Re: cervical checks toward the end of pregnancy

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My doctor wasn't going to check me until the last appointment (40 weeks) but since I had to be induced (PIH and low amniotic fluid) he checked to see if I was favorable. And since my water was broken during labor, I did not receive many exams then, either. I felt like my doctor and the hospital staff did an excellent job, I didn't feel invaded at all, and despite the induction, had a very positive end of pregnancy and birth experience. With my daughter's GBS complication, thank goodness it was! I need something positive to remember!!! :o)

If there are complications, checks can be very useful. If you and baby are fit as a fiddle, I agree, what is the point?

I do hope some medical types pipe in here... I love to be educated!

>I am not a physician but I thought I'd give you something to think about.
>
>What is the reason for the cervical checks? I know it is routine with many
>doctors (my own included) to do this near the end of pregnancy but why?
>Think about this for a moment. What will checking the cervix tell you, or
>the doctor? If you are checked at 34 weeks and found to be dilated 1 cm,
>what information have you learned (besides the fact that you are 1 cm
>dilated)? It certainly does NOT mean you will be in labor the next day.
>You may or may not. You may remain like this for WEEKS. And what will the
>doctor do to you/for you if you start dilating early? (Provided there have
>been no complications thus far in the pregnancy and you have nothing in your
>history to suggest possible problems.)
>
>You do have the right to decline this exam if you choose.
>
>Let's ask the doctors here to explain why these cervical checks are done,
>what info they gain (besides the obvious) and what they will do with this
>information. If it is only to log in the mom's chart that her cervix is X
>cm dialted (or not), X % effaced (or not), at X week/days, then why bother?
>Why not leave the cervix alone?
>
>This is by no means meant to be offensive to the physicians. You all know
>how much I value your positions on the P&B EAB and volunteer efforts here on
>the forum. :) It's just one of those things I have often wondered "why?"
>about.
>
>Thanks for bringing the topic up for discussion.
>
>--
>Mary Shoup
>Pregnancy & Birth Coordinator
>mary.shoup@obgyn.net
>http://www.obgyn.net/pb/pb.htm
>

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