On October 31, 2016 I went into preterm labour at 35 weeks gestation. We rushed to our local hospital, where labour was confirmed after multiple tests and exams (including pelvic exams).
Upon arrival at the hospital, I was examined further, drugs were administered to halt labour, and I was put under the care of Dr. Bremer for overnight surveillance to ensure labour had indeed stopped. Dr. Bremer's care was very brusque from the start, but prior to discharging me the afternoon of November 1st, she performed a pelvic exam.
Never has anyone treated me like she did! I have been the victim of sexual assault in the past, and even that did not compare to how Dr. Bremer treated me or how it made me feel.
I repeatedly asked her to stop the exam, give me a moment, etc., all of which she ignored. She continued forcefully with the exam, while I cried and writhed in agony.
I felt violated and humiliated by a "health care practitioner" who was entrusted with caring for me during a very stressful time in my pregnancy, and not only was she unsympathetic, but she crossed the line of indecency, essentially raping me with the speculum.
I am petite, and due to suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum throughout my pregnancy, I did not gain any weight. My bump was tiny, and I got a lot of judgement and jealousy from other pregnant women. Dr. Bremer was pregnant at the time, and while I can't say for sure that the incident had anything to do with us both being pregnant, I sometimes wonder if her pregnancy hormones got in the way of her caring for me properly and listening to my needs.
Submitted by S.P.
