worried about labia during internal exams!! first time mum

[FloralWavesx]

So I know this is silly and labia comes in all shapes and sizes. But I'm a first time mum and I will be in hospital tomorrow to be induced and I know there will be lots of internal exams. I am worried sick and building myself up over the appearance of my fanjo sigh I've never shown anyone but partners my bits and the thought of strangers seeing and having to feel is making me so uncomfortable.

I haven't been blessed with delicate labia and my lips make me very uncomfortable, they are larger than your average and it can be tricky to get a finger in sometimes if you don't know how to work it and there is no lubrication. I'm worried they aren't going to be able to get a finger in to feel how dilated I am Etc and I'm going to be mortified!!

I do realise this is stupid and I'm not usually a worrier but I am getting very worked up thinking about how exposed I am going to feel!

Please help me calm down!

Firstly, you are normal and a midwife will have seen hundreds of vulvas that look just like yours. They will also be very experienced at examining women and aren’t likely to be fazed by your anatomy. They do use lubricant anyway.

I know it’s not fun. But on the plus side, after giving birth I was no longer remotely worried or embarrassed about vaginal examinations or smears. Exposure therapy, if you like

Good luck!

They use lube and they are at a better position vision wise to see umm how your flaps are sitting?

Also, Google the “great wall of vagina”. It’ll help put your worries about your genital appearance right into perspective!

It’s easy to be concerned about this, but once things get going you honestly honestly won’t care, and the janitor could deliver the baby for all you’ll care. They also don’t really look, it’s all done by feel and they will be experts at getting to the bits they need.
Ps- I’m one hundred per cent sure you are completely normal!

I just googled the Great Wall of vagina. Thanks for that. It's brilliant!

OP, please don't worry. They have seen it all before. Honestly. You are perfectly normal.

FloralWaves please do not worry. I worked in Gynae and Women’s health for most of my long career and have seen thousands of fannies. None were remarkable. Honestly.

If you want to be remembered sprinkle a little glitter?

Seriously though I had loads of internal exams after the first one you get used to it

It will be absolutely fine. The person examining you will be able to do what they need to without difficulty.
Sounds like it might be helpful for you to decide what to think about while they get on with it so you’re not freaking out. Have you ever tried self hypnosis type visualisations? I’ve found concentrating on my breathing, imagining certain places, smelling something familiar etc helpful during medical exams. You can practice before hand so you know that all you have to do is lie there and imagine a familiar walk or whatever. Sounds naff but it can work. Good luck!

I've never heard of the Great Wall of vagina! Brilliant!

I used to totally freak out about this kind of stuff but I had the world and his wife looking at my foof after a complicated pregnancy and a long labour, so I really didn't give a shit by the end of it!

Be careful about photos... I took one after surgery, and it kept popping up in my live tiles. Was a bugger to get rid of.

And yes, you'll let anyone see it by the time you've had the baby. All sense of privacy goes.

Believe me when I tell you that when the time comes you won't care.

Once labour starts and picks up pace, everything else goes out of the window and your body takes charge. It’s magical !

You won't be worried about a finger fitting in anywhere by the time it's all over! Good Luck!

Good luck OP! You will soon forget how having some dignity and feeling embarrassed is like! And you will also know the greatest love in the world 💕 in a ward full of women giving birth, I bet there is a fanjo like yours, and mine xxxxx