Giant old man hands in my vag? My first internal...

acia

So my OB usually starts giving internals at 38 weeks. I have an appointment today, but my regular OB is away. Instead, I'll be seeing another OB in her practice, who I've never met, but seen from a distance - and is a very large, very old man (my regular OB is a 30-something female).

Normally I wouldn't care who I saw, but considering this could potentially be my first internal (my OB gave me a choice), I'm worried about it being done by someone I don't know, who could potentially have very large hands. Okay, I realize this sounds a bit ridiculous... I guess I don't really know how internals are done... Is it just like a PAP with a speculum, or do they literally just stick their entire hand up there to figure out what's going on? Would the size of hands matter? (I can't even believe I'm asking this!)

Do you think I should skip the internal today, which is not at all mandatory, and wait until my next appointment in 9 days? Or should I just suck it up and let some strange large-handed old man give me my internal?

Adriamichelle83

lol sorry...I had to giggle. He'll just use his fingers, and actually, it's a better thing if his fingers are not small, as my doctors are. He'll be able to feel easier with out having to go too far in you. But if you don't feel comfortable with it, just wait. I see a different doctor nearly every time, so I'm used to it. Any of mine could be on call when I go into labor, that's why they have us see/meet at least once with all of them.

MelissaMc22

Lol, this is totally something I would think about too!

They don;t use any tools or anything, it's usually just fingers. It only lasts a few secounds and is about as "pain/pressure" as a pap.

Good luck, hope for some progress!

heatherlane

Mine yesterday was uncomfortable, but not really painful.

That being said, if you haven't had any symptoms of labor (I've had no signs of MP, no contrax, not even BH, etc.) then I would say it's best to just not know. I had the option yesterday and wish I hadn't now.

evhamm

if I were you, for your first internal, (mine is this afternoon), you should have the caregiver you feel more comfortable doing it...

if he's got large hands, then his measuring may be off from your normal OB (kinda like how weight scales are different unless you're weighed at the same place every time) and he may give you false hope...

again, if I were you, I'd pass on the internal - you could still have a few weeks to go and I think it'd be better to wait till 39 or 40 wks.

Kimberly74

They typically use fingers to feel your cervix.  While I get your apprehension, you do know that when you are in labor, there will be lots of different internal checks and monitoring and there's no guarantee that your OB will be the one there.  I say, you might as well get used to it now.

MrsQueenB

I would wait. It is not like a pap, they put their hands up there. I've had the male OB's give me internals (ouch!) and the midwives have done them too. Men have much larger hands and are not anywhere near as gentle.

acia

Adriamichelle83:

lol sorry...I had to giggle. He'll just use his fingers, and actually, it's a better thing if his fingers are not small, as my doctors are. He'll be able to feel easier with out having to go too far in you. But if you don't feel comfortable with it, just wait. I see a different doctor nearly every time, so I'm used to it. Any of mine could be on call when I go into labor, that's why they have us see/meet at least once with all of them.

I know, I'm so ridiculous.... I can't believe this is something I'm even thinking about! But I guess the bottom line is that maybe I should hope that he's got big hands?? Oh boy.... LOL.

Adriamichelle83

acia:

I know, I'm so ridiculous.... I can't believe this is something I'm even thinking about! But I guess the bottom line is that maybe I should hope that he's got big hands?? Oh boy.... LOL.

lol FINGERS...not hands...pray no hands are involved!

amhough

I've had four internals at this point, three with one MW, one with a different one.  The first three were fine, barely uncomfortable.  This past one she wanted to verify he was head down, and it felt like she was in there up to her elbow!  I don't honestly thinnk hand size is gonna make a difference, but if you are uncomfortable just wait till next week.