To wonder if they did more internals in the 50s

[anotherchangetomyname]

On call the midwife, every examination seems to involve an internal. Why? In my pregnancy I had none until labour- could have had a sweep but didn't get that far.

Was it just standard back then, or is it 'artistic licence's?

Well there were no scans of anything then, were there? Probably had to have a wee rummage about to check positions etc?

A bit of both. Women used to have enemas, be shaved and had VEs during booking. Antenatal Care was in its infancy. There was not routine access to,scans or CTGs.

Yes I think it was much more routine, to assess position etc. Same for me, none until labour, and I was dreading it but boy am I glad my midwife did it as she picked up that baby was breech!

It was like that in 1975, Banana. It was great having a pipeful of soapy water shoved up your bum mid contraction.

i had an enema in 2009! is that not normal? (this was spain)

Enema’s are optional were I worked. The Dr’s really really encouraged the staff to advocate for them.

Enema during labour? My body produced a natural one both times!

I gave birth in the late 80s and had an internal most times I went to the antenatal clinic.

The enema was given as my contractions started to get closer together; it wasn’t a nice experience! I wasn’t shaved though.

It was more at the midwife clinics I meant - like before labour, when women were 4/5/6 months pregnant. Just seems really odd to me! I just wondered if it was based on truth or not.

It was like that in 1975, Banana. It was great having a pipeful of soapy water shoved up your bum mid contraction.
I cannot even imagine Bluelady! shudders

I had my eldest in 1986 and had lots of internals. Youngest in 2007 had none.

I had my DC in the 70s and 80s. We were routinely examined internally from early pregnancy; nobody ever asked permission - they just did it.

Also had enema/shave as preparation for the induction of my first. Managed to avoid that subsequently by going into labour at home and staying put until I was too far gone for their interventions

When I arrived at hospital for my second, the midwife remarked crossly that I was too advanced for her to administer an enema. Oh dear, what a shame, I said.

It was horrific, Rabbity. They shaved you too and the razor wasn't especially sharp. I was 21 and a complete innocent, nobody thought to warn me.

I never had an internal until I was in labour, and my first child was born in 1988. I did have an enema and a shave with my first, but not with the others.

Actually, thinking about it, I may have been shaved. I had internal stitches afterwards and I have always embraced the 70s in my approach to my bush, so that wouldn’t have been an easy task. I can’t remember because once he was born, the whole process paled into insignificance.