Conference moira::parenting_v3

    I checked with my wife on this one....
    With our first, who was born at 36.5 weeks, she had not had an internal
    yet, but thought she would have had one the next time she went. with
    our second, she had them from about 34 weeks on, because the doctor
    (same one as the first birth) thought she might go early again. With
    our third (different doctor), he began at 36 weeks, only because she
    was gestationally diabetic, and he wanted to monitor how things were
    going to know if and when they might induce her (which they ended up
    doin at 39 weeks). He told her that he would not ordinarily do one till
    37 or 38 weeks, if everything was progressing normally. 
    I guess it is sort of individualized, and probably also has much to do
    with the woman's pregnancy history (current or previous).
    
    --dave--

    Internals started at about 32 weeks with my first, but that was a twin
    pregnancy.  If there is anytihing out of the ordinary, bleeding,
    contractions, etc. they may do an internal to see what's going on. 
    With me, the doctor wanted to keep a close watch on how my cervix was,
    as by 32 weeks I was HUGE, and I mean HUGE.
    
    But with my other two he didn't do an internal until about 38 weeks,
    remarkably late I thought, until I realized these were normal
    pregnancies, progressing at a normal pace.
    
    I think the theory is these days don't do an internal cause you might
    stir things up!  Wait until the last few weeks unless there are signs
    to the contrary.
    

    
    My OB started giving me an internal last week, which was in my 36th week.
    I beleive most doctors start them in the last 4 weeks of pregnancies. I
    spoke to a friend who's wife is pregnant, he said his wifes doctor
    doesn't do internals at all at the end of pregnancy! I found that to be 
    strange. I mean how else would you know if your close to delivery day?
    I would think that you need to have internals to see if the baby is
    engaged and if you are dilated. I'm glad my doctor checked me last week
    if he didn't I would have never known that I've already started
    dilating 3 weeks early!!
    
    
    Sandy
    

    My OB also started internals at 36 weeks, when you start your once a
    week visits. I honestly don't know if this is their norm because my
    mother went early with both of us and my sister had just delivered her
    second 6 weeks early so they could have been taking "precautions" in my
    case. I'll find out soon enough with the second.
    
    Andrea

    My OB believed in "No Internals unless necessary" so I did not have one
    until my water broke.

    My doctor - 36 weeks - normal pregnancy.
    
    Donna
    

    
    Never had one until I was in the labor room at 38 weeks.
    
    
    
    
    Eva.

    #1, 17 years ago -- at every checkup
    #2, 7 years ago -- I think at 36 weeks, but I don't remember for
            sure.  Steven was 2 weeks early, and there was no
            indication whatsoever.
    #3, last year -- not until I was in the labor room after my water
            broke, at 40 weeks. 
    
    --bonnie

    My doctor didn't do internals but the other OB in the office
    did beginning at 36 weeks (I saw both of them).
    
    In regards to an earlier question (how can they tell if the
    head is engaged), I was told that the baby was in position 
    and head was engaged after an EXTERNAL exam.
    
	Linda
    

    My midwife told me that she would give me an internal at 38 weeks
    (I didn't make it for Jake).  She said there was a common misconception
    as to "why" internals are done as a routine late in pregnancy.  She
    said that it was to determine the position of the baby - so they could 
    try to move him if necessary - not to see if you were effaced or dilated.
    
    I don't know if she was just speaking for herself, Hitchcock clinic
    or trying to speak for the profession as a whole!              

    
    Sorry to sound obtuse, but what exactly is involved in having
    an internal (without being too graphic!)?
    
    I'm at 26 weeks and have been wondering what to expect (and a little
    nervous!).
    
    Thanks.
             

I just came back from a doctor's appointment.  I'm 35 1/2 weeks.  They said they
would start internals at my next weeks appointment.  I belong to Fallon Clinic
and the nurse told me not all the doctors do internals but the ones that do 
usually start at 36 weeks.

    re:13
    
    All thats involved in an internal exam is the doctor just checks the
    cervix to see if you've dilated and if your cervix is thinning out.
    Also, he checks for the baby's head. Last week when I went, he said
    that I was about a fingertip dilated which is 1 centimeter, and he said
    that the baby's head was still pretty high up. So i take from there
    that it hasn't dropped yet. So anyway its just a quick check and thats
    it.  I was scared at first too, i thought it would be like getting a
    pap smear done when they use that sterile instument but it's a peice of
    cake.
    
    Hope this helps.
    
    sandy