Feeling embarrassed after first vaginal examination

[Worrywort98]

Firstly sorry if this is tmi! I'm almost 30 weeks pregnant and this morning i had a gush of pale brown/pink watery liquid. Was quite concerned so called in with midwife at hospital.

Long story short everything seems OK and didn't think it was labour.
But she did a vaginal examination (this is my first pregnancy and I have never had this done to me before) & took swaps etc

Obviously I know I'm going to have to get used to this for giving birth 😭😅, but I hadn't shaved or anything down there. My brain is telling me they're used to it, they likely don't give a rats ass, etc etc... But I can't help but feel embarrassed!! Not a question as such but anybody else experienced feeling like this or am I just feeling awkward bc it's the first time being inspected down there ? Also is it okay to not be shaved down there? Can't reach a thing haha. Just need a reassuring comment or two, please don't judge me 😂

That's total shite. A doctor who has spent probably upwards of 7 years qualifying and working towards their profession would not behave in that way, and would know they would be struck off and lose everything they've worked towards.
Your comment could put people off having life saving screening.

You are MEANT to have public hair OP. Please don’t feel you ever have to shave it off for someone else’s benefit.

Midwife here. We genuinely don’t care at all! It’s not an issue, please don’t feel embarrassed.

Thank you ❤️❤️🙏

I’ve also done lots of gynae (well not just gynae) exams. I’m never ever thinking about what people look like, I’m thinking about the equipment I need, where are the name labels for specimen/swab pots, how technically difficult - or otherwise the examination is, and making sure the patient is ok. I’m usually very focused on the task at hand and honestly, honestly, most doctors and nurses are professional and respectful. We’re not there to judge, rarely fazed by anything, and just want to help.

You've all got far more important things on your mind than whether you've shaved some hair off.

Frankly, I was massive and uncomfortable, and even if I was a regular shaver (I'm not.. it's itchy and horrible), I wouldn't go to the extreme effort required to reach around a massive bump and do it - that includes my legs. Pregnancy is uncomfortable enough without adding more.

I used to work in A&E and hair is normal! I had 1 woman who tried to trim around her bump using a mirror and snipped her labia! I've also seen women (and men) with terrible bumps and spots from shaving and getting ingrown hairs and infections! I'd much prefer to see hair than any of the above OP.

As a side, you can always ask for a chaperone to go with you for support- a female staff member, your partner, friend, mum/sister etc. They won't be at the business end seeing your bits and could be sitting next to you, or even behind the curtain if you'd prefer.
Best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy x

You have never had a smear ? They couldnt give two hoots if you shaved or not and buy the time you give birth you won't be able to reach or see to shave anyway 😂

Nope... Only started getting Dr's letters about them this year as I'm now 25, but can't have one while pregnant! Will have to wait until next year.

Thank you ❤️🙏

Honestly you could go into labour at any day without warning and you will not care at that point when someone is examining you or baby is coming out, you’ll look back on this after the labour and smile ❤️

I pooed in labour and the midwife had to sieve it out of the pool.

I doubt many people are shaving pre labour. I was always more concerned that it would happen whilst we has been out all day, I was super sweaty whilst pregnant.

Tbh, if they’re HCPs, they would prefer to see hair rather than bald-it helps prevent infections.

That's such a nice way of looking at it!! Thank you X

I had an emergency internal scan and afterwards I realised I hadn’t shaved anywhere. My legs look like I tapped wigs on them….got to love the winter babahahah!

Why would a medical professional care whether you had shaved "or anything" (not sure what that covers-vajazzle?)

When I was pregnant with DS my pubic hair grew really long. I let it grow because I was intrigued to see how long it would get then forgot about it and went into labour early 😳 The midwife examined me when I was getting close, and said “ooh you’re having a hairy baby”. Umm no, DS came out totally bald 😂 They’ve seen it all, don’t worry about it!

Yeah they won't care hunny you're overthinking it. Glad all was well today and good luck with the rest of your pregnancy 😀

They absolutely don’t care, it’s truly all the same to them!

glad all is ok with your pregnancy ♥️

Nope

Total crap! One of those apocryphal stories which are spread around by the I know someone who knows someone who’s cat ran down their garden who this happened to brigade.

I once went for a smear after having had a bath the night before, not realising my eldest child had had a bath before me using a glitter bath bomb.

I was covered in glitter. My pubic hair was like a glitter ball.

Try explaining that to the nurse!!

You do not have to shave ever. Pregnancy or not. No one cares.

Total rubbish. Same sort of story as my friend was once in a lift with Mike Tyson. He (Mike) shouted get down so my friend dropped to the floor. Then he saw Mike Tysons dog who was being instructed to lie down....................

It's so depressing that women worry about being judged for having normal body hair.