No, but *why* cervical checks before labor?

Post date: 2019-04-14 01:01:32
Views: 235
Medical professionals: What medical reason do doctors have for performing cervical checks in the weeks before labor? Let's say "they just want to know" isn't an acceptable answer unless there is a "because medical benefit X..." after it. This is a general question only- no medical advice wanted or needed.

You are not my doctor/PA/L&D nurse, etc, I'm asking my own doctor but I'm not really following the rational. He's a great doctor, but not always super clear. Can you walk me through the basic arguments for checks that don't include "just wanting to know"?

I am not a doctor and I absolutely respect the skills and knowledge possessed by medical pros. For a lot of reasons, I am not comfortable with extra medical procedures or exams. My doctor wants to check my cervix weekly (starting at 36 weeks) and says the reason is because he needs a "baseline". This doesn't make a lot of sense to me because the following:

1. We mostly all start out with a closed cervix so isn't the baseline zero?
2. If the dilation can speed up or stall at any point in the process before labor, how does a change provide usable information? For Example, if I'm at 3 cm at 36 weeks- how could a change or lack of a change influence their recommendations at 39 weeks?

Questions:
1. Even if you don't agree with the reasoning, what could be the medical benefit that would make a doctor recommend weekly cervical checks on a pregnancy that is otherwise healthy (negative for GBS, no IC, no GD)? I have a hard time with the idea that they don't actually have a reason other than curiosity- doctors are scientists, the generally have reason for doing stuff.

2. I haven't been able to find any recent studies that address the actual benefit to these other than some very weird ones from the 70s or 80s- but I'm not a pro so maybe I'm missing them? Have there been any recent looks at if these checks have any benefit or pose any significant risk?

**please note, I am not looking for advice about me personally. I also would appreciate if people could avoid telling me to "get used to it" (why do people say these things?). It would also not be helpful for women who have previously had them to tell me that they aren't that bad, that they "just wanted to know" or that they trust their doctors. I get it, have your feelings, but I'm looking for data here.
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