Why wont my doctor check me?

Question

ok so today I called my doctors office and asked the nurse if at my appointment could the doctor check me for dilation. She said no because it could send me into labor???????? What the heck I have never heard of that. And I know plenty of women that get checked if they ask. Im going to be in my 34 week when I see her. Am I wrong or is the nurse wrong?

Answer 1

My guess is if you ask your Dr directly she will check you HOWEVER standard procedure is to not check a womans cervix until they are "full term" unless there is just cause to do so earlier because it can manipulate the cervix and cause preterm labor.  

Answer 2

Sounds like the nurse needs to go back to nursing school. The doctor checked me for dilation when i was 33 weeks then again at 35 weeks when i did have my son.  

Answer 3

there really is no medical reason for checking for dialtion until your in labor. any time anything enters your v****a you risk an infection. and even if you were 1 cm, 2 cm or whatever- you can be like that for weeks. or you could be 0 cm when your checked and end up going into labor later that night so it really has no gauge on how your labor is progressing.

maybe once your 37 weeks your doctor will start checking. mine dosent start checking until then.  

Answer 4

Typically unless you are a high risk pregnancy they won't check you for dilation until week 36. The doctor isn't doing anything wrong. It is just unnecessary at that point to check.

Answer 5

They recommend waiting until 37 weeks when the baby is considered 'Full Term', if not checking you COULD start contractions sending you into premature labor which obviously could be very serious since the baby's lungs aren't fully developed.

Answer 6

I am 36 weeks pregnant my old doctor checked me every visit i went and that was from 5 weeks to i was 7 months, i recently changed doctors and he said that they wont check until I'm 36 weeks. appt. friday!

Answer 7

Nope, It is very true. The more they check you the more of a chance to go into early labor.

Answer 8

In some people, s*x or anything can bring on labor. In others it doesn't. Most people can be checked without labor starting,

Answer 9

It just ups your chances for bacteria and infections.  There is no reason to check you and you should be glad you have a sensible dr/nurse.

Answer 10

they made me wait til 37 weeks. internal exams can cause contractions. they don't want to stimulate your cervix until the baby is full term (37 weeks). just wait, they know what they're doing.  

Answer 11

You should talk to your dr about what the nurse said to you on the phone. My dr started checking me around 34 weeks just to be sure i wasn't dilating. If you are they may talk to you about taking it easy to get you past the 36 week mark. If your dr thinks you may go into labor she may give you steriod shots to get the baby's lungs ready in case you do go into labor. But DEFINATELY talk to your dr about what the nurse said. She should not be giving you answers like that without talking to the dr first. I worked in a dr office for 2 1/2 years and we did not tell the patients an answer without talking to the dr first just in case what we were thinking was incorrect it couldn't come back against us. The dr needs to know that the nurse is saying things like this and address the problem.

Answer 12

I also know lots of women that get checked all the time & everything turns out fine.. I worked in a pre-natal clinic for a month.. so I see it happen lots.. but maybe something has happened before to the doctor or the nurse.. I would double check & ask them why.. if you really really want to know.. let them know.. I mean they kinda have to do it, cause if not, they are refusing you care & something you wanted.. good luck. xo

Answer 13

You don't need to be checked so early on. I didn't get checked untill I was 39 weeks and I have been having bh contractions for the past month and losing my mucas plug for two weeks. I was only 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced, you just gotta wait it out. Sometimes it best not knowing cause a lot of women think that they will go into labor soon if they are dilated or effaed at all, but this is not the case, you can stay just like that for weeks however, I have never heard of it sending you into labor to get checked. Best of luck  

Answer 14

Your wrong!

Theres absoulutely NO reason for checking your cervix for dilation prior to being in established labor!  It doesnt predict a thing and only stresses you out when labor doesnt start just because your 2cm dilated!

Answer 15

You do not need to be checked for dilation. Every time you are checked it introduces the possibility of infection. Your doctor is right. Dilation does not tell you anything about your body's preparation for birth. Labor signs below to let you know what will be happening as your body prepares for labor. This will give you a better indication of your progression than dilation would. Best wishes, G