Lily Goes to the Gynocologist
Lily sat in the waiting room, feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation. It had been a while since her last checkup, and she’d always felt a little anxious about gynecological exams. When her name was called, she took a deep breath and followed the nurse into a cozy, softly lit exam room.
The nurse introduced herself as Katie and noticed Lily’s unease. “Don’t worry, Lily, we’ll go at your pace. Dr. Thompson is very gentle and will walk you through each part of the exam.” Lily nodded, grateful for the reassurance, and Katie led her through a few preliminary steps, including measuring her blood pressure and temperature. Once that was complete, she handed Lily a soft gown. “Just undress from the waist down and cover yourself with the gown. Dr. Thompson will be in shortly.”
After a few moments, there was a gentle knock on the door, and Dr. Thompson entered with a warm, friendly smile. “Hi, Lily! It’s nice to meet you. Today, I’ll be doing a basic pelvic exam as part of your annual check-up, which helps us ensure everything is healthy.” Her calm, welcoming demeanor helped Lily relax a little.
Dr. Thompson explained each step of the exam in detail before beginning. “I know these exams can feel a bit strange, so I’ll walk you through everything. If you have any questions or feel uncomfortable at any point, just let me know.” Lily felt grateful for the reassurance.
Step 1: External Examination
Dr. Thompson started with the external part of the exam. “First, I’ll take a look at the outside, checking for any skin issues or irritation,” she explained, keeping her tone calm and friendly. She examined Lily’s vulva and surrounding area, using gentle touches. “Everything looks healthy here,” she said, helping Lily feel at ease.
Step 2: Internal Examination with Speculum
“Now, I’ll use a speculum to gently look at your cervix,” Dr. Thompson said, showing her the speculum before she used it. “This might feel like a bit of pressure, but I’ll be as gentle as possible.” She asked Lily to take a deep breath, and Lily felt a small pinch and slight pressure as the speculum was inserted. Dr. Thompson reassured her with a soft, “You’re doing great.”
Once the speculum was in place, Dr. Thompson explained she would take a sample for a Pap smear, which checks for any abnormal cells on the cervix. Lily felt a quick, light scraping sensation, and Dr. Thompson continued to communicate, explaining that the sample was already collected. “All done with that part! It only takes a moment, and you did perfectly,” she said with a smile as she gently removed the speculum.
Step 3: Bimanual Examination
Dr. Thompson explained the next part, called the bimanual exam. “For this, I’ll use two fingers inside while pressing on your abdomen to feel your uterus and ovaries. It helps us make sure there are no unusual lumps or tenderness,” she explained.
Lily felt a bit of pressure as Dr. Thompson gently placed two gloved fingers inside her vagina and used her other hand to press on Lily’s lower abdomen. Dr. Thompson worked slowly, describing what she was checking for as she palpated her uterus and ovaries. “Everything feels perfectly normal,” she reassured, smiling warmly as she completed the bimanual exam.
Step 4: Rectovaginal Examination (Optional)
Dr. Thompson mentioned that sometimes a rectovaginal exam might be performed if it’s necessary for a thorough check, but since everything appeared healthy, there was no need for it today. Lily felt relieved, and Dr. Thompson confirmed they were done with the physical part of the exam.
Step 5: Consultation and Health Discussion
Dr. Thompson helped Lily sit up and made sure she was comfortable before going over the results. “Lily, everything looks healthy,” she said, smiling. “You’re doing a great job taking care of your health. It’s important to keep these regular check-ups, especially as they help us catch any changes early.”
Dr. Thompson then asked if Lily had any questions or concerns about her reproductive health. Lily appreciated the open dialogue and felt at ease asking about menstrual symptoms she’d been experiencing. Dr. Thompson offered insights, suggesting a few lifestyle tips and mentioning that she was there if Lily ever needed more support or information.
As Lily left the office, she felt a weight lifted. Dr. Thompson’s compassionate, thoughtful approach had made an experience she’d been dreading so much easier. Lily felt reassured, confident, and empowered about her health and wellbeing.