Your first appointment with the gynaecologist

Your first appointment with the gynaecologist

What to expect on your first appointment with the gynaecologist?

A first appointment usually begins with a conversation; what kind of complaints do you have and what is the reason of your referral. Your gynaecologist will also have questions about your general health, your menstruation and your vaginal discharge.

An internal examination is a regular part of the consultation. For this part a speculum, a duckbill-shaped device, is inserted into the vagina. If necessary, a Pap smear can be done.

An indispensable part of the gynaecology is the ultrasound. With the help of the ultrasound the gynaecologist can get a good view of the ovaries and uterus.

The gynaecological ultrasound can be performed in two ways:

• Transabdominal (through the abdomen), this is rarely done
• Transvaginal (through the vagina), a long, thin transducer is inserted into the vagina

For the vaginal ultrasound the doctor asks you to sit in the gynaecological chair with your feet and legs supported, without clothes on the lower body.

A sheath is put on the thin transducer with lubricant to make the insertion go smoothly.

The gynaecologist uses a vaginal ultrasound because the transducer of the vaginal ultrasound is closer to the uterus and ovaries than a transabdominal ultrasound. The image is sharper and more details can be seen.

Most women do not find this examination painful. Some women may have issues with a vaginal ultrasound, for example because they are still a virgin or because of an unpleasant experience in the past. Whatever the reason may be, you can always discuss it with your gynaecologist.

Tips for your first appointment:

• Having a period does not affect the examination, unless you need to get a Pap smear. If you feel more comfortable to come another time, you can postpone the appointment.
• Are you coming in for a smear? Please do not use a vaginal shower gel 24 hours before your appointment.
• Please go to the toilet just before the examination. The examination is much more comfortable with an empty bladder.
• You have to undress from the waist down for this examination. If you prefer, you can wear a skirt or a dress. That way you only have to take off your tights and underwear.
• There is a possibility that you experience some blood loss after the examination. Please keep that in mind with choosing your underwear. You will receive a sanitary napkin from us if necessary.
• Always indicate if you experience the examination as annoying or painful.

Important notes for your first appointment

If you have been referred, you should bring a referral note from your GP, your ID and your health insurance card with you when you visit our clinic for the first time. We are legally obliged to check these documents. We would also appreciate it if you bring a list with you of the medication you are taking. If you have no referral from your GP, for example, because you want a gynaecological check-up, you do not need to bring the abovementioned documents with you.

The gynaecology department of Wetering Medical Center works in accordance with the guidelines of the Dutch Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology. For more information about disorders, treatments and possible side effects, visit the NVOG site.

Only for gynaecology patients with natura insurance with VGZ* we have to charge a co-payment. For all appointments within a DBC with an effective date after January 1, 2024, VGZ reimburses only part of the bill and the rest of the costs, depending on the policy 20% to 40%, must be paid by the patient himself.

*The following insurers also fall under VGZ: IZA, Nedasco, UMC, Univé, Zekur and UnitedConsumers.

More information on DBCs can be found here