when do they do the internal exam to check dialation?

[krissyy]

hi girls, i am in my 29th week and have started seeing my doctor every two weeks.  i was wondering at what point they start doing the internal exams to check for dialation?

[LosingMyMindInGA]

it depends on the doctor...some say 36 wks other say 38  others won't check unless you request or have other reason such as intense contractions.  It's best to ask YOUR particular doctor.  They tend to not want to do it more than necessary becuase it can increase the risk of infections and can also be a factor in preterm labor.


Krissyy: on the ultrasounds they take various measurements, head circumferance, femur length, abdominal circumferance and some others...all of that is used to calculate and ESTIMATED weight. Now that weight can be WAY Off the closer you get to term.  I know some women who's been estimated to have a 9 lb baby and it came out 7 lbs someodd ounces.  So it is just that...an ESTIMATE :)

[krissyy]

thank you so much!  it sounds like 36 is the number!  

bts-i was wondering how they determined the approx weight before baby is born.  i always hear people say that the doctor says "their baby already weighs such and such amount" and was wondering how they knew...  i hope they give me a heads up so i know what i am up against ;-)  

thanks again!!

[Linzola1]

I have been checked every week since I was 36 weeks. I believe most doctors begin doing a check when you begin your weekly visits. I know some will check you a little earlier if you request it, but most are very cautious to do it earlier. Best Of Luck.

[BTS1022]

With my youngest son they started checking my cervix when I was around 36 weeks, when I started going in once a week.

He was the only baby I had that the doc actually would check me on a weekly basis. I also had an ultrasound once a week to verify his growth, size, and they are able to see your mucous plug on the level 2 u/s, so they can tell you if you lost yours or not which is nifty lol, I never knew I even lost mine with my other 3 children.

Good luck, oh and one more thing, as you get closer to delivery they check it more often, My doc told me that stimulating or aggrivating the cervix by checking it can help it dialate.

[Diane1003]

Mine started at 36 (last Friday) - also that's when weekly exams start.  So now I go again Friday at 37 weeks.