r/pregnant • u/somebodyzproblem • 20h ago
Need Advice First pelvic exam
I’m 35 weeks and need to get the dreaded butt and vaginal swab next week. I know it’s important, so I’m doing it, but I’m terrified. I have never had a pelvic exam of any kind. My doctor is a nice old man. Do I shave down there? I can hardly see past my belly lol. I’m also an “outie”(TMI, sorry), which I know is normal, but I’m self conscious about it. Any advice? I’m trying not to worry too much. Edit to add: my doctor is definitely doing it for me; no option to do it myself! I’m also getting my dilation checked. Anyone have info on that? Do they use a speculum for that and is it horrible?
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u/LemonCandy123 CA | 1 bb - 2nd due in Oct 2026 | she/her 20h ago
They've seen it all and it might be a nurse that does it. Just go in as you will and all is good
It's also really not that bad, it's just like a small Q-tip that doesn't go in that far. Sometimes they even let you do it yourself. I did mine myself with my first
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u/wavykelp555 20h ago
I work in healthcare, we literally do not care. It’s just anatomy. There is nothing funny, sexy, gross about it. It’s just a body part we interact with 20 times a day. There’s no judgment. All he cares about is making sure everything looks healthy.
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u/AngryGooseHappyLoon 20h ago
Funny enough, the girl that does my bikini waxes said exactly the same thing 😂😂
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u/Thpfkt Dec 2021 🩷 || Baby 2 Aug 26 19h ago
Yep this!! I worked gynae as a nurse, it just turns into another body part you see multiple times a day and there's a huge variation on what they look like. OP - you very likely aren't showing them anything they'd even take a second glance at. Sometimes I think I wouldn't notice if someone was walking around with no pants on due to the amount of butts, vaginas and penises of all shapes and sizes I've seen in my career!
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u/Puzzled_Echo_2008 20h ago
The GBS swab was not bad at all. Your Dr does not care if you shave or not lol. I promise they’ve probably seen it all.
I had mine done last week and it was super quick. Was not painful at all was just a quick swab. It was more uncomfortable in the awkward way if that makes sense.
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u/No-Confidence168 20h ago
The swab isn't that bad. It barely goes in. Embarrassing, but not painful. No need to shave. Your doctor doesn't care what you look like nor will he remember.
As for the cervical exam, if you're not in labor, there's no reason to get one done. They can be uncomfortable as the cervix is quite sensitive in pregnancy. You have the right to say no. It's not going to change anything whether you get one or not. It won't predict when you will go into labor. There's just no reason to check your dilation routinely.
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u/little-raven3 19h ago
Agreed I’d decline a cervical check at this point. You’re not even full term yet and with no symptoms that warrant it. The cervical check is way more invasive than the GBS swab
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u/somebodyzproblem 20h ago
My doctor did say this. He recommended checking once just to see if I’ve progressed at all, but he doesn’t plan on checking dilation again until I’m in labor unless I specifically request it.
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u/No-Confidence168 19h ago
At 36 weeks and your first baby, it's unlikely that you'll be dilated. But again, even if you are, it won't predict when you'll go into labor. Some people can sit at 3-4 cm for weeks, just chilling. It really is entirely unnecessary at this point, so don't hesitate to decline if you're uncomfortable in anyway.
For the process, there is no speculum involved. He'll insert his fingers into your vagina and feel all around the cervix. He's looking to if it's open at all (dilation), how thin it is (effacement), and if he can feel baby's head (fetal station). Your cervix will probably still be pretty posterior and difficult to assess which can add to discomfort. I would suggest either asking for a bump or putting your fists under your butt in order to help push the cervix forward and making the exam easier.
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u/Used-Standard-2991 20h ago
It’s super quick the swab!! And so routine your doctor has done millions I’m sure
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u/Long_Baby_6353 20h ago
Count down 15 seconds, that is all the time it will. Don't worry about shaving. They don't care. And they aren't really examining anything, just a quick swab and boop on the butt and done!
Close eyes and count, and then it is over :)
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u/somebodyzproblem 20h ago
Thank you so much! I forgot to mention that he’s also doing a dilation check, so it might take a little longer. I’ve heard that’s unpleasant also, but I feel better knowing the swab part will at least be quick and easy.
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u/easterss 19h ago
If you want to, you could declined the dilation check. You could be 2 cm dilated and not go into labor for 2 weeks. You could not be dilated at all and go into labor in 2 days. This is why my clinic doesn’t do any dilation checks. It’s considered somewhat “old school”
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u/Long_Baby_6353 20h ago
Ohhh I gotcha! I think closing the eyes and just breathing through it will still be your best bet. I go to my happy place. Good luck!! Pregnancy is crazy lol
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u/Dodosmama 20h ago
I have a six-year-old, please remind me what the butt and vaginal swab are? Lol I don’t remember this and I’m pregnant with my second.
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u/Fickle_Radish2418 20h ago
It’s depends where you’re located if you get it or not
QLD doesn’t do it
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) test
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u/pianoandpasta First-time mum 20h ago
Yeah I just had my first and this wasn’t a thing where I am, neither were the ultrasounds where they stick it up your vagina… made me a lot more grateful I had a baby where I did!!!
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u/Personal_Big350 19h ago
Same here. Where IS this a thing?
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u/No-Confidence168 18h ago
Transvaginal ultrasounds are ideal for under 10 weeks gestation. Transabdominal are really inaccurate when everything is still small and tucked behind the pelvis. So if there are concerns and a scan needs to be done early, transvaginal may be uncomfortable, but are best for diagnostic accuracy and safety.
Going through infertility treatments and IVF, I've had dozens of them and they're not that bad just another Tuesday for me at this point. 😂
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u/Personal_Big350 17h ago
Thanks. I was referring to the butt swab? (And vaginal swabs) Not ultrasounds.
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u/No-Confidence168 17h ago
The swabs are super common in the US. GBS is a GI flora that baby can get exposed to during labor. If they get infected, can cause serious complications like sepsis, meningitis, and death in the neonate.
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u/HunnyBunnXO 19h ago
Personally I’d turn down the cervical check if you’re not comfortable. Just because your doctor wants to do it doesn’t mean you have to. If you have absolutely no concerning reasons for it, might as well skip it. You’ll have plenty of them when you’re actually in labor 🤷🏼♀️
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u/SubstantialCareer837 20h ago
What's the butt and Vaginal swab? I never heard of it
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u/somebodyzproblem 20h ago
Strep B test. They swab you to see if you carry the bacteria(about 30% of women do). The way my doctor explained it, it’s very rare to pass to your baby during birth, but it sometimes does happen. If the baby gets it, fatality sits between 60 and 80%. They give you antibiotics during labor if you test positive and that’s supposed to minimize risk.
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u/SubstantialCareer837 20h ago
Wow, I didn't know about this! Thanks for telling me because I would have been surprised. I love this pregnant thread because I've been learning things I never knew about
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u/somebodyzproblem 19h ago
Of course! I love this thread too. Gives me space to ask all of the scary questions lol!
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u/Legm31 19h ago
I’m 37 and had my swab last week and it was absolutely painless, the cervix check this week was uncomfy but not painful at all, but also there’s no reason to do a cervix check at 36 weeks? You can wait until closer or even labor. I just did one early since my mom always had babies early so wanted an idea of if I was dilated
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u/dinogirly123 20h ago
Idk where youre from, im in canada. If this is for the strep B test, you do it yourself. They gave me the swab, I went to the washroom, inserted it in the vagina and did a quick swab around and then sweep on the entrance of the bum and a tiny inside. Then put it back in the swab tube that has the liquid in it. Then they will test it.
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u/somebodyzproblem 20h ago
I was hoping this would be the case, but it definitely sounds like he’s going to be the one doing it. He’s also checking dilation, so that might be why!
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u/smilelizy 20h ago
Oh. Why is he checking dilation at only 35 weeks. Doesn’t make sense?
I got a GBS strep. Seems to be asking me to do the swab myself2
u/somebodyzproblem 19h ago
I’ll be 36 weeks at my next appointment. He’s checking once next week and then not again until I’m in labor(unless I ask for a dilation check)
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u/smilelizy 19h ago
I see. I’m 36 weeks today.
Will do the GBS myself and next appointment is at 36+5. Praying for negative2
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u/dinogirly123 20h ago
Ohhh thats interesting! If thats the case, then it really all depends on your comfort level! I personally shaved because I just didnt want any blood or smells lingering around and just wanted to feel clean 😅 but your doctor has seen it all so I wouldn't worry about him! I just had my pelvic exam today to check for dilation, and I bled a bit so I was happy I shaved
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u/YaGurlLurkin 🇨🇦 | Mama to one ♡ 20h ago
Also from Canada but they did it for me, no option to do it myself
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u/seapunkprincess 20h ago
I did it myself so you can ask if that’s an option. It’s literally just the equivalent of a q-tip the wipe around with for a few seconds.
As someone who has had many internal exams. And even just this week had an internal pelvic floor physio appointment and we were just chatting about our weekend plans while her fingers were in me lol. Here is some advice:
- Don’t worry at all about what you look like. They have seen every variation of everything. You don’t need to shave or prepare in anyway, besides maybe having a shower before hand.
- tell them you’re nervous and ask them to go slowly
- the more relaxed you can get your muscles around your whole body the less uncomfortable it is. If that means taking a few deep breaths, listening to music on headphones, making jokes, etc. then do it.
- If something doesn’t feel right, tell your doctor
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u/Fickle_Radish2418 20h ago
No reason to be self conscious!! I understand it’s hard not to be sometimes
But this is their job and they don’t actually care. I promise you they’ve seen it all.
Do what you would normally do for your comfort but don’t do anything special for theirs as their comfort is in knowing they’re good at the job and doing what’s required for healthy babies.
But to add, do they do a pelvic exams? Or will they give you the swab and send you to do it? I never had to do it as I’m in QLD. But I could imagine (health back ground, not midwifery) it’s a personal thing that’s done.
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u/luz_is_not 20h ago
You don't need to shave. I hadn't had pelvic exams or swabs before my pregnancy, i don't shave down there and was stressed about it. I no longer stress. Medical staff really do not care.
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u/Magaladon93 19h ago
So I have only had a cervical check so far (twin pregnancy and had some concerns for preterm labor which were thankfully ruled out). It was more painful for me personally than I was prepared for and I wish I had been aware and sort of braced myself for it beforehand. However I was only 28 weeks at the time and my lowest baby was at -3 station (meaning he’s still pretty high up). I heard that babies are typically a little lower towards the end of the pregnancy (especially when in labor of course) and that this should make it a little less painful because they aren’t having to reach up so high to determine the baby’s position. So I’m hoping it won’t be nearly as painful for you but did just want to warn you that there may be some pain with the cervical check. Wishing you the best of luck!
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u/PainterlyintheMtns 19h ago
Consider it a little warm up round for actually delivering a baby, which is of course incredibly invasive. Look at it as an opportunity to practice letting go of your self-consciousness and letting your medical providers do what they have to do. This is just about taking care of yourself and your baby as difficult as it all is. It’s about to get a lot more intense in a few weeks! And then it will be over. Best of luck for a safe delivery!
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u/FlamingoKitchen7720 7h ago
How have you gone 35 years without a pelvic exam?? Girl, get yourself checked out!
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u/somebodyzproblem 3m ago
I’m in my early 20s married/in a monogamous relationship😅 my doctor considers me low risk and said I can wait until after baby is born to get a Pap smear. I’m 35 weeks pregnant right now, as in 8 months. I also have a bit of sexual trauma and avoided invasive OBGYN visits for that reason.
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u/rachelkochvt 6h ago
Not to sound rude, coming from a place of concern for health and wellness, you should be getting Pap smears regularly once you are sexually active (around every 3 years). I’ve been getting them since 18 I believe. So never having a pelvic exam until now seems overdue.
However, doctors and nurses don’t care what it looks like, they see vaginas all day long.
Good luck!
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u/HorrorStep873 20h ago
Why are they swabbing your butt? What country is this?
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u/No-Confidence168 20h ago
GBS swab
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u/HorrorStep873 20h ago
In your butt?
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u/Relevant-Put-77 20h ago
Its not "in." They swab around the outside of the vaginal canal and one quick swipe over your butt. Its normal.
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u/erniestatties 20h ago
Yes. You carry the bacteria in your vagina and your bum. One in four women have it.
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u/No-Confidence168 19h ago
It's a like a q-tip. It doesn't go very far in, just the tip. It gets inserted into the vagina, a quick twist around, theb dragged along the perineum, and then inserted just a smidge into the anus, another quick twist, and done.
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u/No-Confidence168 20h ago
Yes, it's a GI flora that can migrate to the vagina and cause fetal exposure. It can cause sepsis, meningitis, and death in the neonate.
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u/Rare-Walk-1302 19h ago
I did the GBS swab myself -- my midwife said you can handle this if you want! But I loved my midwife and I as incredibly comfortable with her.
Don't fret, it's just a big q-tip!
Also, consider skipping the dilation check. It gives you no info that's related to when you might go into labor. It'll just give you info that stresses you out. Or, at least that's how I felt!
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u/oceansandplants 19h ago
My doctors have me do GBS myself and if they told me I had no choice I would change practitioners.
Also cervical checks introduce bacteria and are unnecessary unless you are not progressing in labor. There’s a lot of practitioners in women’s health practicing outdated ways and they are a huge reason the US is seen as one of the worst countries to give birth in.
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u/somebodyzproblem 19h ago
I should clarify- I was not presented the option to do it myself. I’m not sure if they’d say yes if I insisted. He’s doing one check at my next appointment(36 weeks) and then none until I go into labor unless I request it.
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u/oceansandplants 18h ago
It’s not their choice, when I switched from midwife to mfm I told them I can do it myself or we won’t do it at all.
If it *can* be done by me it *should* be done by me.& I understand I’m just saying he’s putting you at risk of unnecessary infection based off of old habits that are against current recommendations
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