Is there anyone else out there who has NEVER had a vaginal examination (In your whole life!)
I am in the UK.
I have a four month old DAUGHTER.
I have never had (or been asked to have) a vaginal examination, for anything. Yes, I received regular antenatal care from a team midwifery system. Two midwives were present at my daughters birth.
Is it normal to have gone the whole pregnancy, labour, birth and beyond without ever having had a physical examination??? If not, why do you think I was never examined?? I keep on hearing about vaginal examinations here there and everywhere from pregnant friends, never mind here on YahooAnswers!
Has anyone else been in this situation???
2007-03-21 02:37:01 · 6 answers · asked by Up-side-down 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
It's not possible that I don't remember because I recall every moment of labour, having given birth at home without any drugs.
I also had a miscarriage before and was neever examined then either.
Like I've said I've never refused an examination!
2007-03-21 04:00:47 · update #1
I'm in the UK, and I never had one all through my pregnancy. I had several during labour to see how dilated I was, but I guess if you had a quick labour there was no need. Otherwise how did they know if it was ok for you to push? I suppose if you had pethidine or an epidural you may not have known/cared/remembered, but I think this is unlikely.
I wouldn't have had one after either, except I asked for one because I thought there was a retained stitch.
So its only the birth bit thats a bit weird, I think they won't do a VE unless they have a specific reason.
2007-03-21 03:53:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, from what little I know, I believe that vaginal exams are pretty commonplace during pregnancy, especially toward later pregnancy when they are checking your cervix for dilation. When I was first pregnant my ob/gyn did an exam with a pap just to make sure everything was okay from the get go. But I live in the US. I know that things are done differently in the UK regarding pregnancy adn there are certainly many many women who have delivered happy healthy babies without having an exam...
2007-03-21 03:19:53 · answer #2 · answered by poohb2878 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is weird. I have been pregnant 3 times and I had a vaginal exam with the first appointment to confirm pregnancy and that your cervic or something is doing what it is supposed to. This is the first pregnancy that I have made it to the second visit and he didn't do a vaginal exam but I am sure they are commonplace, especially when you are getting close to your due date to see how much you have dilated.
2007-03-21 03:30:43 · answer #3 · answered by yates_mallory 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you didn't get a Vaginal exam, how did the midwife know how far along you were? I mean thats the only way they know how many cm's you are.
I have have 3 children and always had a vaginal examination when in labour .
2007-03-21 03:27:12 · answer #4 · answered by ***Missy*** 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If your labour was fast, they wouldn't need to do internal... but i'm supprised you didn't have one at 6 week check, but thinkning about it, i didn't have one with my second child at 6 weeks.. so yes, it doesn't seam unusual not to have one. They only do them when nessessary, or if labour long, to see how far going for mothers benifit, rather than health reasons.
You must keep up to date with your smear tests though... MOST important, so book yourself one, and join the club!! xx
Another thought, could you have had one in delivery and not really been aware of it? i've just helped deliver my sister in laws baby, and she was that out of it on pethadine, she didn't even know it was being done!
2007-03-21 03:27:13 · answer #5 · answered by jenny w 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had an examination a couple weeks ago cuz i thought my waters was leakin, i was rel embarrassed lol, i wish i never had an examintation
2007-03-21 05:06:27 · answer #6 · answered by Stephie.B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋