Was this unnecessary before an abortion?

[JumpRope]

I had an abortion aged 16. I had to travel around 50 miles from the complete sticks to Birmingham for for the procedure and before going to the clinic, I had to go and see a consultant in another part of town. My mum came with me.

Well, the consultant was quite an old chap, rather condescending and anyway, he ended the consultation up by putting basically his whole fist inside my vagina and feeling the wombs around. I was 12 weeks pregnant.

Now I'm wondering, was this normal? Sometimes it comes back in flashbacks, but that's the whole thing around the procedure, it wasn't especially nice all round. Aibu to think it might not have been a necessary part of the process?

I went with my sister when we were younger. That did not happen to her. It sounds terrible.

His whole fist. So sorry you had to experience that. That's not normal.

But normal Internal examinations were much common years ago. How long ago did this happen ?

I don't think you're unreasonable at all, doesn't sound necessary, although I wouldn't know. Might be worth contacting PALS at that hospital and seeing if a current doctor can review and explain your notes from the time? How long ago was it?

Were you scanned? How long ago were you 16? I think it was usual practise, yes.

It was, ahem, 20 years ago. Not scanned that I can remember.

Yes, this was quite normal 20 years ago. Was it your first internal exam? This combined with your age and the procedure probably made you feel more vulnerable, but it doesn't sound abnormal or untoward.

I had a termination 16 years ago. I had also had to see two doctors before I could be referred for the procedure. The second doctor did an internal exam to determine gestation. She certainly didn't use her whole fist though it wasn't pleasant.

Yes, it was my first. I still hated it when I had my children years later when the doctors did any internal things.,I wondered if it was buried memories, or do all women hate it and feel bad?

20 years ago internal examinations were standard practice. It's the whole fist thing that would bother me. Did you express any objection at the time? It must of been very painful for you

I had in internal for this reason many years ago. It was to see how far along you are and it involved a lot of prodding. I was very young and unused to such things and it was horrible.

Pretty sure most women don't like it, but what do you mean by feel bad?

Ok, it probably felt like a whole fist, idk I guess he had big hands. Feeling bad - I mean just a bit ashamed.....

Gobsmacked. I see people are saying this was normal practice but I'm shocked to hear this.
I had a termination (ironically went from the sticks to Brum, like you, OP) and simply had a scan on my belly with the ultrasound thing. Have never had an internal. I'm sorry the memory hasn't left you and hope you are ok xx

I too had a termination at 16, 16 years ago. I had an internal examination which from what I remember is as you describe. I also wasn't scanned. I remember it being very painful and traumatic. I was around 9 weeks.

I've also been wondering whether or not to post this question over the last couple of months, so thank you.

Omg jumprope. I think the same thing happened to me and I bet it was the same clinic. I have often wondered about this. At the time I was 18 and never even had a smear test. I remember thinking "is this normal?" And looking back now there wasnt even a nurse in the room.
It was about 15 years ago for me....

I've nc btw.

Jonsnow, that is why I asked if the OP had been scanned to check dates. Internal exams were common then for dating and for checking abnormalities.

I was not scanned but I think scanners were much more expensive in the past so most clinics would not have had one. I did not have a chaperone either. Th dr did tell me what he was doing though and he had to feel my uterus by poking it from inside and on the outside of my stomach my which was not nice.
I guess these days you would be scanned.

I had my first baby 28 years ago, the internals were horrendous.

I had MC's and one termination over the following ten years, all with very intrusive/painful internals.

As was the whole pregnancy/gyny path.

I was thankfull that the Liverpool Women's had opened when I managed to carry my next baby to term.

The scans/machines weren't as accurate as doing finger/fist calculations.

As well as the Scans not being as clear/accurate, they were more damaging than today's.

I had my first internal over 30 years ago, I felt violated. I think it was common back then. It was certainly before scans were around. He had shovel hands too. Not very nice for anyone to go through at 16 it felt doubley so. My bf was supposed to be with me, but the arse slept in - 9 am was the middle of the night for him.
You're not alone OP and Mimsy.

I was pregnant 17 years ago and scanning machines were few and far between in my area. There was none at the health centre and you had to travel 12 miles to an antenatal clinic to have a dating scan.

Op could you perhaps have some counselling this might help.

OP, sorry to hear you are left with feelings of shame, maybe this thread will reassure you that although these exams are often deeply unpleasant, there was nothing sinister occurring.

I had an internal a few months ago where the doctor wanted to feel the size of my uterus and it fix feel like he put his whole dustbin there! There was nothing sinister but it was very uncomfortable - and I've had 2 children so have had internals in the past. It may have been that the doctor was simply lacking empathy about how painful it can be?

Fist not dustbin obviously !!! Bloody phone!!