62: Vaginal Exams

Third trimester starts in week 28 and appointments with your care provider increase to every two weeks. The last month of your pregnancy you will be seeing your doctor or midwife weekly. Vaginal exams can be recommended during your pregnancy in the last few weeks leading up to your birth, and during your labor. The question is, are they really necessary and will you benefit from the results? Vaginal exams have become a routine, but questions about what the results show, the risks involved, and the psychological effects of the results have some expecting moms questioning whether they want to opt in to these procedures. Find out what is involved during a vaginal exam, how the results are interpreted, and what the results mean for you and your baby. This episode presents all of the research and evidence to help you make an informed decision about vaginal exams.