Bum checks

[Sweetmimi]

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!

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

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

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

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.

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!

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

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.

Yep!!

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

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

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

Absolutely not!

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

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

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!

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

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

*three births

Oh I should add I had a 2nd degree episiotomy

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

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.