Questions to Ask Your Obstetrician
Do you consider yourself to be a very private individual, who likes to keep her own affairs to herself and who may not want to trouble others with her issues? If so, you may feel particularly uncomfortable discussing any personal matters with anyone else and may even shy away from going to a specialist for the same reason. Yet you don't need to be embarrassed when talking with an obstetrician, as they fully understand the challenge you may be going through and have come across every problem that you're likely to encounter. Still, if you're bothered by the thought of discussing these issues with somebody else, what are some of the most pressing questions on your mind?
How to Self-Examine
Perhaps you are worried that you are not caring for yourself as much as you should and may not be conducting the proper type of self-examination. Nobody may have told you how to do a breast exam, for example, and you may not know what you're looking for. In truth, everyone is different, and no two breasts will feel or look the same. The key here, therefore, is to know what yours should look like and how they normally feel, so you can be on the lookout for anything that is abnormal.
When to Look
It's best if you conduct your self-examination just a week or so after the end of your period so your breasts won't be quite as tender as they would be otherwise. Just squeeze, touch and feel the entire area carefully, and if everything appears to be as it was the last time, then you should be okay.
Should You Have a Mammogram?
Some people think that they should have a baseline mammogram at any stage, just to be safe. Typically, you only need to think about this after you have passed the age of 40, unless you have noticed something unusual in the past or you have a close relative who had a history of breast cancer.
Is Discharge Normal?
Alternatively, you may be worried about vaginal discharge, as you think that this is not normal. On the contrary, it is something that you should expect, and it will come and go in terms of its consistency and regularity, depending on where you are in the menstrual cycle. Just be aware of it, and so long as it doesn't smell badly or cause you any discomfort, then again, you are probably okay.
Discussion
A lot of your confusion may be caused by a lack of knowledge. Don't be afraid to talk with your obstetrician, as they can help you set your mind at rest.