Via Women’s Health News (a very useful blog maintained by medical librarian Rachel Walden), I learned of My OB said WHAT?!?. This site tracks appalling, offensive, and a few downright abusive things OB-GYN practitioners have said to their patients. A few examples:
“…Because your cervix is lousy.” -OB to mom not in labor at 40 weeks, explaining why an induction is necessary, after a vaginal exam indicated no dilation.
“Holy Sheep Shit, Batman!” -OB Specialist to mother after reading a late third trimester ultrasound documenting the baby’s head measurements.
“I give all women episiotomies so it looks prettier down there.” -OB to patient who stated she didn’t want an episiotomy.
Strictly speaking, this isn’t menstruation news. But the misogyny, disrespect for patients, and objectification of women’s bodies documented here is certainly connected to the attitudes toward menstruation and menstrual etiquette we’ve written about here at re:Cycling. As Ms. Walden wrote in linking to this site, I wish these stories were fictional but sadly suspect they’re for real.
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These stories aren’t just real, they’re normal. And they’re not only misogynistic, but they’re ageist and heterosexist. In interviews I have had numerous menopausal women tell me about how their OB-GYNs have told them that their uterus, cervix, vaginal walls, etc., looked “used” or “worn” or “old,” for instance. The idea that there is a “normal” body part at all is what we need to work against….