WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for December, 1998: Re: pelvic exam

Re: pelvic exam

From: Barbara (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 16 Dec 1998 11:10:29 -0600 (CST)

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Dear Emma,

OK this is one I Really can answer...............

I am a retired nurse.....That means I do not work in the active hospital-physician setting but I did. I worked for a group of wonderful Internal Medicine physicians and here's the scoop on how we did exams in our office. (I do think it works that way just about everywhere)

you wrote: (snipped) I spent the whole examination trying to figure out >whether the speculum actually hurt, or if it was just really >uncomfortable. When it was open it felt as though it was taking up room >that wasn't there (!!!!)if that makes any sense.

Emma there could be a Lot or reasons for this............was your vagina inflamed from an infection? Have you ever had children? (this of course makes the vagina a bit larger and therefore not as apt to be as sensaative during an exam)

My question is, do >other women experience this sensation, or am I simply oversensitive?

See Above:

>
>My other question is: Does a nurse always have to be present during an
>examination? Not only was a nurse present in the room, but she actually
>stood down my doctor's end of the table and watched what he was doing. I
>was a bit shocked as I did not know that a nurse would be present.

Here's the part I am an "expert" on:

The nurse stands by the examiner because they pass the instruments and help with the pap smear slide. She also is un-fortunatly required to be there to protect the examiner from the potential for a law suit. You are aware of course that this is Very necessary in order to protect excellent Medical Professionals from litigation by patients.

I just had a yearly exam by a good OBGYN.net physician here in Austin and we are personal friends as well as the fact that I am his client.....The nurse was there during the entire exam part but left the room as soon as it was over. Also my doc saw me in private in his office to discuss problems if any before the exam. Some do this some don't.

I'm pretty laid-back when it comes to pelvic exams but after 4 children I think that made a Big Difference in my anxiety level.

>My only other examination (including my first pap smear) was in surgery,
>so I knew there would be nurses there.

No difference, see above:

>Could it have been because I am a minor that the nurse was there?

Absolutly for minors but also for just about everyone esle too. See above:

Is it >usual or necessary for the nurse to have to look at what the doctor is
>doing?

Emma, as a retired nurse please believe me when I tell you this is part of our job. No one is "lookin" for any reason except because they are working. I nurse turning her head or standing in a conner is Not able to do what is needed by the Medical Professional. Which is help them......

>
>I am just a bit confused and would appreciate answers from anyone who
>has had more experience with pelvic exams than me!!!!

I hope I have helped you and I do hope your feeling better.

Barbara

--
Barbara Nesbitt
Editor, OBGYN.net

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