[treetop]

I am reading "The VBAC Companion" by Diana Korte. I just read that some doctors perform a postpartum uterine exam. It sounds incredibly invasive and painful. I have never heard of this before. Is this something that is routine? Would it be a good idea to write in my birth plan that I do not want a uterine exam? Yuck!

 

[kitkat5505]

My OB did this after my vbac, but it was very quick and not really painful. After the placenta came out she just quickly stuck a finger in to gently feel along my scar. Took maybe 5 seconds. I have heard that it is unnecessary though, and you could probably put it in your birth plan and refuse it.

 

[MNHall]

If you're talking about what Kitkat described, my OB did that too....and actually, it was kind of nice to hear, "your scar feels good and strong!" I was very pleased to hear those words!

But like Kitkat said, I'm sure it could be part of your birth plan if you do not want it.

 

[treetop]

When I read about the postpartum uterine exam I went into panic mode! I had a horrible visual and said to my husband "I am not a horse!" So, thank you for clarifying. I will look into it a little more but it doesn't seem as bad as my imagination made it out to be! Thanks!

 

[roadfamily6now]

There is no reason at all for anyone hands to be in your uterus!
This is beyond invasive and frankly I find this practice antiquated and dangerous.

I "think" I had this done to me after my 4th baby was born (would have been my 3rd VBAC) They gave me Demerol (after a competely natural VBAC) and it knocked me loopy. I have no idea what happened for like 30 minutes.

 

[meatloafkend]

Oh my gosh, tell them no. I have the willies right now thinking about it. After my VBAC there was no uterine exam (inside)

 

[rainashine]

The problem, from what I understand, is that if you have "windows" in your scar (small, non symptomactic scar seperation that causes NO probems) a uterine exam could cause those to open more causing a serious symptomatic rupture. What if the doc's finger catches on of those? If you have no seperation then a exam is fine but since that's what they're checking on, it sounds like a not so good idea to me.

 

[mamatolevi]

Are you talking just after the surgery? This was not done after either of my sections. However, there was the usual exam at my 6wkpp visit.

 

[treetop]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamatolevi Are you talking just after the surgery? This was not done after either of my sections. However, there was the usual exam at my 6wkpp visit.

NO. After having a successful VBAC, the doctor preforms a manual uterine exam.

 

[zzoie]

I just had a great HBAC! Beforehand when I was doing my research, I did a lot on this subject. I could not find anything to support it. In agreement with a previous poster, it seems to be a very antiquated practice. Everything I found supported NOT doing one! Increased risk of infection, risk of CREATING a hole (they are doing a blind exam). If you're asymptomatic, why are they looking? Just to know? I personally wouldn't allow it.

 

[turtlewomyn]

My gosh, I totally thought that there weren't doctors still doing this. I would be afraid of the introduction of bacteria causing a uterine infection, I have also heard of them poking holes in the uterus doing this. Not to mention how painful it would be.

I would talk to your care provider and make sure they don't practice this.

 

[mamatolevi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by treetop NO. After having a successful VBAC, the doctor preforms a manual uterine exam.

thank you! I completely misunderstood. The dr I had for my VBA2C did not do that. He's not an intervention, put his hands where they don't belong kind of guy, though.