
Written by Editorial Team
During pregnancy, you will be undergoing various prenatal checkups. These checkups are to monitor your health as well as the growth and development of the unborn baby. The pelvic exam is one such prenatal checkup. Most doctors perform pelvic exams as part of their routine prenatal care.
While in some cases, pelvic exams are helpful prior to labor, in the case of a healthy pregnancy, these don’t provide any necessary information. Read on to know more about the pelvic exam, how and when the doctors opt for this, and the risks of having one during pregnancy.
In This Article
A pelvic exam is a procedure in which the doctors assess the vagina and the adjoining organs of the pelvis. Usually, the doctor examines the vulva, cervix, uterus, Fallopian tube, ovaries, bladder, and rectum during a pelvic exam.
Usually, a pelvic exam is performed during the first and third trimester unless there is some complication in the pregnancy and the pregnant woman needs continuous monitoring.
Usually, they conduct the examination of the size, shape, and position of the pelvic organs during a pelvic exam. A pelvic exam includes two components – manual and visual.
Manual assessment includes the examination of the external genitalia (vulva) and inside the vagina for an internal assessment of the vaginal walls.
The visual examination is performed with a small device – a speculum. This device allows a clear view of all the pelvic organs which helps in easy evaluation.
The pelvic exam towards the final week of the pregnancy also has an advantage. The pelvic exam has a higher chance to stimulate the cervix so labor induction is not necessary.
A pelvic exam has its own risks during pregnancy:
If your doctor insists on a pelvic exam, you should ask him for a specific reason for the exam. Also, try to understand what he is trying to find out. Also, clear the doubt if in any way it will affect your pregnancy or delivery. In the case the doctor fails to convince you about having a pelvic exam, you have a right to decline it or request a second opinion.
If you decide to go ahead with the exam, here are the following things you should keep in mind:
Deciding to go in for a pelvic examination during pregnancy should be totally on you. Understand why the doctor suggests a pelvic exam and what the doctor is trying to find out and how it is going to help with your pregnancy. A doctor cannot perform the pelvic exam without explaining the procedure and taking your consent.
With a rich experience in pregnancy and parenting, our team of experts create insightful, well-curated, and easy-to-read content for our to-be-parents and parents at all stages of parenting.Read more.
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