Did your doctor check to see if you dilated?

Question

I'm 39 weeks and 4days pregnant today, i have an apt. at my last apt. he says he doesn't check because there isn't really a use, you could be stuck at that amount of cm. for along time. Did any of you not ever get checked? can you lose your mucus plug or have your water break without even noticing? i'm so scared im not going to know that im in labor...

Answer 1

You will definitely know when you're in active labor. You can have labor pains in your back and not realize it, but when you're in active labor, and he/she's ready to come out, you will definitely know! Good luck! Congratulations!

Answer 2

here in uk most doctors dont check,and believe meyou will know

Answer 3

My doctor always checked to see how dialated I was. After my 30th week. Don't worry, weather he checked or not does not make a diference. He is right when he says it does not make a difference regardless. Basically you could be at 3 cm for months. When ur water breaks u will know! Basically it seems as though u peed your pants without needed to go. I swear that you will know when the baby is comming. There is no way of missing it. Good luck and do not worry. I have had three children so i know!

Answer 4

First of all, don't stress yourself out about not knowing that you're in labor.  Even if you could mistake losing your mucus plug or your water breaking........you wouldn't mistake the contractions that inevitably follow. : )      When I got to the point that I had my appts. every week...my doctor always checked to see if I was dialated.  I've never heard of a doctor just not checking........especially at almost 40 weeks.  

Answer 5

I did get checked...but I was 2 cm for weeks. So I can kinda understand his reasoning. I lost my mucus plug w/o noticing and I had my bag ruptured at the hosp. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 6

Your doctor is absolutely right. There is no real reason to check for dilation until you go into actual labor. My doctor didn't start checking me until 38 weeks for this very reason.

You may lose your plug without noticing but most women DO notice it. You'll probably lose it while using the restroom and it will look like thick, boogery, snot and may be tinged brown or pink. Most women do not experience a big gush when their water breaks. It's usually a constant trickle. If you suspect your water has broken put on dry underwear and a clean pad and lay down for 30 minutes. If it's wet when you get back up then it's your water.

Typically, though, you'll know when you go into labor. Few women do not.

Answer 7

i would just ask your doctor to check you my doctor checks all her patients once a week after week 36

Answer 8

My dr checked me everytime. Just to see if I was dialating at all or efaced. You will usually know when you lose your mucus plug unless it is at the hospital when you are in labor. And you will notice your water breaking too. But with my youngest my bag was leaking. It didnt break completely and actually i dont know for sure what happened if it emptied completely or what but after I had the baby I heard the nurse say I never had to break her water and she never said it broke. I had been leaking for almost a week but when I went to the dr to see if it was my bag leaking they told me no and sent me home. Well come to find out it was my bag leaking. But you will know when you are in labor. And I can understand your dr not checking you. I was dialated at a 2 and 60% effaced for a month with my first child. It can be a VERY long process. Good luck and Congrats.  

Answer 9

I've only been checked once prior to a delivery. I was not dialated at all and had my baby less than 48hours later after only 6 hours of labor. my midwife offered in case I was curious but I declined during my thrid pregnancy. She told me that prior dialation isn't an indication of when labor will start or how fast it will progress. your mucus plug can come out in small sections. if you get a small tear in your water bag you might not notice at first but if the whole thing ruptures at once theres clearly no doubt. its like a water balloon exploding between your legs.

Just trust people that "you'll know" when you are in labor.  Its something thats hard to understand and explain unless you've already been through it. Don't worry you don't need to be checked right now. Its uncomfortable anyway.

Answer 10

You will know when it happens.  You would definitely be able to tell if your water broke because it is A LOT of fluid.  It could come out in a trickle or a gush, but it is really a lot.  Also, that doesn't usually happen on it's own, most women have it done in the hospital.  I was always checked in my last pregnancy, however I can see the dr's point.  There really isn't much use, because I was dilated 4 cm for almost a month and it didn't mean that labor was starting.  I don't know if I lost my mucus plug beforehand.  When I went into labor, it was serious contractions for a long time that wouldn't slow down, some bleeding, and that's about it.  When that started I called in, and the hospital told me to wait till the contractions were 5 min apart for over an hour, then come in.  Hope this helps!

Answer 11

In the UK you dont usually get checked until you are actually in labour. Your doctor is right, checking serves no purpose but to wither get you excited and then nothing happens, or to be told nothing is happening and for you to then go into labour!!! you WILL know when you go into labour. Dont worry. Good luck!

Answer 12

Nope. he didn't check with my first pregnancy until my 38th week.

I wish he would've done it at every appointment with my second child. If he would've, my son wouldn't of been 8 weeks early.

Answer 13

When you go into labour YOU'LL KNOW!

I was checked at 37 weeks only because they wanted to induce me and see how "ready" my body is.