Teen daughters 1st pelvic exam...

bobbiesal · Apr 6, 2003

Having done pelvic exams on young women under the very worst of circumstances (I was a SANE nurse), I can tell you that it's the talking through & explaining everything that REALLY helps. I worked for a year in a grant funded family planning clinic as well (not Planned Parenthood, but similar) & I didn't have one complaint from a patient. I live in a small town and have 3 sons, the oldest would often bring his friends in for free condoms, putting me in the wonderful position of having to teach them how to use the condoms. Likewise, I ended up performing exams on girls that "knew" my son, daughters of cousins, daughters of friends, girls I'd see later in McDonalds... It's not always easy being on the other side of the stirrups either!

From my personal experience, I wish I'd gone to Planned Parenthood, or somewhere that really explained birth control instead of simply prescribing it like my pediatrician did. I ended up pregnant at 18 after a course of tetracycline for a UTI because no one thought to tell me about the potential interaction, nor the importance of taking the pill the same time daily! I'm very glad young women today have all the options they do, and I never have missed an opportunity to discuss those options with my sons' girlfriends!

In the big scheme of things, pelvic exams are really a nuisance at worst. Small price to pay for taking good care of yourself!

Best of luck!!!!!!

ERNurse752, RN · Apr 6, 2003

Quote
Originally posted by bobbiesal
Having done pelvic exams on young women under the very worst of circumstances (I was a SANE nurse), I can tell you that it's the talking through & explaining everything that REALLY helps. I worked for a year in a grant funded family planning clinic as well (not Planned Parenthood, but similar) & I didn't have one complaint from a patient. I live in a small town and have 3 sons, the oldest would often bring his friends in for free condoms, putting me in the wonderful position of having to teach them how to use the condoms. Likewise, I ended up performing exams on girls that "knew" my son, daughters of cousins, daughters of friends, girls I'd see later in McDonalds... It's not always easy being on the other side of the stirrups either!
From my personal experience, I wish I'd gone to Planned Parenthood, or somewhere that really explained birth control instead of simply prescribing it like my pediatrician did. I ended up pregnant at 18 after a course of tetracycline for a UTI because no one thought to tell me about the potential interaction, nor the importance of taking the pill the same time daily! I'm very glad young women today have all the options they do, and I never have missed an opportunity to discuss those options with my sons' girlfriends!
In the big scheme of things, pelvic exams are really a nuisance at worst. Small price to pay for taking good care of yourself!
Best of luck!!!!!!

I'm taking a SANE class right now...we're learning how to do speculum exams on Tuesday. Maybe I should print out this thread and take it in. ?

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Apr 6, 2003

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Originally posted by OBNURSEHEATHER
Wow! I'm impressed!

(bet her boyfriend/hubby is too)

She said SPECULUM, not ping-pong ball. Gutterbrain. ;>P

HazeK · Apr 6, 2003

You might also let your daughter know that women are notorious for "embellishing" their experiences, so that the 'teller-of-the-tale' gets setra sympathy, or admiration for their endurance!

You know, the "I was in labor with my baby for two weeks" stories...

Tell her to throw out all the experiences she has heard, to relax, and it will be over in

AngelGirl · Apr 7, 2003

Rayrae--

Your best advice is your own....there on the bottom of your entry. "Cast your cares on Him..." It'll be fine. Just remember to relax.

While assisting an MD with a pelvic exam one time, I asked the patient if she'd like a warm blanket for her chest. "No, honey, just a pillow case....to put over my head!"

I've thought of that ever since and shared it with a few patients. We laugh and then I tell them that I am the 'Official Hand Holder." I always hold the patient's hand during a GYN exam, even if my other hand is busy assisting the MD. It helps. I'm there for both of them.

So, ask your nurse for her hand and for a pillow case and remember to RELAX and give your cares to HIM.

OBNURSEHEATHER · Apr 8, 2003

Quote
Originally posted by HazeK
Tell her to throw out all the experiences she has heard, to relax, and it will be over in

Wow, for some people that advice may extend to many different experiences.