All FOR no Vaginal Exams!

by Sophie Forte
(Perth, WA, Australia)

My name is Sophie and I gave birth to my beautiful girl, Isabelle, 20 months ago at home.

I had a wonderful midwife (Corrie) from the Midwifery Community in North Fremantle, Perth, WA.

My pregnancy was free of complications which meant that I had no worries going into my birth at home.

When I asked Corrie, about half a day after my waters broke, if and when we needed to do a vaginal exam (I assumed it was neccessary with all labours) she told me that it was unneccessary and un-hygenic and she would prefer if we didn't do any, because it could cause an infection and having the knowledge wouldn't change my labour or birth in any way.

So I didn't have a single vaginal exam and my labour (the really painful part) only lasted 4 1/2 hours.

I gave birth in a birthing pool and it was the most liberating thing I have ever done.

Thank you for this infomation, because there are too many myths about birthing that people assume are facts.

I'm looking forward to getting pregnant again and having another home birth.