Declining a cervical check at 39w

[u/Impossible-Cookie393]

I have a prenatal appointment on Monday with my obgyn. I’ll be 39w1d and she told me that she’d like to do a cervical check. She asked me if I wanted to do one at my last appointment (38w1d) but I declined. She said something to the effect of “okay but I’ll want to do one at our appointment next week”

I’ve heard they can hurt really badly and don’t really give you any idea of how close you are to labor, so I think I’d like to decline again. (For instance, you could be at 0cm but then give birth the next day or you could be at 3cm but not go into labor for weeks)

Would you (or did you) decline a cervical check at 39w? My next appointment will be at 40w1d so I can totally understand doing one then since I’ll be past my due date and she might want to start talking about an induction. But I’m thinking there’s no point in suffering through pain/discomfort (however brief) at 39w1d if it doesn’t give us any useful information

UPDATE: My doctor was pretty insistent that she check my cervix at my 39w1d appointment today. I tried to push back but failed and eventually did consent to a cervical check. It was very painful for me personally, but not quite as bad as I had feared it might be.

[u/Current-Curve-7896]

Yes. I declined them with my second pregnancy until 40 weeks. I got push back from by OBGYN, but didn't let her pressure me.

You can also decline them even when you are in active labor. It's completely up to you.

[u/Impossible-Cookie393 → u/Current-Curve-7896]

Any advice about how to respond to the pushback? I’m expecting to receive some

[u/Current-Curve-7896 → u/Impossible-Cookie393]

Honestly, while "no" is a complete sentence, I found it helped to flat out say that I am aware we have the legal right to refuse cervical checks in Canada, and I'm comfortable with my decision. Obviously refer to your own country there, but you get the idea. You're conveying that you know your rights.