancy I was like 32 weeks and I had fallen so my OB wanted me to go to labor and delivery and make sure the baby wasn't under any stress.  The nurse said they would not check me vaginally because I wasn't in labor at that time and checking could cause me to start going into labor.  But I think with the prenatal dr. they can probably monitor you other ways (I would think).  You may want to try to Google it and see maybe what exactly it is that a prenatal dr. does.; what his/her role would be.  Sorry I couldn't be of more help.  Good luck and keep us posted!  Oh, and Congrats!