First gynaecology appt

SarahH2O · 03-09-2011 5:13pm #1

Have my first gynae appointment in two weeks time.Have been having pelvic pain and nausea for over a year.Been sent to the mater private.Apart from not knowing what to expect I looked up the gynae and he has one scathing review(not naming anyone as know this is not allowed).Not feeling very confident at all now.Any advice greatly appreciated.

Morag · 03-09-2011 5:29pm

If you are having an internal exam, wear a skirt and as other wise you will have to totally remove your trousers, you will also be asked to remove your socks. Lube will be used on the speculum so bring a pantyliner/ST with you as what goes up, invariably comes down.

Teyla Emmagan · 03-09-2011 5:35pm

One scathing review out of how many? Maybe it was a personality clash or something. I would't dwell on it.

If you do have an internal exam there will be a nurse or someone in the room too, so don't worry about that part.

seenitall · 03-09-2011 10:37pm

Sharrow wrote: »

you will also be asked to remove your socks.

Eh?

Not in my experience.

vicecreamsundae · 04-09-2011 1:54am

try not to stress OP. as another poster said, if you only saw one negative review it's probably nothing.

You say you don't know what to expect, have you asked any friends who'd had a similar appointment what it was like? I've had numerous paps and a colposcopy, and they were all fine and only took a couple minutes. I was really icked out and nervous before my first one, and was pleasantly surprised at what a non event it turned out to be!

Neyite · 04-09-2011 12:20pm

OP,
I have been attending a fertility clinic since November 2010, and I can understand how daunting it can be - I have had a HSG XRay, and more transvaginal ultrasounds than you could shake a stick at, (so well used to hopping up into the stirrups that it barely fazes me at this stage!)

but my focus through all of these was that they woud find out how to fix me. Focus on the fact that they are there to try to eliminate your pain and discomfort, and it will go a long way to getting you through the process.

The intimate exam is likely to be relatively quick, most of your appointment might be with you fully clothed and sitting at the desk answering questions about your medical history.

Now, I wear nothing but trousers so I was usually either gowned, or had a drape over me, covering up my privates. Chances are if you wear a skirt you might want to take that off anyway in case the lubricant drips out and causes a wet patch, which you will have to wear around until it dries. Its possible that even with a skirt, they may ask you to disrobe from the waist down. Socks always stayed on. (in my case) If you are having an XRay, and underwire might have to be removed, but usually you can keep your top on in that case.

The more tense you are, the harder the exam will be for them to complete and therefore take longer. Any exam I have had lasted no more than 5 mins, being as relaxed as I could be. Focus on them finding the cause of your problem, and take long deep breaths, making an effort to keep your muscles in that area as relaxed as you can.

If its an transvaginal ultrasound, they slide a wand inside you and move it around. The room is darkened for this so they can see the monitor better, so its quite discreet. If its something like a cervical smear, they will use normal lighting, but you will be flat, and looking up at the ceiling.

It will be over before you know it, best of luck. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask away.

Justask · 04-09-2011 4:28pm

If you attend the appointment and after talking/ meeting with him you are not comfortable you do not have to go through with an internal. Get your GP to refer you else where.

Gynaecology appointment ae not nice, but needs much. You will be fine try nt worry to much

Morag · 04-09-2011 7:02pm

seenitall wrote: »

Eh? Not in my experience.

Werid, everytime I've been asked to was told it was something to do with my feet having a better grip on the surface of the disposable sheet, so that I'd not slip.

KittyeeTrix · 04-09-2011 7:05pm

I've never been asked to remove my socks either!!
Weird how some have and others haven't

seenitall · 04-09-2011 7:14pm

Sharrow wrote: »

Werid, everytime I've been asked to was told it was something to do with my feet having a better grip on the surface of the disposable sheet, so that I'd not slip.

Oh right, maybe something to do with the fact that where stirrups are being used, socks or no socks doesn't matter then? (i.e. feet are placed in stirrups and have nowhere to slip)

SarahH2O · 04-09-2011 8:36pm

Thanks so much ladies for your kind replies.Feeling a little less freaked out by it now.Don't posess a skirt so will have to go for the trousers and will paint the toenails just in case:p

Morag · 04-09-2011 9:30pm

seenitall wrote: »

Oh right, maybe something to do with the fact that where stirrups are being used, socks or no socks doesn't matter then? (i.e. feet are placed in stirrups and have nowhere to slip)

Stirrup? /shudder no thanks.

seenitall · 06-09-2011 1:33am

Sharrow wrote: »

Stirrup? /shudder no thanks.

Why, what's wrong with stirrups?? I find them comfortable enough, for needs must and all that...

(I'd love to make a delicious pun of calling you a name right now, just for its own sake, but it would of course be extremly rude and disrespectful of me... forgive me for even thinking it!

)

First gynaecology appt

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