Full Circle Blog:
Mind Body & Spirit, The Childbearing Year, Women's Health

Dispelling midwifery myths, one blog post at a time…

teen

Don’t midwives just deliver babies?

Often people look at me with surprise when I mention that I see non-pregnant women for gyn care and family planning. “I thought midwives just deliver babies,” they say. And I am thrilled to be able to dispel a midwifery myth by sharing my experiences with teens.

The other day Jessica* came in for an appointment with me at the urging of her mother. I could tell she was slightly embarrassed, yet she summoned her courage and composure as she asked me some questions that have been on her mind. “Why are my periods irregular?” “I think I want to try birth control… what are my options?” “I’m not sure if my vagina is normal”.

I was so happy that she asked me those questions. Unlike most people, midwives are very comfortable with questions about sexuality and body parts and fluids, and we work hard to be approachable. We especially appreciate any chance to talk with a teenage woman about her changing body, sexual questions, and health concerns. We offer a listening ear and a non-judgemental perspective to each person that comes in for a visit.

I remember my first gynecological exam. The practitioner didn’t believe me when I said I was not sexually active, and I felt embarrassed, judged and uninformed as I sat in my paper gown trying to retain some sense of dignity. Contrast that experience with that of our patients as they visit our office. Our office is warm and inviting, with beautiful pictures of mothers and children and women’s bodies on the walls. Our office has a yoga studio, a chiropractor, a physical therapist, and a beautiful shop with essential oils and herbs and holistic health books. We invite our patients into a sunlit room with comfy chairs for the initial portion of our visit, and our flowery gowns are made of soft cotton. We always tell you exactly what we are doing at each stage of the exam, and we respect your body and your comfort.

Many times a physical exam is not necessary at an appointment with a teenager, like when prescribing birth control, for example. However, when doing an exam, a midwife strives to be gentle and give the patient control by placing the speculum very slowly, and using a mirror to point out the anatomy of the vulva and vagina. Knowlege is power, and particularly our teenage patients love the knowlege we give them during our visits. And our hope is that this knowlege then empowers them to make healthy, wise choices.

So next time you hear mention of midwives, remember a teen in your life and send her our way!

*Name changed to protect confidentiality