So, your first pelvic exam is approaching. That means you’re closing in on 21 or that you’ve become sexually active and want to take care of your reproductive health. Are you anxious about this procedure? The good news is that you’re not alone. Many women are nervous about that looming initial test. Not only do the doctors here at South Miami Gynecology acknowledge this, but we also strive to give you the best care possible during this process.

This blog post aims to prepare you for that first pelvic exam. We will discuss the pelvic exam process, what to expect from pelvic exams during pregnancy, bimanual pregnancy exams, and the pelvic exam position.

Preparation for Your First Pelvic Exam

Confident Serious Young European Female Sitting on Chair in Waiting Room With Electronic Tablet

There are several ways you can prepare for your first pelvic exam that will make your experience as positive as possible.

  1. Do your best to relax. Added and often unnecessary, stress will make any situation worse. According to many professionals, relaxation techniques include deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation. There are also other ways to decrease that pent-up anxiety, such as finding a doctor you trust implicitly and preparing any questions you have about the testing, even if your chance to ask is on the day of the procedure.
  2. Arrive clean for your self-assurance and to achieve the most accurate results possible.
  3. Get a clear image in your head about what’s okay versus what’s not okay. That means if anything hurts, it’s healthy to say so. It’s also important to listen to your body when it sends such a brazen signal as pain. Pain is one of the body’s many defense mechanisms, so ignoring it isn’t good. Also, if you’re uncomfortable with any aspect of your pelvic exam, as indicated above, speak up to your doctor. Your South Miami gynecologist is there to help you.
  4. Avoid sexual intercourse or douching for at least 24 hours and up to 48 hours to ensure accurate results. The idea is the fewer abnormal cells you have at the time of testing, the better.
  5. Last and certainly not least, empty your bladder before the test since the doctor will be pushing and pressing on and around it during the testing. This will avoid accidents.

Pelvic Exams During Pregnancy: The Facts

Pelvic exams during pregnancy differ slightly from pelvic exams for nonpregnant women due to a greater number of them. Here’s what you can expect.

  1. The majority of gynecologists tend to agree that pelvic exams during pregnancy are essential to the health of both you and your baby.
  2. Your doctor will usually perform a pelvic exam during your pregnancy on your initial visit. Once you hit your ninth and final month of pregnancy, you’ll probably have one nearly every visit. However, the latter tests will be bimanual pelvic exams, during which your doctor will insert two fingers into your vagina to get a feel for your cervix while placing their other hand on your abdomen to sense the top of your uterus.
  3. Bimanual pelvic exams are pretty basic and involve the use of both the doctor’s hands, hence the name. Your doctor will be pressing in different places on your abdomen, so it’s definitely important to let them know if anywhere hurts when pressed. The patients’ section of the website “Uroweb” gives a pretty clear definition of bimanual pelvic exams, should you need further explanation.
  4. The bimanual pelvic exams and their frequency during pregnancy can seem daunting, especially to women who have never had a doctor perform a pelvic exam before that, so that’s why it’s vital to find a fully trusted doctor like those at South Miami Gynecology. Be proactive, not only in your physical health but also your mental health. Peace of mind during pregnancy will help the process a great deal.

What to Expect From Your First Pelvic Exam

Doctor During a Pelvic Examination

Here’s a general overview of what you can expect from your first pelvic exam. 

  1. To begin, you’ll undress and change into a medical gown, after which a member of the staff will check your vitals. Next, the doctor will do an external visual exam of your breasts and vulva to check for things like uterine prolapse or breast cancer.
  2. Next, you’ll assume the pelvic exam position, which involves lying back and placing your feet in the stirrups attached to the doctor’s exam table. The position during the pelvic exam can be another difficult aspect of the procedure for some women, a loss of control for their bodies. Again, trust is key to this process, and never be afraid to voice any discomfiture.
  3. You’ll then get a speculum test to check for things like a bacterial infection or sexually transmitted diseases, and you’ll get a pap smear to rule out cervical cancer. The speculum might seem scary, but the most discomfort you should feel under normal circumstances is a little pressure upon its insertion. It’s also good to note that this device doesn’t collect any cells; it just allows you and the doctor to see your cervix. So, voice any pain as it happens. It’s also worth noting that you may have a bit of spotting after the procedure, but that’s normal.
  4. Finally, you’ll have the bimanual pelvic exam mentioned above, simply to see how healthy your uterus and ovaries are.
  5. You can expect to be uncomfortable during the process and feel sensations you may not like under the circumstances. This is a very common experience, and you shouldn’t be ashamed of yourself for it. There are various other forms of techniques for relaxation to help with this, like guided imagery or a mindfulness approach, to get out of the anxiety within your mind and become more aware of your environment. Remember that the doctors of South Miami Gynecology are there to help you, that all these tests are for the benefit of your reproductive health.

Parting Thoughts on the End of Your First Pelvic Exam Experience

Once the exam concludes, it’s a good idea to ask any questions you may have, and then it would be nice to reward yourself for sticking with it and contributing to a healthier you. Go see a movie, eat a favorite treat or go out to a favorite restaurant. South Miami Gynecology’s mission is “to provide the highest quality and care in women’s health.” Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns about your pelvic exam.