6 week PP exam question...

[AFWife]

About a year ago I went to see an OBGYN for a suspected yeast infection. During my pelvic exam she asked what I'd been told during my 6 week PP pelvic...and I told her I hadn't had one. Well, she got all pissy "Well, you were supposed to!!!" and acted like my OB had done some horrible travesty.

I had a complication free birth with a 1inch 2nd degree tear...I was still bleeding lightly at 6 weeks (but I don't sit still well) with no signs of infection or anything.

Wouldn't doing an exam risk introducing bacteria into the vagina? I mean, unless I had issues why would I need one?

[lizzylou]

Hmm, I know for me there was something funky about the way I had healed. My midwife had to burn off a piece of skin, or something... it's been awhile and I can't remember what she called it. Also we did a pap at that time, but I was no longer bleeding.

[nicky85]

Yes, you are right! It would increase the chances of transmitting bacteria into the vagina. Any exam would increase the risk, although obviously if the dr washes his/her hands and wears sanitary, disposable gloves the chances are less. I had stitches after my son was born and was still bleeding a bit 6 weeks pp. My midwife didn't do a pelvic exam. I agree with you. Unless a woman is at risk for postpartum complications or experiencing problems, what's the need?

[PoppyMama]

I refused mine, just saw no need since I had one at the beginning of the 2nd trimester.

[L J]

I didn't have a pp check up with either of mine. The first time, I didn't tear, didn't have any complications and just didn't see the point. The second time I didn't tear, didn't think I could submit my body to even more invasion by a doctor, and couldn't afford to travel 200 miles and pay out of pocket for a midwife to do it.

I, personally, cannot think of any reason why they are necessary for all women. I think most of us are in tune with our bodies enough to have a sense if something is wrong or needs to be checked out, and are responsible enough to take action if that is the case.

[1mommy]

With my doctor I will have 2, 4 and 8 week checkup, although it's mostly checking the baby.With my 2 and 4 week checkups she only felt my stomach to make sure my uterus was where it was supposed to be. However with the 8 week check she said that would be a complete physical with internal exam and pap smear. I'm not looking forward to it, but at least it's 2 weeks later than my doctor I had previously and I will be more healed for it. The rest I don't mind, I would like to make sure everything is normal in my stomach, organs etc. I don't really see the reason to do a pap smear though! I just had one 7 months ago!! I think that part they think they might as well do it while they are down there?

[sunnygir1]

I didn't do the 6 week exam, but did schedule a pap and pelvic within a few months of both of my baby's births. I think it is important to get an annual exam, and after a pregnancy and a few months to heal up it's been at least a year since my last internal exam.

[DreamsInDigital]

I went to my 6 week postpartum checkup but was never examined by my dr. at all. And he's a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, so I'm fairly certain he knows what he's doing.

[Evergreen]

My 6 week checkup did not include an internal exam with either, just an external tummy check the first time and an external check due to a stitch the 2nd.

[angelpie545]

I wonder how they rationalize doing a PAP the first trimester than again after delivery. Is that insure you have your yearly PAP?

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by angelpie545

I wonder how they rationalize doing a PAP the first trimester than again after delivery. Is that insure you have your yearly PAP?

Probably. My doctor actually asked...I gave birth in April and had a Pap the Dec before so she just said, "Make sure you remember to go in."

[PoppyMama]

I think a lot of docs are now admitting that a yearly gyn exam is excessive for most people. I do one every three years which is the schedule in Europe I think.

[AFWife]

I was a year and a half in between appointments. It didn't bother me. I'm not in the high risk group for cervical cancer...

[sweetsadie77]

The recommended frequency of paps, by canadian guidelines, is yearly until you've had three normal paps and then every two to three years after that. The frequency doesn't change for pregnancy or postpartum, meaning you don't have a pap just because you had a baby six weeks ago you have a pap if its been two to three years since your last one (and you choose to have one).

[sunnygir1]

Originally Posted by PoppyMama

I think a lot of docs are now admitting that a yearly gyn exam is excessive for most people. I do one every three years which is the schedule in Europe I think.

My understanding is that if you've had 3 normal paps in a row there isn't much benefit to annual paps after that, but that it IS important to have an annual internal exam to check for irregularities in the reproductive organs.