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During pregnancy, you will be undergoing various pre-natal checkups. These checkups are to monitor your health as well as the growth and development of the unborn baby. Pelvic exam is one such prenatal checkup. Most doctors perform pelvic exam as part of their routine prenatal care. While in some cases pelvic exams are helpful prior to labor, but in case of a healthy pregnancy, these don’t provide any necessary information. Read on to know more about pelvic exam, how and when it is performed and risks of having one during pregnancy.
A pelvic exam is a procedure in which the doctors assess the vagina and the adjoining organs of the pelvis. Usually, vulva, cervix, uterus, Fallopian tube, ovaries, bladder and rectum are examined during a pelvic exam.
Usually, 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, examination of the size, shape and position of the pelvic organs are done 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 called speculum which 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 higher chances to stimulate the cervix so that labor induction is not necessary.
Pelvic exam has its own risks during pregnancy:
If your doctor insists on a pelvic exam, you should ask him for specific reason for the exam, what he is trying to find out and if in any way it will affect your pregnancy or delivery. If you are not convinced 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 following things you should keep in mind:
Deciding to go in for a pelvic examination during pregnancy should be totally on you. You should understand why the exam is suggested and what the doctor is trying to find out and how it is going to help in your pregnancy. A doctor cannot perform the pelvic exam without explaining you the procedure and taking your consent.
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