Joy,

I can't say I enjoy going to the OB-GYN for many of the same reasons you
mentioned.  I have had a couple different docs give me exams and all were
pretty much equal.  But one thing you may want to ask for (in addition to
all the things Kat shared) is that they use a jr. speculum for the exam.  If
you are not sexually active the smaller size is more comfortable.
Definitely communicate with the nurse/doctor about your needs and what
discomfort you are feeling.  An exam should not hurt, uncomfortable yes,
hurt, no.

Another thought...I wonder if you would be able to get a vaginal ultrasound
so they could see your ovaries etc.  That is painless and it is kinda cool
to see the pictures. :)  Of course, that doesn't help with the pap smear,
but it would help see any polps or cysts.

As for finding a good dr...My experience so far has been that a midwife is
more willing to look for alternate positions and care for your comfort.
Perhaps that would help.  Or, talk to your dr. and find out who the
maternal-fetal specialist is in your local hopital or OB-GYN practice and
ask if you could see them.  The guy we have here in Lancaster is awesome and
actually does have a clue about cp since he ends up delivering all the
high-risk folks.

Linda
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joy Welan" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 10:42 PM
Subject: Re: Reproductive freedom


> Linda and everyone else,
>
> Can I ask how you found your OB-GYN?  I don't mean to gross out the guys
> on
> the list, but I just went for my first pelvic exam and pap smear this past
> winter, and it was an extremely painful and unpleasant experience.  The
> gynecologist I went to had no idea how to handle the spasticity and lack
> of
> range of motion in my legs.  I had a really hard time getting up on the
> table, and I just couldn't get in the right position, since it's really
> painful for me to move my legs away from the midline of my body.  I don't
> think I got a thorough exam, and it's not an experience I'm looking
> forward
> to repeating, but I know it's important, especially since cervical and
> ovarian cancer run in my family.  Is there some sort of resource that
> helps
> people find doctors who are knowledgeable about dealing with people with
> disabilities?  For most things I can go to a "normal" doctor, but this
> just
> didn't work out.  Any tips would be much appreciated.
>
> ~Joy~