Women's experiences of vaginal examinations during labour

Abstract

This study aimed to gain insight into women's experiences of vaginal examinations during labour. The objectives of the study were to disclose the feelings of embarrassment and anxiety incited in women whilst a vaginal examination is performed, to explore the experiences of women with regards to privacy and pain at the time of a vaginal examination during their labour, and to explore the experiences of women regarding informed choice and support whilst receiving a vaginal examination during their labour. In this small-scale descriptive study, data was collected by means of an anonymised, self-completion, structured questionnaire which contained both closed- and open-ended questions. Convenience sampling was chosen to recruit a sample of forty (N=40) postpartum women from two obstetric wards at a local general hospital. A response rate of 100% was achieved. Data was analysed manually using simple descriptive statistics and content analysis. Results showed that women were content with the frequency, privacy, sensitivity and support with which vaginal examinations in labour were managed. Women felt comfortable and were not embarrassed during the examination, as the procedure was carried out in a dignified manner. Moreover, women felt that they were given adequate information on vaginal examinations. Nonetheless, there was still some possibility for improvement with regard to information-giving, opportunities to refuse vaginal examinations and associated pain. Despite this, results indicate that 14 (35%) women were very satisfied and a further 16 ( 40%) women were satisfied with their experience of vaginal examinations. On the other hand, seven ( 17.5%) women were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, one (2.5%) woman was dissatisfied whereas the remaining two (5%) women were very dissatisfied with their experience of vaginal examinations during their labour. Recommendations include detailed information-giving on vaginal examinations at the booking interview and during antenatal classes, pre- and post-registration education on the potential physical and psychological effects of vaginal examinations and on other methods of assessing progress in labour, and the need for empirical research to justify the routine use of vaginal examinations.