Emma was quite used to taking good care of herself. It had been just over a year since her last "female" physical, something she prided herself on doing every year. Having recently transferred from Keene, New Hampshire to the warmer climate of Mobile, Alabama, she needed to locate new medical care. Opening the phone book, she flipped through the yellow pages to the Obstetrics and Gynecological physicians listed. She wrote down the first three names and numbers and closed the book.
The first name on the list was Dr. Aames, OB/Gyn. Carefully she pressed the numbers on the phone. A pleasant woman answered the call and gave Emma a quick overview of services and prices and insurance procedures. Emma asked a few routine questions and decided to schedule an appointment. Her appointment was in the late afternoon, by her own request.
On the appointment day, Emma left work about an hour early, giving her enough time to arrive about 15 minutes before the scheduled time. She knew from experience that there was always paperwork to be filled out. As expected Emma was asked to complete several pieces of paper handed to her on a clipboard. She took her time and answered each item honestly and accurately. When completed she handed the clipboard back to the lady behind the glass. Emma also handed her the insurance card, so the woman could make copies. She waited a few moments for the woman to ensure all the questions were answered and then for the insurance information to be copied. Once she was handed her card back, she took a seat and quietly waited.
Ten minutes passed and Emma was left sitting alone in the waiting area, as all the other patients were scheduled ahead of her. Another five minutes and the anxiety began to set in. Emma, like most women, never "looked forward" to these check-ups. With tension beginning to well in Emma's stomach, she reached for a magazine to help her relax. She found an article of interest and delved into reading it. Time ticked by without her noticing it. It had been nearly 45 minutes since her arrival, when she was finally called back. As she rose from her seat, she noticed most of the office lights were dimmed or turned off. This left a curious thought in her head.
She followed the nurse back to the exam rooms. The nurse weighed and measured her and noted the figures on her chart. Then she led Emma into room 212 and gave her the standard paper gown and a sheet to cover up with once on the exam table. Room 212 was different than Emma had expected. It seemed cold and sterile unlike the facilities she was accustomed in her home of New Hampshire. The first thing she noticed was the exam table being made of stainless steel with a flimsy "mattress pad" carefully placed on top and covered with medical paper and large side pieces and rollers like on a gurney. Emma had never seen a table like this, but definitely recognized the stirrups of all GYN tables, this table also had side panels that held legs open and apart for child birthing. The walls were white and the lights were terribly bright. Naturally there were cabinets and small wash basin, the standard counter tops as with all doctors' offices, and a stainless steel sink, larger than Emma was used to seeing. Much seemed new, but she was in the south now and had to expect "differences," well didn't she? Quietly the nurse exited the room and left Emma to undress and put the gown on.
About 7 or 8 minutes went by and a soft knock came at the door. Emma acknowledged the knock and the door opened. This time it was not the nurse, but a gentleman, presumed to be Dr. Aames. He introduced himself to Emma and asked her forgiveness for taking so long. The doctor was steadily gathering items from around the room as he was speaking. He had gone to the hospital to do an emergency c-section, twin girls, all was fine. Emma smiled and relaxed as his story unfolded. Finally, Dr. Aames sat down on the stool at the side of the exam table. He looked over Emma's chart and asked her about her female medical history and about her sexuality (as Emma silently thought β what sex life). She answered the best she could. This being her first time with this doctor she was naturally apprehensive and uncomfortable speaking of her intimacies. His voice was soft and kind and enabled her to relax a little, well what little you can on a metal table.