When Did Your Doc Check You?? C-section Moms- Did YOU Get Checked???

There is absolutely no reason you needed to be checked, even if you were going to have a vaginal birth. The information does not tell you when labor will start. One mom could be 3cm dilated and not deliver for another week, another mom could be 0cm and deliver a few hours later. Your doctor can tell position be feeling on the outside. If she can't I would find a new doctor. And yes, having a vaginal exam comes with risk. Your water could be broken, it has happened to women before. There is aso the risk of infection. Tell your doctor you will not consent to vaginal exams.

I have 3 children, never checked until labor was well under way.

Lisa

Pelvic exams have nothing to do with bringing on labor - believe me, if they did you would see 98% of mom's in the Dr's office daily from about week 35 on! :)

It all depends on the doctor, nurse, or midwife (some feel better "regularly reviewing the situation" and some take the "It is gonna happen either way so who cares" tact).

I had the same question with my first as to why I wasn't getting pelvic exams. The midwife had a great explanation for me which made sense. First, she asked if I wanted one because she would be more than happy if I felt I wanted or needed it. I said "Well, how can you tell when or what is going on and when I will deliver if you don't check?" She explained that whether I am 0 or 7 cm dilated, effaced or not...it really has no way of directing when I will give birth. She said it happens when it is supposed to, and not to worry. It could be an hour from then or two weeks from then, with or without knowing dilation and effacement - checking wouldn't change a thing or predict any sort of reliable result. I was a bit skeptical of this answer until my mom explained my aunt was dilated to 7 for 5 weeks before she gave birth to my cousin. I was under the misguided perception that moments after effacing they pretty much just popped right out (yeah, right)!

In talking to many people I have heard these stories. So, if you feel more comfortable with having one done...go ahead it will not hurt, harm, or have any sort of bearing on when or how you will give birth.

Aside from the fact that there isn't any need for her to check you, even if you went into labor that doesn't mean they won't do a C-Section....especially if that was what had been planned in the first place. There is a school of thought that laboring some before a C-Section actually can be beneficial to the respiratory outcomes of newborns.

My midwife gives the option. I was less than a fingertip at 37 weeks. I went into labor at 37.5 weeks. I doubt it was the check that caused labor 4 days labor...expecially since I labored for 14 hours before getting to 2cm. It wasn't comfortable...I didn't get any more checks after that....lol.

My last 2 were planned C-sections and I did get checked both times at 36 & 38 weeks. The C-sections happened at 39 weeks. Basically, they are just checking to make sure that it is not coming earlier than planned. The would prefer that you don't go into labor first, this will make the C-section easier than if they have to pull the baby from the birth canal. If the baby goes too far into the birth canal they can't preform a C-section.

My first was an emergency c-section and I got checked at 37 weeks. With my second and third were planned c-sections and I did not get checked. My doctor said it was not needed and it would just be another uncomfortable thing for me.

Checking the position of the baby from the inside at 36 weeks is perfectly normal and will not put you into labor. Having 3 children they always started checking at month 9 to see if you are dililated and the positon.

3 pregnancies: 1st one checked at 36 weeks, delivered at 41 weeks.
2nd one at 38 weeks, delivered at 40 weeks.
3rd one at 36 weeks, delivered at 40 weeks.

I truly believe checking did not bring on delivery!

I just had my 3rd csection and they checked me once. However that was because I was 3 days away from my schedule csection and had been having contractions all weekend. My dr said if there isnt any reason to check me they wont. Ask her why they are checking you if your gonna for a repeat csection and tell her you would rather her not. However I dont know about it putting you into labor, but if that was the case then Im sure your dr wouldnt check you if it wasnt necessary. I would just voice your concerns and ask your questions. Good luck!

i misunderstood your question...lol...i don't really have an answer now but i cant delete this! :) sorry!