Pelvic exam--OUCH! update

andrieya · September 2014

Had my 38 week appt today with my first cervical check. Whoa! That hurt! The pressure from the doctor's finger had me thinking she was going to make my bum hole an outtie! Although it was quick, the pain has brought back my fears of pain during labor. Ugh. 1cm dilated. I can't believe how big that little hole is going to get....

(

*second exam today and with a different doctor--she was SO gentle! Didn't hurt a bit....unfortunately, still only 1cm*

golfingdarwinfish · September 2014

The title of this is going to scare so many people.... Actually this whole post is making me uneasy and I'm crossing my legs. :-w

Aarg · September 2014

They really get in there, don't they?!

Ugh. I dread hearing "let's check you out!" ... So uncomfortable. :-q

angelle530 · September 2014

I had my first cervical check/pelvic exam last week. It was uncomfortable and only slightly painful! But I am definitely not looking forward to having this done weekly.

TheOtherJacobsons · September 2014

I had one when I was 10cm... The cervical check was the least of my worries. No sense in worrying about something you can't really control. Try not to freak out....or freak anyone else out.

Though, I would recommend the hypnobirthing fear exercise. You should come to terms with these feelings so that you can move passed them.

[Deleted User] · September 2014

andrieya said:
Had my 38 week appt today with my first cervical check. Whoa! That hurt! The pressure from the doctor's finger had me thinking she was going to make my bum hole an outtie! Although it was quick, the pain has brought back my fears of pain during labor. Ugh. 1cm dilated. I can't believe how big that little hole is going to get.... (

:-O F.

pepperpotts317 · September 2014

Just try and take a deep breath and relax. The more tense you are, the more uncomfortable. I really don't think they are a big deal and they tend to be over pretty quick.

BreandMikewedding · September 2014

Don't tense up and don't arch your back. It makes it way worse. Put your chin to your chest and breath out as they are checking. And think of it as a positive. They are checking to see how soon you might be holding your little bundle of joy.

MrsMac613 · September 2014

I had my first one this week at 36 weeks. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Uncomfortable but not painful. I just took slow deep breathes until she was done.

andrieya · September 2014

Sorry guys--was trying to add to it but spotty service is not allowing me to edit. I meant to mention that when I spoke with my BFF about it, she experienced more pressure in the front area not so much rectal. Everyone is different! Maybe my doctor just had big man hands or something?

Roseypants · September 2014

bahaha! All of your responses made me laugh. A pelvic exam is certainly not all sunshine and rainbows.. but think what's about to come out of there. The exam should be the least of your worries.

MuffinMom14 · September 2014

When I declined it at my last appointment (and got her to agree to not do them until I'm 38 weeks), she said "it's just one finger. A baby's head is much worse....BUUUUUUT you will have an epidural."

And I said "you are damned right I will."

[Deleted User] · September 2014

My other great fear is that the pressure from it is going to somehow make me fart in doc's face. Please God no.

DreadGamerWife · September 2014

I had one yesterday due to the pre-e scare. While it hurt while she was doing the check, the pain went away very quickly afterwards and I have had worse poop cramps. And she commented that since my cervix was very high, it took longer than it normally would.

golfingdarwinfish · September 2014

Roseypants said:
bahaha! All of your responses made me laugh. A pelvic exam is certainly not all sunshine and rainbows.. but think what's about to come out of there. The exam should be the least of your worries.

I've already had one and know that, and I don't think anyone expects sunshine and rainbows, but this topic has been discussed on basically every randoms thread vs people creating a new thread to discuss their exam or how awful it was or wasn't.

atraveller · September 2014

golfingdarwinfish said:

The title of this is going to scare so many people.... Actually this whole post is making me uneasy and I'm crossing my legs. :-w

MrsMac613
savagek7 - I've had two now and they really weren't all that bad. Maybe my doctors are just super gentle (the first one was with a doctor I know is one of the favorites by patients in the practice and she literally talked me through it and it was over lickety split. And the 2nd by my normal doctor and she wasn't quite as gentle but it was just a little pressure and then done. Maybe its cause my cervix is still closed, but it really wasn't that bad to me.

andrieya · September 2014

@golfingdarwinfish‌ I know that FTM have discussed being nervous about it and other moms have chimed in, but being that I'm one of the early Octobers, I thought I'd start a thread for people to say how theirs went.

Dubsgirlie · September 2014

I feel like if people get scared by the post or even it's title, then they should probably pick up a book and start reading up on birth. This is the last thing they have to be scared about. I wish someone had told me what I can expect before I had my DS, because I came out thinking the same thing as OP.

golfingdarwinfish · September 2014

Dubsgirlie said:
I feel like if people get scared by the post or even it's title, then they should probably pick up a book and start reading up on birth. This is the last thing they have to be scared about. I wish someone had told me what I can expect before I had my DS, because I came out thinking the same thing as OP.

I think that you're reading too much into my use of the word "scare". I was more reflecting on the fact that this is discussed everyday in the randoms thread.

golfingdarwinfish · September 2014

crawford411 said:
I've had several (maybe 6?) due to PTL scares. The first one was the most painful by far because my cervix was higher, firm, and closed. As you're cervix moves down and preps for delivery, the checks get far less painful. Once you know what to expect, it's really not bad.

I always tell my patients to take a deep breath in and breathe it out while I check the cervix. This makes it harder to tense your muscles, which is part of what causes the pain. Making a fist with both hands and putting them behind your tailbone lifts your pelvis and makes the cervix easier to reach, so ask if you can try that next time.

Thanks for the tips!!!

Thewizardofrhythm · September 2014

OP im glad you posted this. I had no idea it may hurt. Thanks for the warning!

AmandaJean12 · September 2014

crawford411 said:
I've had several (maybe 6?) due to PTL scares. The first one was the most painful by far because my cervix was higher, firm, and closed. As you're cervix moves down and preps for delivery, the checks get far less painful. Once you know what to expect, it's really not bad.

I always tell my patients to take a deep breath in and breathe it out while I check the cervix. This makes it harder to tense your muscles, which is part of what causes the pain. Making a fist with both hands and putting them behind your tailbone lifts your pelvis and makes the cervix easier to reach, so ask if you can try that next time.

I had a different OB this week who had me do the fist under the tailbone thing and it did seem to make it easier. I had never heard that before but totally worth trying if the exams bug you.

CubanPinky · September 2014

deezidee04 said:

My other great fear is that the pressure from it is going to somehow make me fart in doc's face. Please God no.

@deezidee04 glad i wasnt the only one that felt like this

)

Dani0329 · September 2014

I had my first this past week, it wasn't too bad. Hopefully the tips will help, I have trouble relaxing!

KingsDaughter76 · September 2014

Hmmm...my midwives are always super gentle when they check me- its never really hurt or anything...now I had a male doctor do a check once and man oh man (no pun intended..lol) he hurt me SOOOOOO bad!!! I vowed then and there to only use a female doctor/midwife...haha!

Slapdashalice · September 2014

I barely felt mine and it was over in seconds. Now I feel like I have a big vajayjay or something! lol

cozybluebear · September 2014

I find it feels less and less uncomfortable the more baby drops!

HappyCianci · September 2014

This is all enlightening to me. I had no idea people thought cervix checks were so terrible. I had one last week and it was NBD. Huh!

Sotho girl · September 2014

Had mine checked on Wednesday. It hurt really bad. Hopefully as the baby drops they won't hurt as bad.

WiFiMom2be · September 2014

I had one last week and one today. Both hurt a lot but were over quickly. My cervix is still completely closed. I think the one today caused some pink spotting for me. I'll try to relax for the next one. Makes sense that would help. Thanks for the tips!

LightBright515 · September 2014

Yeah, I was worried about passing gas.

No biggie.

mamachelsea · September 2014

I had my first one today and it wasn't too bad. Def some cramping and even contracting after. Midwife said she tickled baby's head! What?!!

MrsL2B · September 2014

I've had four over the past few weeks, and while they're definitely not my favorite thing, they're not as bad as a pap smear. I had a different doc each time, and only one was super gentle. They all seem to have a slightly different technique.

cmcookaln · September 2014

I really didn't think it was that big a deal. The doctor kept saying I would feel pressure, but I really didn't think it was painful at all. I think the worst part was the fact that my husband was sitting there while another man had his fingers in my female parts.

MarielElizabeth1982 · September 2014

I had my first on Thursday- 36 weeks. Didn't hurt at all ! Yay for me- im hoping thats a good sign !

amstevens78 · September 2014

I have had them the past 4 doctors appointments done by my OB (male) and my MW (female). Neither of which hurt me at all. I will say when I had to go to L&D the nurses that checked me was a lot tougher than I was used to. Still wasn't that bad.