Respectful Pelvic Exams Course

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This course deeply explores the common pelvic exam and challenges students to reconsider everything they know about these intimate exams.

This course was designed for community care providers, midwives, activists, individuals, and anyone who supports people having pelvic exams and respectful pelvic care, including those doing their own!

7 Modules | FAQ | Resources

All lessons feature video lesson(s) and a written summary of content as well as relevant links, resources, and external insights. A collection of FAQ video responses and Resource links are included.

Course is evergreen, on-demand, and pre-recorded

Sample Lesson

Sample Lesson Walk-Though Lesson 3.3 CHOOSING A SPECULUM

Sample Lesson Walk-Though Lesson 3.6 PROPER POSITIONING

Free Content

In a constant effort towards financial accessibility and consuming information in multiple avenues, I make sure all my classes have key information available for free. Please see below some blog posts and resource lists available for free based on the content in the Respectful Pelvic Exams course.

Course Outline

INTRODUCTION

Lesson 0.1: Welcome and Course Introduction

  • A look at the course outline and structure

Lesson 0.2: About Me

  • A personal introduction of Molly Dutton-Kenny, your course instructor

Lesson 0.3: What to Expect in this Course

  • A look at course content, language, values, and models for teaching

CONTEXT

Lesson 1.1: Why Do We Do Pelvic Exams?

  • A look at the background behind pelvic exams and the physiologic goals of accessing the cervix and uterus via vagina during pelvic exams

Lesson 1.2: Context: Gynecology, Racism, Exploitation & Subversion

  • A look at the painful history & currency of gynecology as a tool for harm in communities, as well as subversive and supportive pelvic care

Lesson 1.3: Typical Experiences with Pelvic Exams

  • A look at how most people experience pelvic exams in a clinic setting, including common barriers to care

RESPECTFUL APPROACH

Lesson 2.1: Positive Experiences with Pelvic Exams

  • A reimagining of how pelvic exams can be positive and healing experiences, and how to take actionable steps to improv experiences

Lesson 2.2: Trauma Informed Pelvic Exams

  • A discussion on the frequency of (pelvic) trauma in people’s bodies and tender care for everyone

GETTING SET UP

Lesson 3.1: Intake & Pre-Exam Discussion

  • A look an intake questions and preparation talks with clients about what to expect with a respectful pelvic exam

Lesson 3.2: Reversing Power Differentials

  • A look at putting the power squarely back in the lap of the person receiving the pelvic exam and away from the practitioner

Lesson 3.3: Tools: Choosing a Speculum

  • A look at different sizes, styles, makes, models, and materials of speculums

Lesson 3.4: Other Tools

  • A look at selecting light, gloves, lube, pads, etc. when working with pelvic exams

Lesson 3.5: Environments

  • A look at making a comfortable and approachable setting for pelvic care

Lesson 3.6: Proper Positioning

  • Tips for helping get a pelvis into the optimal position for pelvic care

EXTERNAL

Lesson 4.1: External Anatomy

  • A look at anatomy easily visible externally, our common variations, and landmarking

Lesson 4.2: External Exam

  • Tips for doing an exam of external anatomy of the pelvis

Lesson 4.3: Discussing Findings

  • Tips for discussing what you find, don’t find, and how to talk about what you’re looking at when you’re not sure what you’re looking at.

INTERNAL

Lesson 5.1: Internal Anatomy

  • A look at internal anatomy including the cervix, uterus, ovaries, tubes, etc.

Lesson 5.2: Introducing Your Tools

  • How to talk through tool demonstrations with clients before inserting anything into their body.

Lesson 5.3: Fingers and Bimanual Exam

  • A look at using tactile feel to landmark a cervix before inserting a speculum

Lesson 5.4: Speculum Insertion & Opening

  • A look at the gentle art of opening and positioning a speculum

Lesson 5.5: Searching with a Speculum

  • A look at techniques for getting a cervix into central view when your initial opening doe not reveal a cervix in central view, tips explored.

Lesson 5.6: Sustained Time with a Speculum in Place

  • A look at comfort measures when a speculum needs to be in place for more than a few minutes

Lesson 5.7: Inserting Things Through the Cervix

  • A look at inserting things through the cervix and into the uterus in a way that honours the natural protective mechanisms of a cervix and works with its physiology

Lesson 5.8: Removing Things Through the Cervix

  • A look at technique for withdrawing things through the cervix after prior insertion

Lesson 5.9: Removing a Speculum

  • A look at comfortable removal of a speculum after prior placement

PRACTICE

Lesson 6.1: Cervical Self Exam

  • A look at examining your own cervix (if you have one) as a learning opportunity, including a demonstration and tool tips

Lesson 6.2: Community Practice

  • A look at community self-help groups and gynecological teaching associates

Lesson 6.3: Feedback from Clients

  • A look at making client feedback an integral part of your growth process as a practitioner

Lesson 6.4: Personal Reflections

  • A look at a self-practice of reflection and improvement

FAQ & Resources

Lesson 7.1: FAQ

  • Recorded video answers to submitted questions

Lesson 7.2: Resources

  • An extensive resource list of sources linked in different lessons as well as additional resources organized by subtopic.

Price for lifetime access to course.

Scholarships available on request.