Cervix check My doctors office is encouraging natural births and have taken in some midwives. I've…

I had a different doc with dd and when I refused a check she looked at me like I was crazy. I'm hoping because midwives tend to be more natural that she won't think I'm horrible for saying no.

You can say no. ?

Yea you can say no ... But I've never heard that it can cause labor? I'm on baby #4 and it never did that for me ... Interesting ...

We will see who has baby first lol! Do you have your babies right on time? I usually go around 39 weeks and some days...

Nope, not weird. I refused one until I was 40 weeks.

I just didn't know if it was possible to start labor. It's just so painful for me and I cramp for like 2 days after. It's not the germs or anything I'm not against checks. I just don't see a point unless I'm already in labor. If it wasn't so painful I wouldn't care lol. I just don't want to deal with a doc getting rude because I say no. Also pp I was induced with dd 4 days before my dd because of preeclampsia. I had no signs of labor leading up to being induced so I'm sure she would've gone later than 40wks.

In the UK midwifes hardly ever do cervix checks until your in labour or overdue & want a sweep cervix to kick start things. Presume this is because risk of infection or jump starting labour. I never had one until I was in labour. Wasn't offered but if I was I would have refused. I prefer to be left alone with as little interference as possible.

I'm in the us. I know all docs are different but they've asked about checks since I was 34 weeks. I just see no point until you're in labor. I don't think it's unsanitary really. I mean you can have sex all throughout pregnancy (unless medical issues) and I don't see how a penis in your vagina is any worse or better. Lol.

I never had my cervix checked until I was actively in labor. I refused and my doctor said it's perfectly fine as it's not indicative to when labor will start anyway, so I see nothing odd in refusing. I'm in the US as well.

I don't know if it had any correlation, but when I was 37 weeks they did a cervix check. The rest of the day I was constantly cramping and lost my plug that night. 8 hours my water broke. So if I have another pregnancy I think I will be skipping the cervix check unless it's medically needed.

I'm not having one until I'm in labour there's nothing wrong with that esp if you've had more than one child and successful labour

My midwife never checked my cervix until I was well into labor. I asked at one appointment around 37 weeks, because people in my birth group were talking about it, and she said she doesn't do them routinely but if I wanted her to, she would. I said no. Won't be having it this time either. It really tells you nothing.

At the clinic I was being seen at with ds3, they actually don't recommend cervix checks before 39 weeks. They will do them at 37 and 38 weeks, but only if you request one.

My OB never checked mine, either pregnancy. They did once when I was having pre-term contractions but didn't again until I was in l&d.

We don't have them in the uk so correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that the same as a sweep ? Which is meant to help start labour

I had my cervix checked at 36 weeks and I get it check again this Friday which I will be 39 weeks and 3 days...I refused the one at 37 & 38 weeks because at 36 weeks I wasn't dilated and I was showing no signs of labor. I'm 39 weeks and 1 day today and still not showing signs of labor that I know of besides some burning sensation in my lower back but I'm not sure what that is.

I'm not sure if ive heard it can start labor, unless it's the same as a sweep?

But I do think I've read it can cause an infection.

I didn't have a check until I was in active labor. I also had a midwife.

You have every right to say no to any procedure or test.

Technically, a cervical check (not even a membrane sweep) CAN stir things up and start labour although it's not super common.

My question to your care provider would be why do you want to do a cervical exam? If they have a valid reason (you've been having contractions, think your water is broken, think there's X Issue) then you can explore doing a check further. If there's no real reason And they're doing it just because.....no thanks! (Well only if you want one ?)

You have to be dilated as they stick their finger inside the cervix for a sweep, whereas a cervix check would just be feeling it to see if it was opening and the position of it.

My OB actually mentioned that next week when I'm at 36 weeks they would start cervical checks. I've been considering refusing too. That just seems way too early to me. And I remember just how uncomfortable it was when they checked me while I was pregnant with my daughter

I refused any throughout pregnancy and in labour and my midwife had no issues with it ☺️ I'm in Australia tho and had a completely natural birth!

@heather like I said I don't think risk of infection is really a problem because I'm sure a penis would be just as much as a risk, but is perfectly safe during pregnancy unless medical problems. It's just painful and uncomfortable. It's also no indication of anything. You could be dilated 3cm for weeks. I just don't want to have to endure that pain and cramping unless it serves a purpose. Now when you're in labor then sure because they have to see when you're 10cm.

It's totally fine to refuse a cervix check. It really isn't important if you're not checking to see if an induction will be favorable...dilation without active contractions literally means nothing. Lol.