Hong Kong Chinese women's experiences of vaginal examinations in labour

Abstract

Objective: to explore women's experiences during vaginal examinations in labour.

Design: qualitative with phenomenological approach. Data were collected by tape-recorded open-ended interviews during the early postnatal period.

Data analysis: phenomenological hermeneutic analysis based upon Riceour's interpretation theory.

Participants: a purposive sample of eight women post-delivery who had given birth vaginally and were able to speak and read Chinese.

Setting: a maternity unit of a University affiliated District General Hospital in Hong Kong.

Key findings: women accepted the necessity for vaginal examinations, but expressed the need to be able to trust that the examiner would respect them as individuals and try to maintain their dignity, perform the examination skillfully and communicate the findings to them. Pain and embarrassment were frequently experienced during vaginal examination. Women wanted to be supported during the examination by someone they knew and trusted; they appreciated practitioners who tried to minimise their physical and psychological discomfort. Some women felt embarrassed when examined by a male doctor, but the attitude and approach of the examiner was generally found to be more important than gender.

Implications for practice: practitioners should be continuously aware of the need to show respect and consideration for the dignity of a woman undergoing vaginal examination in labour. Although this seems an obvious statement to make it is reiterated because some practitioners display insensitivity in this regard. Each woman should be treated with courtesy and respect, and her modesty protected by minimal exposure and examiners/examinations. Findings from the examination should be discussed with her. Practitioners should be aware of the cultural influences that may lead a woman to hide her pain during examination and should be alert for signs of this.