Internal exam and pregnancy...

[Sunflower2]

I am 38 1/2 weeks pregnant. My baby is due 28th on this month. This is my first baby... I really don't know the difference between braxton hicks or real contractions... and of course, since I have had IC/PFD for a long time even before I got pregnant so my frequent trip to the bathroom was due to my IC/PFD or one of symptoms of pregnancy(?) I don't really know....anyway... I have had many UTI/IC flare during my pregnancy... I think most of the times are just really bad IC flare... not really UTI.... so I get this burning/stinging pain down there...especially my baby is on the way so soon. I know that my OB/GYN has to check me if I am dilated or not every week. last week I had internal exam.. I think it gave me really bad pain afterward... I wasn't dilated yet...and I have my Dr. Appointment this Friday. I think I had this really bad flare or contraction today...After my work, I had to stop by at the hospital since I wasn't sure it was my baby coming or just something really wrong with the baby. Anyway, a dr. and nurse hold me down to the bed and check to see if I was dilated or not. However, I was in such a horrible pain..they couldn't really check on me. The internal exam was really horrifying !!!!! I think I am still in pain from that... I am just scared to have internal exams this Friday and coming up next week. I know it has to be done for the baby.... Does anyone have the same experience like this??? How did you get through this????? The nurse that was helping me told me that I need to have epidural when the baby is coming... I do agree with her.. but if I cannot get through this internal exam without screaming, how in the world that I am giving a birth to my baby??? I am so scared...... any advice will be great....
by the way, today is my birthday.. what a memorable birthday that was.... screaming and crying in the hospital...and scared to death for my baby on the way.....

[Julie B]

Oh sweetie, I am so sorry you had a bad day on your birthday. That just stinks, doesn't it?

One way or another, you are going to have to have internal checks during delivery. Maybe you can make an agreement with the doctor to check less frequently. Also, once you get more into labor, the doc and nurses usually do the checks when you are having a contraction, so some of the discomfort you are going to feel will be absorbed by the labor pains.

You probably learned about having a focal point in your birthing classes. That was the best thing for me. I ended up using my husband's belt buckle as my focal point and he didn't dare move. I said a million Hail Marys during my labor with my first born. Nearly 30 years later, I can still conjure up that visual.....even though it ended up a C-section anyway.

BTW....some IC patients have scheduled a C-section instead of going through labor. Not sure that is an option for you, but it may be something to ask the doctor about.

[Toto]

Everyone is different, but when I had the real contractions they were stronger than the Braxton Hicks and closer together in time. I timed them and they were coming frequently. But my IC was not as severe back then and I'm not sure what that would feel like.

I had epidurals twice. Make sure you get them early because it takes a while for the anesthesiologist to come to the room. While waiting for him I asked for a pot to sit on because my bladder couldn't handle the contractions and I was in a LOT of pain. I think my bladder hurt more than the contraction. Having the pot below me helped because I could pee in it constantly. Then I asked for a catheter. They thought it was weird but I begged to be honest. It helped with the bladder pain.

I'm not at all sure I helped you. I really do hope others respond and that there is some help for you. My prayers are with you.

Happy birthday, even thought it was hard for you.

[Tiffanie79]

I have 3 kids....2 pre IC and one just this past February. Pelvic exams at the doctors office are optional. You can tell the doctor they are causing you pain. They are only checking for dialation and effacement, which is not necessary unless they believe you are in active labor or there could be some other complication. You are going to efface and dialate until the baby comes regardless....I was 4cm for over a month and still ended up being induced...so its really a pointless exam. When real labor starts I promise you will know it. Braxton hicks is more of an uncomfortable tightening. The only way I can describe real contractions is monthly cylce cramps times 20. They are very distinct, it felt to me like my pelvic bones were being pulled apart. I am not trying to scare you LOL but I don't want to lie and say it is all peaches and cream. They are painful and you will know what they are, it feels different then IC pain.

[Sunflower2]

Thank you ladies....

I wish I had knew that pelvic exams were optional sooner. I thought it was necessary to do that. What I had go through Wednesday was called membrane sweeps..my best friend told me that. It was more than just regular internal exam. When a doctor put her fingers inside of me and doing pushing and pressing things, I felt like that I was violated or something. I was in so much pain and screaming and crying and couldn't get through all the way. Because of that, I couldn't go to my doctor appointment today. I lied to my husband that I changed my appointment time for a different time... I have one more OB/GY appointment before my 40 weeks and if my baby doesn't come by then, I am scheduled to get induced following week. I am very nervous..... I want get this over with, but at the same time... I don' t want to go through....

[Pammylynn8]

I remember those were painful. I am not sure because of the same reason but when they got near my cervix, I felt like it I was going to scream. I eventually just learned how to hold my shirt or sheet and just visualize something happy to get through it. I had an epidural and it helped sooo much. However befor the epidural they will have to check to make sure that you are dialated enough for one. Try visualization now even when they are not doing it. Imagine that you can it and it really doesn't hurt. Visualize also something happy and peaceful like being near a waterfall, that was my place of choice. You might want to also try listening to very relaxing music when you are in labor when they are checking you.. it might help you relax.

[Pammylynn8]

oh and for me braxton hicks felt like BAD menstral cramps. Almost like a burning feel in my uterine muscles. My labor pains were just like this but hurt (burned)more.

[Jadia]

All my friends tell me "When it's labor...you know, there won't be a doubt in your mind. So if you are standing there going "hmm am I in labor?" the answer is probably "no". At least not to the point it's time to go to the hospital!" Then they laugh. So I assume you will know when it's time to go to the hospital vs false labor or even early labor.

I am discussing an optional C-Section with my doctor because of my IC and the desire to not have increased issues with it from natural delivery.

[kuntrygurl78]

I was one of the weirdos that didnt know I was in labor when I was. I should say that Id had back pain for the last part of my pregnancy and I was having back labor. When I got to the hospital, I was 7cm. But the baby was face to the ceiling (supposed to be born face down) and he was HUGE. When I did start feeling the contractions, there was not doubt that I was in labor. My plan was no drugs/natural labor, but because of his size and position, I had a csection. I want to wish you luck!

[Julie B]

Did you have the baby yet?

Aya, how are you doing????

Sending you lots of love and hugs!