https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 28 May 2026 03:34:11 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pelvic-exam-after-c-section#post-1356822 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 13:38:29 +0000 ShootingStar 1356822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks SO much to everyone who suggested I decline the internal exam. My appointment was delayed until today due to a snow storm and it went great. Without the input here I wouldn't have had the courage to say I didn't want the exam, but I did and they were totally fine with it. My OB was so nice and said I'd been through the ringer with my delivery and she didn't blame me, and it wasn't that important since I didn't have a vaginal delivery. Phew, I'm so relieved :-). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pelvic-exam-after-c-section#post-1312597 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 05:20:42 +0000 daniellemybelle 1312597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My internal exam was very quick to check that my cervix was closed. She didn't use a speculum. If you dilated at all, I honestly think it's a good idea to have one. I was going to suggest a Xanax like @yoursilverlining. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pelvic-exam-after-c-section#post-1312112 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 19:29:49 +0000 yoursilverlining 1312112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did not have one at 6 weeks - just felt around my incision to make sure it was healed.</p> <p>You should talk to your provider though; trust me, they won't think you are being silly. I had a lot of anxiety around internal exams for years following sexual assault. My doctor has always been very understanding about that fear/discomfort. There are different size speculams they can use, go very quickly, be quiet during the exam, talk you through every step, etc. I've had exams with multiple providers and all were very respectful of my needs. As a last resort, there is always Valium if you need an exam and feel like that might help (it helped me). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pelvic-exam-after-c-section#post-1312077 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 19:13:32 +0000 GrapeCrush 1312077@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes I did have an internal exam. He check to make sure I was closed and healed. I'm sure if you talked to your doc they'd probably understand and skip it. Especially seeing that some people didn't even have one </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pelvic-exam-after-c-section#post-1312066 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 19:04:51 +0000 tinyperson 1312066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went in expecting an exam, but he just checked my incision and sent me on my way! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pelvic-exam-after-c-section#post-1312034 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 18:46:16 +0000 ShootingStar 1312034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: I'm sorry you've been having a rough time too :(.</p> <p>@lilteacherbee: I'm glad I'm not the only one to feel some trauma from rough exams. I've been feeling like it's silly since I didn't give birth vaginally. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pelvic-exam-after-c-section#post-1312028 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 18:42:44 +0000 Dandelion 1312028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can skip any procedure you don't want to consent to. Just have them check your incision and let them tell you what to look out for. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pelvic-exam-after-c-section#post-1312026 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 18:40:28 +0000 lilteacherbee 1312026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: I'm sorry you're feeling this way! I've been like that for a long time due to medical stuff when I was a kid and rough, painful paps when I was younger. I used to be terrified of any medical procedure, but I've since gotten way better. OB/GYN stuff still freaks me out a bit though. I totally get it.</p> <p>To answer your question, no, my doctor didn't do an internal exam at my postpartum visit. He checked my incision and asked me some questions, but that's about it. At the end, he mentioned that I would be due for another pap in May. I went in dreading it because I really didn't want an exam and I was pleasantly surprised. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pelvic-exam-after-c-section#post-1312017 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 18:36:28 +0000 Arden 1312017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get it. I had/have some serious trauma from my labor and delivery and I don't want hands anywhere near there. It caused immense anxiety when I went in for my 6 week and it still is causing problems with intimacy. Wall me if you want to talk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pelvic-exam-after-c-section#post-1312016 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 18:35:35 +0000 JerricaBenton 1312016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep. I had one at 6 weeks. I was surprised when the nurse asked me to get undressed. I was like, 'umm wait, but I had a csection!' I'm sorry you're having anxiety about it. Hopefully your dr can put you at ease or maybe you can even refuse the internal? I've been putting off my annual because I'm just done with people up in my biz for a while.<br /> ETA I'm going to say no to a lot more next time around. Because it was all so new to me I just did whatever the drs said but I'm going to say no to a pap during pregnancy and internal exams next time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pelvic-exam-after-c-section#post-1312015 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 18:35:21 +0000 ShootingStar 1312015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: It's not so much about being afraid of it being painful. I didn't give birth vaginally, so logically I know it's not going to be more painful than any other exam I had previous to the day I was in labor. But I feel kind of traumatized by all the painful exams/procedures I did have and I really don't want anyone touching me. I can't even handle DH doing it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pelvic-exam-after-c-section#post-1312013 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 18:35:09 +0000 brady80 1312013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope. My doctor said since I'm up to date with my Pap there was no need. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pelvic-exam-after-c-section#post-1312007 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 18:32:18 +0000 Bao 1312007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: I didn't have a c section so not sure if I'm any help but I had 3rd degree tears and a boat load of stitches. I was terrified for my 6 week check up. However, it hurt WAY less than exams I had when I wasn't even pregnant. I was shocked. So if they do need to do one, try not to panic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pelvic-exam-after-c-section#post-1312006 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 18:31:53 +0000 petunia354 1312006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: I think maybe you should say something about it at your appointment! I think they should know how you feel and I'm sure they won't think you are being silly!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pelvic-exam-after-c-section#post-1312005 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 18:31:52 +0000 singingbee 1312005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: I'm sorry!!! Maybe explain your worries and come up with something else. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pelvic-exam-after-c-section#post-1312002 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 18:30:12 +0000 anandam 1312002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Usually you will have both speculum and bimanual exams to check that your cervix has closed (since you did at least start labor), bleeding has stopped and there's no sign of infection, uterus has involuted (gone back to completely nonpregnant size), etc. </p> <p>But any provider worth his/her license should care about discussing your birth trauma at the postpartum visit as well! Most complications the exam checks for would be symptomatic, so an understanding care giver may hear you out and negotiate what exams are necessary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pelvic-exam-after-c-section#post-1312001 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 18:30:07 +0000 petunia354 1312001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gosh, I don't even remember. I want to say yes, though. I didn't need a pap since I had one while pregnant but I'm pretty sure they did an internal exam.</p> <p>I hope you can get away without having one but if you don't, my fingers are crossed that it isn't painful/traumatic for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pelvic-exam-after-c-section#post-1312000 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 18:29:29 +0000 ShootingStar 1312000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jennimac: It's the whole hands touching down there thing that I'm not comfortable with :(. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pelvic-exam-after-c-section#post-1311998 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 18:28:36 +0000 singingbee 1311998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He just did an exam with his hands to see if everything was closed. Probably my easiest internal exam ever! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pelvic-exam-after-c-section#post-1311993 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 18:25:59 +0000 ShootingStar 1311993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For all of you who have had c-sections, did you need to have a pelvic exam at your 6 week postpartum visit? I don't need/want a pap smear and I'd really like to avoid an internal exam.</p> <p>I'm starting to realize I'm a little traumatized after some painful experiences the day I gave birth. I had a lot of painful internal checks and the placement of the foley catheter for my induction makes me never want to even see a speculum again. It's even causing anxiety about intimacy with DH :(. </p> <p>But I hate to get into this at my appointment, because I feel like they'll think it's a little silly. Or not a good enough reason to avoid an exam. </p>