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Internal examinations: are they necessary?
I recently had my first baby and have talked with many friends about their own antenatal and birth experiences. I was able to cope with most of the things that went on during this time, even during the delivery itself, but I did find the internal examinations embarrassing. Are they really necessary? Why do they have to do so many?
From this point, it will not usually be necessary to continue any regular vaginal examinations in the antenatal period, as they really do not provide any useful information. They will usually only be performed if there are any reported problems. At the end of the gestation period, say from 40 weeks, there will usually be, at the least, a weekly internal. These assess the state and activity of the cervix, giving the GP or midwife a better indication as to the possible starting of labour.
During the first stage of labour, an internal examination will show the progress of the effacement and the later dilation of the cervix, and also helps to identify the position and progress of the baby’s presenting part.
Internal checks at your post-natal visit at the end of your pregnancy are usual. These are usually carried out together with a cervical inspection and smear (if this is due) This will allow the doctor to ensure that both the vaginal and cervix structures have returned to normal, that any sutured lacerations or episiotomy wounds have healed and that the uterus has returned to a normal position and size.
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