What happens at the perineal clinic?

[ThatPlanWorked]

I’ve been referred to the ‘perineal clinic’ after telling midwife that I have a uterine prolapse and minor issues with urinary incontinence. I’m now wishing I didn’t say anything .

These things were diagnosed at my 6week post baby check up with DC1, I haven’t had the courage to have it investigated any further, I have a serious problem with vaginal examinations, and now my mind is in overdrive. I find it very difficult to be exposed and in such a vulnerable position.

Has anyone been before? What will they do? I want to cancel the appointment!

Don't have any experience of it myself but please please do go along.

Go along. You don't have to consent to vaginal examination. They can talk through your symptoms and give advice based on that and then talk through your options.

They will ask to do a vaginal exam, but you can say no. I said I was worried I'd wee on the doctor, she told me I wouldn't be the first!

Obviously they'll be able to give you more specific advice if you let them examine you but you don't have to. Do you want the issues resolving?

Could you take someone you trust with you?

I do want it resolved but the investigations involved fill me with a sense of panic. DC2 wasn’t planned and I still struggle to think about the birth, at the moment I am putting it off as only early days into pregnancy. I have buried my head in the sand, I did have PND which is now gone thank goodness. This is a hurdle I need to overcome I guess, but I can’t even go for a smear let alone have someone examine the way I would need examining

I’ll have a think about who I could take along with me

You sound very like me. I had birth trauma counseling which helped but now my incontinence is worse I'm finding it difficult to hold it together to be honest. I'm having panic attacks at the thought of a vaginal birth.

@overagain it brings some comfort to know I’m not alone. I’m sorry you’ve had trauma too. So many people tell me ‘oh they’ve seen it all before’ or ‘that birth is done now, can’t dwell on it’, I find it so difficult I don’t know who to speak to without being judged! I would 100% love to be a confident lady who isn’t phased by such appointments, but unfortunately that isn’t me.

The examination they would do is probably less invasive than a smear, to be honest. The speculum is half the size and for urinary incontinence they are looking just at the front wall of the vagina, not all the way up af the cervix.

Even if you don’t want to be examined I would still suggest going. You don’t have to consent to any examination, test or treatment if you don’t want to but at least you can have a chat and see what the options are. They are very used to women feeling uncomfortable and embarassed about this sort of thing, it’s quite normal to feel anxious so please don’t be afraid.

They didn't even use a speculum with me, it was a 2 finger examination. I had to squeeze and cough and she had a bit of a prod of the walls.