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Women’s Experiences and Frequency of Vaginal Examination during Labor

Year 2021, Volume: 11 Issue: 3, 426 - 431, 27.09.2021
https://doi.org/10.33808/clinexphealthsci.765157

Abstract

Objective: Vaginal examinations (VE’s) are techniques that are widely used by midwives, nurses or doctors to assess the progress of labor. The present study aimed to determine the women’s experiences and frequency of VE during labor.
Methods: A total of 328 women who gave vaginal birth were included in this descriptive study conducted in Turkey between January and October 2019. Data were collected in the first 24 h after birth using the “The Women's Experiences of Vaginal Examinations in Labour (WEVEL)” Scale.
Results: VE was performed 4.05±1.721 (range,1–12) times and by 2.41±1.241 (range,1–7) different medical personnel during labor. During VE, women mostly experience fear, pain, and shame. The average score of women on the WEVEL scale was 74.18±10.078 (good level). VE experiences of women to whom information was provided before the procedure, for whom the sex of medical personnel did not matter, whose privacy was protected, and on whom VE was performed by the same medical personnel were more positive; the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05).
Conclusion: VE should be performed while considering the sociocultural characteristics of the woman, paying attention to her privacy, only in cases where it is necessary and by the same medical personnel, as much as possible.

Thanks

The authors thank all the women who participated in this research.

References

  • Stewart M. Midwives' discourses on vaginal examination in labour. University of the West of England. Faculty of Health and Social Care, Doctoral dissertation. 2008.
  • Queensland maternity and neonatal clinical guideline: normal birth [online database]. Queensland Clinical Guidelines, 2017 (https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/142007/gnormalbirth.pdf., accessed 5 May 2019].
  • WHO recommendations: intrapartum care for a positive childbirth experience [online database]. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2018 (https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/260178/9789241550215eng.pdf;jsessionid=2D0982E597D1358C69CBE8BB28453AEF?sequence=1., accessed 5 May 2019].
  • NICE Clinical guideline: Intrapartum care for healthy women and babies [online database]. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, 2014 (https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg190/resources/intrapartum-care-for-healthy-women-and-babies-pdf-35109866447557, accessed 5 May 2019].
  • Borders N, Lawton R, Martin SR. A clinical audit of the number of vaginal examinations in labor: A Novel Idea. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health 2012; 57(2):139-144.
  • El-Moniem EFA, Mohamady SH. Effect of vaginal examination frequency practice during normal childbirth on psychophysical condition of women. IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science 2016; 5(6):36-44.
  • Hassan SJ, Sundby J, Husseini A, Bjertness E. The paradox of vaginal examination practice during normal childbirth: Palestinian women’s feelings, opinions, knowledge and experiences. Reproductive Health 2012; 9(1):16.
  • Hatamleh R, Gharibeh H, Bnayan AA. Jordanian women's perceptions of intrapartum vaginal examination. Evidence Based Midwifery 2012; 10(4):131-136.
  • Lewin D, Fearon B, Hemmings V, Johnson G. Women's experiences of vaginal examinations in labour. Midwifery 2005; 21(3):267-277.
  • Phumdoung S, Youngvanichsate S. Women's experiences of receiving a vaginal examination during labor. Songkla Med J 2009; 27(6):465-470.
  • Shepherd A, Cheyne H. The frequency and reasons for vaginal examinations in labour. Women and Birth 2013; 26(1):49-54.
  • Uzel HG, Yanıkkerem E. Evidence-based practice during ıntrapartum period: preferences of women giving birth. E-Journal of Dokuz Eylul University Nursing Faculty 2018; 11(1):26-34. (Turkish)
  • de Klerk HW, Boere E, van Lunsen RH, Bakker JJH. Women’s experiences with vaginal examinations during labor in the Netherlands. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology 2018; 39(2):90-95.
  • Downe S, Gyte GM, Dahlen HG, Singata M. Routine vaginal examinations for assessing progress of labour to improve outcomes for women and babies at term. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013; 15(7):1-36.
  • Erkek ZY, Özer S. The Opinions of Mothers Regarding the Vaginal Examination during Birth. Journal of Anatolia Nursing and Health Sciences 2020; 23(1):9-16. (Turkish)
  • Güneş G, Karaçam Z. Vaginal Examination Experiences of Women in Postpartum Period: A Qualitative Research. E-Journal of Dokuz Eylul University Nursing Faculty 2018; 11(2):87-95. (Turkish)
  • Teskereci G, Yangın H, Akpınar A. Experiences of women regarding vaginal examination during labor: A qualitative study. Health Care for Women International 2020; 41(1):75-88.
  • Afacan M. The women's experiences of vaginal examinations in labour: The validity and reliability study Turkish version of Lewin's scale. Eskişehir Osmangazi University. Institute of Health Sciences, Master's thesis. 2018. (Turkish)
  • Karaçam Z, Akyüz EÖ. Supportive Care in Labor and The Rol of Midwife / Nurse. Florence Nightingale Journal of Nursing 2011; 19(1): 45-53. (Turkish)
  • Muliira RS, Seshan V, Ramasubramaniam S. Improving vaginal examinations performed by midwives. SQU Medical Journal 2013; 13(3):435-442.
  • Regulation of The Patient Rights of Turkey, Official Gazette. no.23420 of 01 Agu 1998, Art 7. (Turkish)
  • Güneş G. Discomfort during vaginal examination, history of abuse and posttraumatic stress disorders in women. Adnan Menderes University. Institute of Health Sciences Midwifery, Master's thesis. 2015.
  • Swahnberg K, Wijma B, Siwe K. Strong discomfort during vaginal examination: why consider a history of abuse?. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 2011; 157(2):200-205.
  • Yanikkerem E, Özdemir M, Bingol H, Tatar A, Karadeniz G. Women's attitudes and expectations regarding gynaecological examination. Midwifery 2009; 25(5):500-508.
  • Erbil N, Şenkul A, Sağlam Y, Ergül N. Determination of attitudes with gynecologic examination and anxiety of Turkish women before gynecologic examination. Journal of Human Sciences 2008; 5(1):1-13. (Turkish).
  • Maaita M, Al-Amro SQ, Fayez I, Al-Quran F. Jordanian Women's Feelings, Opinions and Knowledge of Vaginal Examination during Childbirth. Journal of the Royal Medical Services 2017; 102(5435):1-12.
Year 2021, Volume: 11 Issue: 3, 426 - 431, 27.09.2021
https://doi.org/10.33808/clinexphealthsci.765157

Abstract

References

  • Stewart M. Midwives' discourses on vaginal examination in labour. University of the West of England. Faculty of Health and Social Care, Doctoral dissertation. 2008.
  • Queensland maternity and neonatal clinical guideline: normal birth [online database]. Queensland Clinical Guidelines, 2017 (https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/142007/gnormalbirth.pdf., accessed 5 May 2019].
  • WHO recommendations: intrapartum care for a positive childbirth experience [online database]. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2018 (https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/260178/9789241550215eng.pdf;jsessionid=2D0982E597D1358C69CBE8BB28453AEF?sequence=1., accessed 5 May 2019].
  • NICE Clinical guideline: Intrapartum care for healthy women and babies [online database]. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, 2014 (https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg190/resources/intrapartum-care-for-healthy-women-and-babies-pdf-35109866447557, accessed 5 May 2019].
  • Borders N, Lawton R, Martin SR. A clinical audit of the number of vaginal examinations in labor: A Novel Idea. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health 2012; 57(2):139-144.
  • El-Moniem EFA, Mohamady SH. Effect of vaginal examination frequency practice during normal childbirth on psychophysical condition of women. IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science 2016; 5(6):36-44.
  • Hassan SJ, Sundby J, Husseini A, Bjertness E. The paradox of vaginal examination practice during normal childbirth: Palestinian women’s feelings, opinions, knowledge and experiences. Reproductive Health 2012; 9(1):16.
  • Hatamleh R, Gharibeh H, Bnayan AA. Jordanian women's perceptions of intrapartum vaginal examination. Evidence Based Midwifery 2012; 10(4):131-136.
  • Lewin D, Fearon B, Hemmings V, Johnson G. Women's experiences of vaginal examinations in labour. Midwifery 2005; 21(3):267-277.
  • Phumdoung S, Youngvanichsate S. Women's experiences of receiving a vaginal examination during labor. Songkla Med J 2009; 27(6):465-470.
  • Shepherd A, Cheyne H. The frequency and reasons for vaginal examinations in labour. Women and Birth 2013; 26(1):49-54.
  • Uzel HG, Yanıkkerem E. Evidence-based practice during ıntrapartum period: preferences of women giving birth. E-Journal of Dokuz Eylul University Nursing Faculty 2018; 11(1):26-34. (Turkish)
  • de Klerk HW, Boere E, van Lunsen RH, Bakker JJH. Women’s experiences with vaginal examinations during labor in the Netherlands. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology 2018; 39(2):90-95.
  • Downe S, Gyte GM, Dahlen HG, Singata M. Routine vaginal examinations for assessing progress of labour to improve outcomes for women and babies at term. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013; 15(7):1-36.
  • Erkek ZY, Özer S. The Opinions of Mothers Regarding the Vaginal Examination during Birth. Journal of Anatolia Nursing and Health Sciences 2020; 23(1):9-16. (Turkish)
  • Güneş G, Karaçam Z. Vaginal Examination Experiences of Women in Postpartum Period: A Qualitative Research. E-Journal of Dokuz Eylul University Nursing Faculty 2018; 11(2):87-95. (Turkish)
  • Teskereci G, Yangın H, Akpınar A. Experiences of women regarding vaginal examination during labor: A qualitative study. Health Care for Women International 2020; 41(1):75-88.
  • Afacan M. The women's experiences of vaginal examinations in labour: The validity and reliability study Turkish version of Lewin's scale. Eskişehir Osmangazi University. Institute of Health Sciences, Master's thesis. 2018. (Turkish)
  • Karaçam Z, Akyüz EÖ. Supportive Care in Labor and The Rol of Midwife / Nurse. Florence Nightingale Journal of Nursing 2011; 19(1): 45-53. (Turkish)
  • Muliira RS, Seshan V, Ramasubramaniam S. Improving vaginal examinations performed by midwives. SQU Medical Journal 2013; 13(3):435-442.
  • Regulation of The Patient Rights of Turkey, Official Gazette. no.23420 of 01 Agu 1998, Art 7. (Turkish)
  • Güneş G. Discomfort during vaginal examination, history of abuse and posttraumatic stress disorders in women. Adnan Menderes University. Institute of Health Sciences Midwifery, Master's thesis. 2015.
  • Swahnberg K, Wijma B, Siwe K. Strong discomfort during vaginal examination: why consider a history of abuse?. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 2011; 157(2):200-205.
  • Yanikkerem E, Özdemir M, Bingol H, Tatar A, Karadeniz G. Women's attitudes and expectations regarding gynaecological examination. Midwifery 2009; 25(5):500-508.
  • Erbil N, Şenkul A, Sağlam Y, Ergül N. Determination of attitudes with gynecologic examination and anxiety of Turkish women before gynecologic examination. Journal of Human Sciences 2008; 5(1):1-13. (Turkish).
  • Maaita M, Al-Amro SQ, Fayez I, Al-Quran F. Jordanian Women's Feelings, Opinions and Knowledge of Vaginal Examination during Childbirth. Journal of the Royal Medical Services 2017; 102(5435):1-12.
There are 26 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Health Care Administration
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Ebru Küçük 0000-0003-1182-7807

Kıymet Yeşilçiçek Çalık 0000-0001-7146-3385

Publication Date September 27, 2021
Submission Date July 7, 2020
Published in Issue Year 2021 Volume: 11 Issue: 3

Cite

APA Küçük, E., & Yeşilçiçek Çalık, K. (2021). Women’s Experiences and Frequency of Vaginal Examination during Labor. Clinical and Experimental Health Sciences, 11(3), 426-431. https://doi.org/10.33808/clinexphealthsci.765157
AMA Küçük E, Yeşilçiçek Çalık K. Women’s Experiences and Frequency of Vaginal Examination during Labor. Clinical and Experimental Health Sciences. September 2021;11(3):426-431. doi:10.33808/clinexphealthsci.765157
Chicago Küçük, Ebru, and Kıymet Yeşilçiçek Çalık. “Women’s Experiences and Frequency of Vaginal Examination During Labor”. Clinical and Experimental Health Sciences 11, no. 3 (September 2021): 426-31. https://doi.org/10.33808/clinexphealthsci.765157.
EndNote Küçük E, Yeşilçiçek Çalık K (September 1, 2021) Women’s Experiences and Frequency of Vaginal Examination during Labor. Clinical and Experimental Health Sciences 11 3 426–431.
IEEE E. Küçük and K. Yeşilçiçek Çalık, “Women’s Experiences and Frequency of Vaginal Examination during Labor”, Clinical and Experimental Health Sciences, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 426–431, 2021, doi: 10.33808/clinexphealthsci.765157.
ISNAD Küçük, Ebru - Yeşilçiçek Çalık, Kıymet. “Women’s Experiences and Frequency of Vaginal Examination During Labor”. Clinical and Experimental Health Sciences 11/3 (September 2021), 426-431. https://doi.org/10.33808/clinexphealthsci.765157.
JAMA Küçük E, Yeşilçiçek Çalık K. Women’s Experiences and Frequency of Vaginal Examination during Labor. Clinical and Experimental Health Sciences. 2021;11:426–431.
MLA Küçük, Ebru and Kıymet Yeşilçiçek Çalık. “Women’s Experiences and Frequency of Vaginal Examination During Labor”. Clinical and Experimental Health Sciences, vol. 11, no. 3, 2021, pp. 426-31, doi:10.33808/clinexphealthsci.765157.
Vancouver Küçük E, Yeşilçiçek Çalık K. Women’s Experiences and Frequency of Vaginal Examination during Labor. Clinical and Experimental Health Sciences. 2021;11(3):426-31.

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