Infant vaginal exams - Page 2

[leighann79]

I would be uncomfortable with such a check. A quick look, maybe. But not like you describe.

[mamazee]

Even a quick check for a labial adhesion would have to involve spreading the labia to see if there is an adhesion. I'm surprised all pediatricians don't do this, as it seems like an important thing to check for. It isn't sexual. It's just a part of the body that often has a specific problem at that age. I expect them to look in my dd's ears, too.

[intrepidmother]

My DD never gets vaginal examinations. I'm totally uncomfortable with the idea. It'd be different if they asked before administering them and you had the opportunity to process the idea before it happens. It might be legit, but it sounds a little excessive to me.

[Cherry Alive]

My dd is 13-14 months and never has had any exams like that. The doctor takes off her diaper to quickly check for diaper rash and that's it. He was trained by and works for Hopkins so I really think he'd be on the up and up if it was necessary. My feeling is it's an obsolete and invasive procedure. If I ever encounter any one who attempts to that to my daughter while she's a child (without there being a really good reason) we'll be firing them.

Vaginal adhesions are rarely a big deal. Most go away on their own by the time the child is an adult (usually waaaay sooner), and they don't really need to be separated unless the little girl is having difficulty peeing or getting infections. I've read a lot experiences of parents having their DDs' labias torn by doctors during these exams (to remove adhesions) without warned or told—leaving a bleeding and/or crying baby.

[1stBabyAt39]

I would also be uncomfortable with such an exam.

At each of DD's well child visits, her pediatrician (a female) unhooks her diaper & takes a quick peek to check for diaper rash or anything else out of the ordinary, but she doesn't touch her or look too closely.

[ssh]

Originally Posted by Evie's Mama

Our ped will unhook one side of the diaper and take a quick look for rash and that's it. No touching or anything. I would not be comfortable with that.

This.

[hakeber]

The ped has never done this with my girl either. Just a peak at her bum and between the thigh rolls to check for rashes. But she is only just 3 months, and the peak age for this condition of adhesions is not until after that time and more specifically between 13 and 23 months.

I am not sure why a doctor would check before that time, maybe being super vigilant? But it seems it is asymptomatic for most babies, so I am not sure most doctors would check unless prompted by the parents.

I would not be worried so much from the POV of sexual abuse as much as from the POV that any adhesions could be torn, like when the doctors try to retract the foreskin, causing pain and risk of infection...so I would be concerned and ask them to leave the vaginal inspections of my infant up to me and if I saw anything out of the ordinary, I would let them know.

[Mamabeakley]

I wonder if OP's DD's pediatrician has noticed an adhesion or other irregularity and is following it, but failed to discuss it with the OP. Otherwise, I can't see why such frequent checks would be necessary, assuming that OP is regularly changing diapers and cleaning the area.

DD (8 mo) is my first daughter, so this whole topic was educational to me - but I can't imagine that I would fail to notice a significant adhesion should one occur!

I am getting ready to tell the Dr. that she can't examine DS2's testicles at his upcoming 4 yo physical - he is EXTREMELY modest and would totally freak out at the idea - and we know they're descended (since he's okay with me & DH & DS1 seeing him naked but NO ONE else.)

[Juvysen]

hmm... seems like our ped did examine DD like that but I don't really remember. FWIW, my niece's vaginal opening is apparently nearly completely closed up with what I have to guess are adhesions... she just turned 3. No clue what that will mean for her, though...

[Just1More]

Hmm...when we took dd they said it was to check for abuse...

That's a toughie. Cuz if I say "hands off" it looks like I'm hiding something, and if I don't say anything, then I'm sacrificing her privacy.

They always check ds, too.

But...we aren't regulars, maybe a once a year check up, maybe.

I still don't like it, but I always feel trapped.

[calebsmommy25]

I don't have a daughter, but if I did (hopefully someday will!) I would not be okay with *routine* vaginal exams at.all. Her first check-up or right after delivery, but not the way you describe it. If it was a concern, it would be different. If you are uncomfortable with it, then stand up and say so. I know sometimes docs can be intimidating if you oppose one of their routine procedures, but you need to say something. Even something as simple as, you know..."I really don't feel comfortable with all of the exams she has been getting, I don't feel they are necessary since no problem has been found. If you can give me a reason why it is very important, I would be happy to consider it. If there is something I should be looking for at home to indicate a problem, please let me know."

Having an intact boy is a whole different ball game at the doc office. I now have a strict "the diaper stays on no matter what" policy after several docs have proven they do not know how to care for an intact penis.

[elmh23]

We have a family doc and he's only taken off their diapers to check for hip clicks in the first three months or so and for the boys to make sure their testicals are desended at their first appt only. Oh, and with dd (my oldest) to diagnose a yeast infection (I'd never seen one before.)

[Sarah W]

Originally Posted by mamazee

Both my girls have always been checked for adhesions at visits.

DD has had three different providers and they've always checked. It's quick, though.

[KBinSATX]

Originally Posted by Cherry Alive

Vaginal adhesions are rarely a big deal. Most go away on their own by the time the child is an adult (usually waaaay sooner), and they don't really need to be separated unless the little girl is having difficulty peeing or getting infections. I've read a lot experiences of parents having their DDs' labias torn by doctors during these exams (to remove adhesions) without warned or told—leaving a bleeding and/or crying baby.

That's terrible.

[Triciabn]

WOW...I would NEVER be okay with this as routine....especially without asking me "have you seen any adhesions?"...then after saying yes or no... we may discuss such actions.
as you can see from my signature.. I have had many children in and out of this country and many places (with many docs and peds)...AND this has NEVER happened.
Like I said..without asking me first I would be insanely uncomfortable with this.]
Tricia

[claddaghmom]

At DD's first exam, he took her diaper off and showed us how to check for dysplasia/hip clicks and adhesions. We went back 2 more times...never checked then. Haven't been back since so I don't know...but it seemed to me that by him showing us it wouldn't have continued at subsequent exams.

[LaLaLaLa]

Until my DD was about a year old, I think, our pediatrician always checked her vagina. And told us what to do when DD did have a minor adhesion. Our pediatrician always checks DS' genitals, too, and advised us what to do (wait and see) and not to do (surgery) for his hydrocele. She is wonderful with both kids.

I believe my kids' doctor knows what she is doing, and knows better than I do the kinds of things to watch for. If she asks to check my kids' genitals and my kids are tiny and don't care one way or another who sees them naked, I can't see refusing her request. A medical doctor doing an examination of an infant's genitals at a doctor's office during a visit I've scheduled for the purpose of making sure the infant's body is healthy doesn't show up anywhere on my mom radar.

[Katie T]

My dr may have checked it at birth, but I have never seen him check her vag area before.

[momma_bear]

Nothing to be concerned about....they're looking for labial adhesions. If bad enough, the adhesion can cause the vagina to totally close up and even obstruct urinary flow (in extreme cases). Treating it early is important as it can lead to recurrent urinary tract infections. Also, the longer it's left, the more difficult to treat. It's treated with estrogen cream which you'd probably want to limit. Adhesions can occur any time before puberty but most often when girls are still in diapers.

So don't worry - nothing wierd is going on! Dr is just doing his job!

[Cherry Alive]

Originally Posted by momma_bear

Nothing to be concerned about....they're looking for labial adhesions. If bad enough, the adhesion can cause the vagina to totally close up and even obstruct urinary flow (in extreme cases). Treating it early is important as it can lead to recurrent urinary tract infections. Also, the longer it's left, the more difficult to treat. It's treated with estrogen cream which you'd probably want to limit. Adhesions can occur any time before puberty but most often when girls are still in diapers.

So don't worry - nothing wierd is going on! Dr is just doing his job!

It's very rare for an adhesion to be that severe and by that point parents notice it. I don't know about you guys, but I get a very decent view of my DD's "parts" when I have to clean mushy poops (they really get caked in there) so if her labia were sealed up that bad, I'd know (aside from the fact she'd probably be really red from infection and her dipes wouldn't be getting wet).

Our doctor works with emergency and cancer patients at one of the best children's hospitals in the world, and he is *very* thorough checking out his healthy patients. So if doing vaginal checks (by splaying back the labia) was truly necessary, I know for a fact he'd be doing it. He's never done it once. Just like he doesn't do other things that many pediatricians think should be required (like pressuring us to supplement or stop BFing after DD hit a year, or requiring us to vax DD for everything).

And there is nothing wrong with asking a doctor who does the vaginal checks NOT to do them—especially if you aren't comfortable with it. Even if your doctor is gentle and otherwise awesome, it's just good to be in the habit of saying no to these kinds of things in the case you (and your child) have the misfortune of encountering a doctor who is not so gentle and awesome.

There are a number of posts here from folks who have had the misfortune of their DDs' labia getting torn in these exams—as well as their boys' foreskin getting torn—from overzealous doctors. This can result in a child being traumatized or injured.