Teen daughters 1st pelvic exam...

allnurses Guide · Mar 31, 2003

My first pelvic was terrifying due to my mom and grandmother telling me how horrible it was. As I sat in the waiting room, imagining the worst, heart pounding, almost in tears . . all I wanted to do was bolt!

Fortunately the doc was very kind and understanding. He did ask me a funny question though . . . "How long have you had hives?". I guess I broke out in hives all across my chest beforehand due to the stress.

Well, it turned out to be no big deal. I was so mad at my mom and grandma that I drove straight over there to yell at them for scaring me unnecessarily.

Just stay calm, let the doc know beforehand how nervous your daughter is and do absolutely nothing to make her fearful beforehand.

I'm getting hives just thinking about how mad I was.

GAstudent · Mar 31, 2003

I must say that I am one of those people who loves to go to the Doc. My first appointment for exam was scary. I also had a female doctor. My mom wanted to go and I said no. I said ya know I am grown and I can do this on my own. The doctor firstr took me into her office and talked. She told me about herself and her education and life and then she asked me the same thing. She asked me personal things such as what I wanted to do when I grew up and etc. Then she started asking me things like family history of cancer, heart problems, etc. This conversation went on for about 30 minutes. Then she asked me if I was confortable with her and I was like yeah she is a cool doc. I went in and she was wonderful. She told me what she was going to do and when she was going to do it. She got mad at the nurse for not having the cream warm enough. (i thought that was funny ) She was wonderful and My first experience was great. Tell her to just wait it out and voice her concerns with you. Tell her what you like and what you don't like and tell her that it's for the best. I would rather know that I was ok then not. Good Luck

Flynurse · Mar 31, 2003

My mom made my first appt when I first went. She insisted that a female doc or NP did the exam. A female PA did the exam with the assistance of a female nurse. I don't know why, but I was more comfortable that way and every exam since then.

Except for the last exam. I had to go to a new office since I had moved out of state. It was sort of a ASAP visit d/t needing a new Rx. The Doc was male and I asked for a nurse to be present. The FEMALE nurse acted as though she was annoyed that I had asked for someone else to be present.

So, I guess my advice is females all around and someone you know you can trust. Needless to say I fell like on my next exam I need to find a new office.

ShandyLynnRN, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2003

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Originally posted by Flynurse
Except for the last exam. I had to go to a new office since I had moved out of state. It was sort of a ASAP visit d/t needing a new Rx. The Doc was male and I asked for a nurse to be present. The FEMALE nurse acted as though she was annoyed that I had asked for someone else to be present.

That is standard practice with every doc I have been to. I have never had to ask for a female nurse to be present... they just always waited until she was available and asked her to come in. It is definitely a liability issue, and all the docs I know have a female present for exams. Even antepartum patients in my OB unit... the docs always ask us to come in when they do a vag exam. I was surprised to hear that some docs DON'T.

RN2B2005 · Apr 1, 2003

My first pelvic was at a Planned Parenthood, when I was 16 (and still a virgin). They were great. Inexpensive, and before I even went into the exam room, they had a counsellor speak to me about how a vag exam worked, how to lie in the stirrups, etc. Some things--like bending your knees--are counterintuitive, and it helped to have things explained before I was naked.

The NP who examined me was fabulous, kind and, more importantly, very fast.

Jennifer

perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2003

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NurseGirlKaren · Apr 1, 2003

Rayrae, please go to Planned Parenthood. My first exam was there; really, it's not that bad! They will make you comfortable so you're not ticklish, but you really should start getting routine exams.

neneRN, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2003

Be sure to let your daughter know also how quickly the worst of the exam is over. Before I had my first pelvic, I thought I would have this horrible long exam with my legs wide open. When I realized the pelvic itself only takes a minute or two, I thought oh, well that wasn't bad! It's such a simple thing, but knowing that it's over so quickly would have made me feel a lot better.

ShandyLynnRN, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2003

Quote
Originally posted by Rayrae
I am 19 and still haven't had my first pelvic exam, I have never had any menstrual problems except cramps, and I am scared stiff to go to a gynecologist. I know that I should but I just don't feel that comfortable w/ the docs at our student health service- they are really nice but not so competent always. I have also heard that if you are too nervous and uptight the doctor won't be able to do the exam, is this true? b/c I know I am extremely ticklish (not that that has any bearing in a gyn exam) and the doctors have never been able to palpate my abdomen b/c I laugh too much. is there something similar w/ the gyn exam? I don't even know what to expect with it. any advice would be awesome. thanks!

I have the SAME problem! I couldn't even enjoy my OB ultrasound or participate in "siting" for injections when we practiced in school!

I find though, that if I explain it ahead of time that it can be kind of an ice breaker. The doc's usually get a good giggle out of it, and it tends to break the tension. Then I just try my best to deep breathe and relax during the Abdominal palpation and breast exam. It doesn't take long, and it isn't all that unpleasant if I do the above mentioned things.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Apr 1, 2003

My first pelvic was when I was 20 and a week into my initial herpes attack. In retrospect, it was stupid to wait that long, because my kidneys nearly shut down due to the infection spreading into the GU tract, but I'd heard so many horror stories from my mother and sister that I was afraid I'd die of embarrassment. Of course, it's still not my favorite thing to do, and I'm guilty of putting it off from time to time (OK, so I let it go for a couple of years sometimes). But when it came time for my daughter to get some birth control, I'm glad I was able to convey the message that it's not the worst thing in the world; every woman has to go through these things, so we might as well bear it with as much dignity as possible.......which isn't easy when you're in the "dead bug" position!!

tattooednursie, LVN · Apr 1, 2003

I had to have my first when I was only 9. I just felt so afraid at first. I did get really tickleish though! I was all like trying not to giggle.

itsme · Apr 1, 2003

Oh my gosh- 9 is so young. That must have been awful. I think my daughter is feeling a bit better about it, we have a very open relationship, and I think I may have calmed some of her fears! I hope so anyways!!