[mom4kitties]

Ok, so you are the only people in the world that I feel comfortable asking this question...

What is the vaginal exam like for checking to see how dilated and effaced you are? I am just about 34 weeks, so my OB will start checking me vaginally at my 36-week appointment. She keeps telling me that the exam is uncomfortable and a little painful. How does it work? Just she just shove her finger up there and feel around for how open things are? I just want to know what to expect.

Thank you very much in advance for answering this very personal question!

[docshoney]

Truthfully? The first one hurt like a SOB and I bled for a day. 2nd and 3rd didn't hurt, I'm not sure why not. Last one hurt like a SOB and I bled for 2 days. It isn't a huge amount of blood but it is a little scary since blood in pregnancy usually equals not good. It isn't tear inducing it is just really uncomfortable and they push on your belly to get the right feel while moving their finger around your cervix.

[allikat415]

I have been being checked since about 24 weeks and it never really bothered me until this past week. I had to take a trip to L&D tonight and when they checked me I about came up off the bed. It really depends on how your cervix layes. Mine is tilted back so it is harder to reach. Good luck and I hope it is not to uncomfortable for you.

[hannah01]

mine haven't been bad at all - certainly not as bad as a pap smear when they use the horrible speculum! maybe it's because i have a female ob and she's more gentle, but it's very quick and painless.

[Lotus]

Mine have not been too bad, although the fact that I'm still completely closed up might have something to do with it. I wonder if when I finally start dilating if it will be more painful.

[mom4kitties]

Thanks so much for the response, ladies! So I was right when I said that my OB checks by sticking her finger up there and just feeling around? I figure if I survived IF treatments then I can handle anything, but I just like to know what's coming!

[hannah01]

yeah exactly - it's just a very quick exam with their finger to feel your cervix. MUCH better than a normal pelvic where they ratchet you open with the speculum. have i already said how much i hate those things??

[megsc]

I never dialted, not one cm, and doc told me to prepare for a tonsil exam and I swear, his whole arm went missing for a minute, and he is a pretty tall guy. It wasn't as painful as it was shocking; after the first one, it isn't that bad though.

[hshifty]

I also didnt think it was that bad. My last check up they got rid of some membranes... so she moved her fingers around there which is basically a more aggresive check up. Its didnt hurt as bad as I thought it was going to.

[MustLoveDogs]

Amy- I think I am the wrong person to ask. I absolutely hate those tests. My OB really hurts me with those...or maybe I just can get relaxed enough for him to do the test. I'm started to think that I am a big whimp by reading all the other posts .
Anyhow, I hope your doctor is more gentle with you and that you can relax, and it won't be that bad at all.

[jenedens6102]

Amy, it's much like a internal exam you would get with your annual. However, it's not pleasant at all. I was checked at 35 weeks for the first time and I thought I was going to come off the table and smack my doctor. Depending on how high the baby is it can hurt worse because they have to reach up and find the cervix to check you. I also had spotting for two days after each exam, all three that I had. So let's hope yours isn't too bad.

[cat915]

i think the key is relaxing-- if you stay relaxed, it's not that painful but if you're tense, it can hurt a LOT! I was ready for this guy to come out earlier and by the time they were checking me i was just so excited to find out if he was coming that it didn't hurt at all. W/ dd, it hurt. But i think it hurts a LOT less than a speculum- those always kill me

[lace7725]

Well now I am prepared for tomorrow - but YIKES ... kinda scared! hehe

I totally agree I hate those annual paps because of those speculums!