Written By: Hajar
Can we liken a vaginal exam to obstetric rape?
Although the two pictures are completely different, what if the examination was accompanied by a deep humiliation that affected the mother, a sense of violation of her body, great pain and distress?
But before digging deep into this issue, what is a vaginal examination (PV) in the first place?
A vaginal examination is an examination that is performed by a health care provider during labor. It measures the progression of the mother's birth and is done by inserting two fingers into the vagina to measure the extent of the dilatation and effacement of the cervix and the position of the baby's head.
Although this examination is a routine intervention during birth and it can be necessary in some cases, the way it is performed by the care provider, can have a significant psychological impact on the mother and impact her entire birth experience. While the birth team leaves the hospital completely satisfied with the result of a healthy mom and a healthy baby, the mother leaves the hospital with a psychological wound whose intensity cannot be known.
Therefore, there are some important tips that must be taken into account by the provider performing a vaginal exam, to avoid its negative impact:
- It should be done with the permission of the mother, after the benefits for her condition, risks and alternatives are presented to her.
- The mother should be encouraged to breathe deeply and relax in order to calm down, and should be given time to be mentally prepared for it. Performing a vaginal exam while she is anxious can make it more difficult for the care provider and more painful for her.
- It can be uneasy but doesn't have to be painful. If the mother feels pain, she must inform the care provider to stop.
- It is recommended to be done only once every four hours unless a concern arises.
- The mother should be reassured if few drops of blood came out with the examination, or if the water bag is ruptured by mistake.
Finally, let's remember that this examination is practiced with the intention of protecting the mother and her child from expected complications, it is not acceptable for the protector to turn into an aggressor, and become the cause of her unhappiness instead of her happiness.