Doctors perform pelvic exams during pregnancy for the same reasons. They look for abnormalities and infections. Also, a pelvic exam can help a doctor to evaluate the size of the pelvis and cervix . This will help them to evaluate whether cervical weakness could lead to miscarriage or preterm labor.
A pelvic exam during pregnancy is performed by a doctor to evaluate the size of the pelvis and cervix. This will help them to evaluate whether cervical weakness could lead to miscarriage or preterm labor
Doctors typically perform pelvic exams during pregnancy for the same reasons and concerns as they did when they were performing these exams on non-pregnant patients. They look for abnormalities and infections, evaluate the size of the pelvis and cervix, and assess bladder function to help with future pregnancies.
Doctors are always checking for abnormalities and infections during pregnancy. They also want to assess a woman’s pelvis, particularly her pelvic size, to make sure there isn’t any weakness that could lead to miscarriage or preterm labor.
Can You Refuse a Pelvic Exam During Pregnancy
- Procedure
- During the exam
- After the exam
- Pelvic exams during pregnancy
- How often should you get one?
- Takeaway
A pelvic exam involves physically and visually examining the female reproductive and sexual organs. It allows a doctor to look for signs of infection and illness.
The doctor performing the exam may be a gynecologist or an OB-GYN. They will examine the:
- vulva
- vagina
- cervix
- uterus
- ovaries and fallopian tubes
What is the procedure and why is it done?
During a pelvic exam, a doctor will check the following reproductive organs:
- the vulva, which is the external genital organ
- the vagina, which leads from the external organ to the cervix
- the uterus, which is also called the womb
- the cervix, which is the opening between the uterus and vagina
- the fallopian tubes, which carry eggs to the womb
- the ovaries, which produce eggs
- the bladder, a sac-like organ that stores urine
- the rectum, which connects the colon to the anus
Why have a pelvic exam?
These examinations are performed for many reasons, including:
- as part of an annual checkup
- to check that reproductive organs are healthy during pregnancy
- to look for signs of infections
- to determine the cause of pain in the pelvis or lower back
Doctors often perform pelvic exams to check for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), yeast infections, and bacterial vaginosis.
A pelvic exam is often performed on the same day as other preventive screenings – a breast examination and a Pap smear.
The purpose of a breast exam is to look for abnormalities and other signs of cancers that begin in the breast tissue. Pap smears can show signs of cancer and precancerTrusted Source of the cervix.
Pelvic exams are also part of sexual assault assessments.
What happens during the exam?
A person does not need to do anything before a pelvic exam. They can simply attend their appointment.
The doctor or nurse will usually ask if the person needs to use the bathroom, to help them feel more comfortable during the exam and so that they can be examined without distractions.
If an individual has symptoms of burning during urination or urinary frequency, the doctor may request a urine sample.
The exam does not cause pain, though it may cause some discomfort. It usually takes around 10 minutes.
Pelvic exam procedure
Before the exam, the doctor or nurse practitioner will ask the person to take off their clothes, put on a gown, sit on the exam table, and cover up with a sheet. Then they will ask about health concerns.
The person will then lie on their back and place their feet in footrests. The doctor or nurse will ask them to relax. They will press on the lower part of the person’s stomach and feel for the organs. The doctor will then ask the person to move toward the end of the table and bend their knees.
First, the doctor will examine the vulva for signs of infection, swelling, and sores. Next, they will insert a lubricated speculum into the vagina to widen it, and make the internal organs easier to see.
Then, they may perform a Pap smear. This involves taking a sample of cells from the cervix to check for abnormalities, especially cervical cancer. They may also take a sample of vaginal discharge, to check for infections.
Next, they will remove the speculum and perform a bimanual examination. This involves placing two fingers inside the vagina and pressing down on the pelvis with the other hand. The aim is to check for changes or abnormalities in the reproductive organs.
The doctor may then conduct a rectal exam, by inserting a gloved finger in the rectum to check for tumors and other abnormalities behind the vaginal wall, uterus, and rectum.
If a person feels any pain during the exam, they should let the doctor know right away.
After the pelvic exam
The doctor or nurse practitioner will ask the person if they have any questions or concerns. It is important to be honest about topics relating to sexual health.
Medical professionals are required to keep private information confidential.
After a Pap smear, the doctor will inform the person of their results. If necessary, they will request further testing, either after the exam or after receiving results.
Pelvic exams during pregnancy
Doctors perform pelvic exams during pregnancy for the same reasons. They look for abnormalities and infections.
Also, a pelvic exam can help a doctor to evaluate the size of the pelvis and cervixTrusted Source. This will help them to evaluate whether cervical weakness could lead to miscarriage or preterm labor.
Pelvic exams are usually done early on in pregnancy. If there are no complications, another exam is performed at around 36 weeks, to check for changes to the cervix.
After that, the doctor will perform an exam as often as needed to determine if the person is in labor.
There is little information about the risks of pelvic exams during pregnancy. It is possible that an exam may increase the risk of infection.
Some reviewsTrusted Source show that pregnant women who attended exams still experienced complications. In one trial cited, three times more women who were regularly examined experienced preterm ruptured membranes than women who were not examined.
How often should you get one?
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that women have yearly exams, starting at age 21.
However, each person should discuss the best frequency of exams with their doctor.
Takeaway
Pelvic exams are important in maintaining reproductive and sexual health.
ACOG recommends seeing a gynecologist for STI testing if a person becomes sexually active before age 21, but a pelvic exam may not be necessary.
The same organization recommends a Pap smear every 3 years beginning at age 21. For women over 30, it may be a good idea to be screened for human papillomavirus, commonly called HPV, along with a Pap smear. HPV is the virus responsible for cervical cancer.
Depending on the results of these tests, the doctor may advise a person to wait up to 5 years between Pap smears. During this time, it is still a good idea to have a yearly pelvic exam.
Women over 65 should continue to have pelvic exams as recommended by a doctor. Only those with histories of gynecological precancer should continue having Pap smears.
Cramping After Pelvic Exam During Pregnancy
During a pelvic exam, a doctor evaluates your reproductive organs. You might have a pelvic exam as part of your regular checkup. Or your doctor might recommend a pelvic exam if you have symptoms such as unusual vaginal discharge or pelvic pain.
A pelvic exam usually lasts only a few minutes. Your doctor checks your vulva, vagina, cervix, ovaries, uterus, rectum and pelvis for any abnormalities. A Pap test, which screens for cervical cancer, is often performed during a pelvic exam.
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Why it’s done
You might need a pelvic exam:
- To assess your gynecological health. A pelvic exam often is part of a routine physical exam to find possible signs of ovarian cysts, sexually transmitted infections, uterine fibroids or early-stage cancer. Pelvic exams are also commonly performed during pregnancy.There is a lot of debate among experts regarding the recommended frequency of pelvic exams. Ask your doctor what he or she recommends.
- To diagnose a medical condition. Your doctor might suggest a pelvic exam if you’re experiencing gynecological symptoms such as pelvic pain, unusual vaginal bleeding, skin changes, abnormal vaginal discharge or urinary problems. A pelvic exam can help your doctor diagnose the causes of these symptoms. Your doctor might suggest additional diagnostic testing or treatment.
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How you prepare
You don’t need to do anything special to prepare for a pelvic exam. For your own comfort, you might want to schedule your pelvic exam on a day when you don’t have your period. Also, you might be more comfortable if you empty your bladder before the exam.
If you have questions about the exam or its possible results, consider writing down your questions and taking them with you to the appointment so that you don’t forget to ask them.
What you can expect
A pelvic exam is done in your doctor’s office and takes only a few minutes.
You’ll be asked to change out of your clothes and into a gown. You might be given a sheet to wrap around your waist for added privacy. Before performing the pelvic exam, your doctor might listen to your heart and lungs and perform an abdominal, back and breast exam.
During the pelvic exam
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You’ll lie on your back on an exam table with your knees bent and your feet placed on the corners of the table or in supports (stirrups). You’ll be asked to slide your body toward the end of the table and let your knees fall open.
A pelvic exam generally includes:
- External visual exam. First, your doctor looks at your vulva, checking for irritation, redness, sores, swelling or other abnormalities.
- Internal visual exam. Next, your doctor uses a speculum — a plastic or metal-hinged instrument shaped like a duck’s bill — to spread open your vaginal walls and see your vagina and cervix. The speculum might be warmed before it’s inserted to make it more comfortable for you.Inserting and opening the speculum causes pressure that can be uncomfortable for some women. Relax as much as possible to ease discomfort, but tell your doctor if you’re in pain.
- Pap test. If your pelvic exam includes a Pap test (Pap smear), your doctor will swipe a small wand to collect a sample of your cervical cells before removing the speculum.
- Physical exam. Because your pelvic organs, including your uterus and ovaries, can’t be seen from outside your body, your doctor needs to feel (palpate) your abdomen and pelvis for this part of the exam. Your doctor will insert two lubricated, gloved fingers into your vagina with one hand, while the other hand presses gently on the outside of your lower abdomen.During this part of the exam, your doctor will check the size and shape of your uterus and ovaries, noting any tender areas or unusual growths. After the vaginal exam, your doctor will insert a gloved finger into your rectum to check for tenderness, growths or other irregularities.
Your doctor should tell you exactly what he or she is doing at each step so that nothing comes as a surprise to you.
After the pelvic exam
After the pelvic exam is over, you can get dressed. Then, your doctor will discuss the results of your exam.