(no subject)

[im-sassy.livejournal.com]

i was talking to someone the other day about a gyno exam and she nonchalantly mentioned that her boyfriend went in the exam room with her. she said it as if this is standard procedure and he always goes with her. and i wondered...who in here has had someone go with them into their exam, whether it be a boyfriend, husband, best friend etc. etc.? i know it would have comforted me if i could have had someone i knew there the first time i went, if just for a little moral support.

Comments

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

The first time I went was in 1979. I was alone, somewhat nervous, but I'd read about what to expect, and I was okay. Since then, I've had no nervousness about gynecology, so I haven't actually needed a companion.

I have

[satia.livejournal.com]

In fact, when I had the lump in my breast drained, Rob went in with me to make sure I was okay. (Just in case there was any bad news.) It is a good thing he did because they did find some growths that MAY be precancerous. In my highly sensitive and emotional state I might have come home and said that they found precancerous growths!

So he helped me keep things in perspective.

[a-typical.livejournal.com]

My boyfriend comes in with me at the doctors sometimes. Normally, if he's there and he's bored, he'll come in. He "assisted" the doc (moved the lamp) whilst I was having 5 moles removed from my back, and loved it. I don't think he's ever been there for a pelvic exam though.....I've been for one of his appointments when he's had his testicles checked. for me, it's a whatever thing. I guess I'm unusual in that I wanted my first pelvic exam alone. I just felt more comfortable that way.

[smartyskirt323.livejournal.com]

The first time that I went to the gynecologist, I had my mother come in with me to hold my hand. I also had my gynecologist talk me through everything she was doing. This helped me to relax and also made me feel like I was actually a part of the whole process, rather than just another faceless patient.

The next few times, I had a nurse come in and hold my hand. Even though I know what's going on, it still feels pretty darned weird, and I find comfort in either having the doctor walk me through everything she's doing as she's doing it, or having another woman hold my hand.

*shrug*

[oneirus.livejournal.com]

I don't normally have anyone go in with me at gyn exams, but last time I went my boyfriend was curious about the whole process so he asked me if he could go in with me. I didn't mind. He just watched what the doctor did and the doctor asked him if he wanted to see my cervix (he did). Yeah, the doctor said it's pretty common for women to have someone go in with them (usually for support).

[gigglinggorgon.livejournal.com]

my husband went with me to my initial exam for my last pregnancy. It was hard for him, but he did it, heh.

[dreamfireflame.livejournal.com]

I actually had my mom come with me the very first time. My gyno then was this scary old guy who was very evil and not gentle with me.. *shudders* I'm glad my mom was there to yell at him!! (I had never even used tampons then because I was so small inside, and he SHOVED the medium sized metal thing in.. I dunno what it's called, and I'm surprised he did not hurt me horribly!) Now I have a female doctor, well actually, the nurse practitioner, and I love her.. so mommy doesn't need to go with me anymore.. hehe.

[rupie-zum.livejournal.com]

I never had anyone go in with me until recently - I'm five months pregnant, and my husband has come to every OB appointment. It's been reassuring for me - there's so much to remember, and it's good to have an extra set of ears, and someone to ask questions you've forgotten about - and it's been a learning experience for him!

I don't know that I would have wanted to have someone with me when I was a teenager and going in for the first time - but I do wish I'd been better prepared for the particulars of the exam, just from a consumerism point of view. My mother is extremely uncomfortable with any kind of discussion about these things, so I got a late start in being ok with my own body. Things will be different for our daughter - we're both committed to that!

[perplexxi.livejournal.com]

i've never had someone go in with me (nor the desire) - however, i've been in the room during a friend's exam.

doctors visits...

[kryssicle.livejournal.com]

I have HPV, and one of my visits my boyfriend (who had broken up with me at the time) had comein with me...he felt uncomfortable but I wanted him to be there and to see what I was going through so that he would understand more then what he already did...I wanted him to know that as much as I bitched about it it wasn't as bad as I made it out to be...
Then this past Friday he ended up coming in with me to have my colposcopy and biopsy done..he was a little more at ease this time and he held my hand through the whole thing..I love him to death for his support and willingness to participate in something that affects us both...If he hadn't of been there for me Friday I would have gone nutz..bawling my eyes out because the only thing I could think about when the doctor told me that day that he was going to do a biopsy was "omg cancer"...it didn't matter that it was LOW GRADE tissues..the only thing that mattered was the prospect that I MIGHT get cancer SOMEDAY...and I was upset the rest of the day...he called out of work to be with me and to comfort me...

I also wish someone told me people could go in with you for your first exam..it would have made me a bit more at ease...