? about 6 week exam

Minipenguin · February 2013

For those who have had their 6 week postpartum exam: was the speculum painful? I am really, really irrationally afraid of getting this done. I had very minimal tearing but I have heard so many horror stories about sex at 6 weeks being painful. So, was your exam painful? Sore? Nbd?

JuddandJessica · February 2013

Not painful at all. It felt a little awkward but there was no pain.

mbredin · February 2013

She didn't use a speculum just 2 fingers to palpate uterine placement. It was quick and painless.

kimmlet · February 2013

Not painful at all, it felt like a regular visit. I had a 1st degree tear.

jobiann · February 2013

It was just as uncomfortable as it normally is, not really painful just annoying. I thought it was going to hurt but it really didn't. I had a 2nd degree tear.

My scar area feels different because of the scar tissue but luckily it doesn't hurt at all, just a weird texture. My doctor said it's normal and I have been doing normal activities (working out, sex, etc.) for two weeks now.

ecu0505 · February 2013

My Dr. only used her fingers for the internal.

NortyLeigh · February 2013

My doctor also used fingers and no speculum. I had two 2nd degree tears and an episiotomy AND my bladder has fallen and the exam didn't hurt at all! You will be just fine.

aklawrence1 · February 2013

My OB didn't use a speculum at all. She just used 2 fingers, so no pain at all for me. Some brief discomfort, but no big deal.

SPK926 · February 2013

I had an episiotomy and a 4th degree tear and it wasn't painful. I was nervous too but I was laying there talking to the nurse and hadn't even known that he inserted it. Don't worry!

this decaf life · February 2013

It was totally NBD, I had a 2nd degree and I thought it was no less uncomfortable than usual.

babygirlva2013 · February 2013

I didnt experience much pain. A little, but nothing bad. I also didn't find sex to be that painful either...just use lots of lube.

ChariZae · February 2013

A little uncomfortable but certainly not painful. I had a second degree tear, my OB used the speculum, and a week later I had a vaginal ultrasound (which also wasn't painful).

jastl32 · February 2013

This time was NBD but after my first pregnancy and having a second degree tear, I remember it being pretty painful.

nivet36 · February 2013

I WAS TERRIFIED of my appt. So much so that I rescheduled it three times.

My advice...TELL your practioner how scared you are about it. I did and she walked me through the whole thing and gave me some great tips...here are a few:

Relax your jaw. If your jaw is relaxed, your perinium is as well.

Lay with your palms up. It's harder for us to be anxious with our palms up.

Tell your practioner you'd like to 'bear down' with the speculum insertion. I know, I know...sounds CRAZY but it really did help. I didn't even feel it go in.

I had a second degree tear with about 20-30 minutes of stitches- which hadn't completely healed at the time of my exam.

GL - It'll be fine!

MrsT0514 · February 2013

Hmm...am I the only one who didn't have an actual exam at my 6 week PP visit?

My OB said she'd really only need to do an exam if there were complications with my labor/delivery. I thought it was strange that she didn't need to examine me, but at the same time, I had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery with only a small superficial tear, so I didn't second guess her professional opinion.

We just went over how I was feeling and decided on PP birth control. That's about it. I go back for my annual pap in July.