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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Bum checks

28 replies

Sweetmimi · 01/03/2018 14:35

Sorry if this is TMI but I was wondering whether anyone had their bum checked after labour by the midwife?! With my first birth it never happened so I was taken by surprise this time round!

OP posts:
squadronleader87 · 01/03/2018 14:36

Yes I did, it was to check that a tear hasn’t caused damage up there. I was asked for consent first.

RefuseTheLies · 01/03/2018 14:38

I did. Dignity had long since disappeared so didn’t even seem like a weird request.

pestov · 01/03/2018 14:44

Yep! Needed to check if my tear was third degree or just a bad second. She did ask and was very quick. Shame stitching me up took over an hour in stirrups

littlemissalwaystired · 01/03/2018 14:46

It's done to ensure no tears - sometimes there can be hidden ones that aren't visible. Consent should always be gained first though and the reason why, explained.

katmarie · 01/03/2018 14:48

Yup, after they stitched up my episiotomy they stuck a finger up there to make sure there were no tears or anything. The midwife who did our antenatal class did warn us that would happen though!

mintich · 01/03/2018 14:53

I had one after they sewed up my tear and episiotomy (yes both!) Luckily I'd had a spinal block so didn't feel it

CocoLoco87 · 01/03/2018 15:01

I did after DC1 (3rd degree tear). I had it checked a few times actually. My 6 week check was fine but when I had it checked after a week I was still very overwhelmed with the birth and tearing etc and the Dr had NO bedside manner whatsoever. She was very rude and abrupt and it wasn't a great situation. In hindsight I wish I'd asked for someone else to do it but i was taken by surprise and not very confident.

sportyfool · 01/03/2018 15:04

Yep!!

DryHeave · 01/03/2018 19:32

Yep, I think it’s standard procedure (but with consent obtained). I also had a lovely painkilling suppository added afterwards!

Whatcanido13 · 01/03/2018 21:21

Yup. It’s to check for 3rd degree tearing... they still managed to miss it tho in my case 😢

ariettyspaghetti · 01/03/2018 21:22

Yep. Can't even remember the actual happening though and I was drug free 🤷‍♀️ honestly it's a tiny tiny tiny thing in the whole miracle.

FartnissEverbeans · 02/03/2018 14:05

I did, by a male OB who didn't ask first! I was like 'WTAF just happened?! Did he just stick his finger up my arse?!!'

By that point it didn't seem like a big deal TBH as they whole ordeal had been an absolute shocker, but I remember being rather surprised at the time

DetectiveDog · 02/03/2018 14:11

Oh not that I know of but I had an epidural and was unaware of the whole stitching up bit so I guess they might have done! Thanks for the warning!

Soubriquet · 02/03/2018 14:13

Yep. Had a second degree tear so a finger was popped up there to make sure it wasn't 3rd degree

Frankly, after giving birth, I wasn't really bothered.

Spam88 · 02/03/2018 14:27

Yep, finger up the bum to check for tears and again after stitching me up to check she hadn't stitched my bum up. The gas and air made me a bit silly...so I was telling her all about my husband having to get a finger up the bum for a visa application.

PurpleTraitor · 02/03/2018 14:28

Absolutely not!

bigbootsj · 02/03/2018 14:30

Is this a new thing? I have ds9 and dd7 and this never happened to me?

Spam88 · 02/03/2018 14:33

Maybe it's only if you have a second degree tear or worse..?

Lj8893 · 02/03/2018 14:37

It's best practice to do so to make sure there arnt any not visible tears or to make sure the visible tears arnt 3rd/4th degree. An undiagnosed/stitched 3rd or 4th degree tear can be life changing.

However, it should definitely be discussed with you before it happens to make sure you consent!

jmscp2015 · 02/03/2018 14:39

Yep it was checked - but I had a very strong spinal / epidural in just incase if they needed to go for EMCS. So I didn't even feel it, they did ask though Blush

1Strawberry · 02/03/2018 14:39

Has never happened to me in three so maybe just for a bad tear (which I haven't experienced..)

1Strawberry · 02/03/2018 14:40

*three births

jmscp2015 · 02/03/2018 14:40

Oh I should add I had a 2nd degree episiotomy

Spam88 · 02/03/2018 14:40

Honestly though I'd take a finger up the bum over 4 fingers in my cervix any day 🤷‍♀️

FormerlyFrikadela01 · 02/03/2018 14:40

4 different people stuck their finger up my bum... student midwife, midwife, doctor then consultant. My 2nd degree tear was a "messy one" apparently. All asked for consent first though.