Cervical checks

I think I got my first one at 38 weeks? I waited until close to my due date. It does come with a risk of infection, but they wear gloves so it’s a minimal risk in my opinion. It’s mostly just to satisfy your curiosity though, you can be 1 cm dilated for weeks before going into labor so it’s not the best indicator

Cervical checks such as a membrane sweep? If so, I had one I believe when I was about 37 weeks with my first. It started my labor and I admitted myself to the hospital that weekend, got induced and gave birth. I’m now pregnant with baby #2 due in December and I’m not sure when they’ll do a membrane sweep on me as I’m 28 weeks currently.

Eek I’m gonna avoid those and let body do what it wants- everyone is different tho- my friend had 2 membrane sweeps at 40 weeks and it didn’t work

Membrane sweeps loosen the amniotic sac, cervical checks just check how dilated your cervix is. Sort of similar processes though

My doctor doesn't do them. You'll know when you're in labor. Its not necessary thats why my doctor doesn't do them. She also doesn't measure your belly. With my son I was dilated 1cm and then it actually closed by my next appointment.

It depends.. I’m high risk due to history of incompetent cervix so for me cervical checks were necessary in the 1st & 2nd trimester to avoid preterm labor. With a “normal” pregnancy I think they start around 37-38 weeks if you choose? But most Dr’s aren’t a fan of them until full term

@Athena wait measure your belly in as in check your fundal height? Aren’t those supposed to make sure your baby’s growing and your amniotic fluid levels are okay?

This is informative... I'm a FTM. I think the sonographer did check my cervix once, week 20 something, just to make sure it was closed 🤷🏽‍♀️ didn't know it was more of a 3rd trimester thing. @Athena @Kassidi my midwife did measure my belly once at my 28wk appt... I didn't even ask her what it was for, she just nodded and said okay good.

Last time I got one maybe two but they didn't start til 36 weeks. This time I'll probably have more due to being high risk but I'm not sure. I don't necessarily have an issue with them. They don't really tell them much besides how ready your body is it's definitely up to you if you get them or not

I want to say mine started a few weeks before my induction date, but they were no sweeps. It was just a check to see if my cervix was softening to give them a better idea of when I’d possibly go into labor. I will be doing the same this time so they can schedule my induction properly

I didn’t get a cervical check in my first pregnancy until 39 weeks and I asked for it. It’s not necessary and I personally wouldn’t request it before 39 weeks.

@Chan that’s something completely different. Most women get a vaginal ultrasound at their 20 week anatomy scan to check their cervix for abnormalities. This is different from a cervical check that checks for dilation in the 3rd trimester.

I don’t get them until I’m in labor and that’s just me personally. Everyone’s different. They aren’t needed and don’t tell you anything

I was 38 weeks when they checked with my first one (7 years ago) it was on a Friday, I was 1.5cm my water broke that Monday 6am 😂

My doctor does them but I’m opting out. My doctor said it doesn’t really matter until you’re in labor or being induced- which is true. I was totally closed going into my last induction and i had a baby 22 hours later so

I was 38 weeks and 2 days with my first daughter at my first cervical check and they did a membrane sweep that day because I was already 2 cm dilated, ended up having her 4 days later at 38 and 6 days.🫶

This pregnancy they had to check my cervix already at 26 weeks because I was was having contractions due to dehydration but thankfully my cervix is still closed, 28 weeks and 5 days now.🫶

Yeah I told them no until I went to my 38 week appointment then I let them

@Victoria ohh gotcha...thanks Victoria! Guess I haven't had a cervical check then. I'm FTM at 30 weeks.