Why is the prone position so popular for rectal temperatures?

I feel the vast majority report here that their rectal temperature was taken in the prone position. I am a bit surprised by that because it is effortless to keep the butt tight. I was always lying on the (left) site, and only later I realized this is a much better choice. Depending on how far the legs/knees are bent, the buttocks are at least relaxed, perhaps even spread open. So, in a sense, it achieves the same as the diaper position but is far less humiliating. What makes the prone position so popular for RT?

Tradition maybe. That's the most common way it's been done by moms and medical personnel for decades. Second, in my view, no other position quite shows off a nice bottom to such great effect. It's good for control of a patient who may not want to fully cooperate. Dominance is demonstrated as you stand above the patient. It's easy to move to the next step which might be an injection or suppository. The only position coming close in my opinion is OTK

Seems logical if you were already in bed, rolling to your side would be convenient. If the patient wants to resist, they can clench their butt in either position so I don’t see that as a factor. If you’re up and around, prone would be quick and dirty, lay down, pull clothing aside.

For adults, all fours (head down butt up) seems the most visual, butt even then one can still resist and clench.

For me, it was the first position used at home and by a nurse for my exams. It subsequently switched to turning onto my side as I matured into becoming a teen and then adult. I don't think the position had very much to do with resistance as I was usually compliant but sad to have i taken rectally. I will say this much, lying prone inevitably resulted in my developing an erection and that could prove problematic unless done for play. I think lying on my side, and believe that this may be true for males in general, was less likely to result in an ejaculation. It would be helpful to hear more in this regard.

I will say this much, lying prone inevitably resulted in my developing an erection and that could prove problematic unless done for play. I think lying on my side, and believe that this may be true for males in general, was less likely to result in an ejaculation. It would be helpful to hear more in this regard.

The prone position would offer some pressure on the penis and the opportunity to subtlety “hump” the mattress. Maybe for someone going through puberty.

For me as a child the position was always on the lap of the one who took my temperature (mother, aunt, grandmother, older sister). I think it is the most beautiful position of all, especially if the woman taking the temperature is wearing a short skirt with light tights or bare legs

I never had my rectal temperature taken in the prone position. The earliest memories I have of getting my rectal temperature taken was when a nurse took it at the doctor's office. She always took it in the diaper position. She crossed my ankles to keep me still. Later memories I recall lying on my side. Either way, it felt a little uncomfortable because nurses stuck thermometers up your butt a lot further in the 70s than they do now days.

As an adult with a RT fetish, it’s the most helpless submissive position that hearkens back to one’s childhood. If it was never experienced as a child, it’s simply a submissive revealing position.

It more than likely stems from a safety precaution for children in a clinical setting. It’s the easiest position in which to restrain an unruly resisting child by pinning them with a single hand to their back. It also gives the taker more time to take charge of the situation should the young patient decide to unpredictably and suddenly roll onto their back causing injury to themself with a protruding rectal thermometer.

I know I certainly felt helpless while facedown and drooling on the exam paper as a toddler.

I honestly think based on my adult experience it's because if the person tries to force it out (I didn't always want a RT) you're in a good position to make sure it stays in....

99% of time mom or gram, as well as my doctor’s nurse always took my temp prone ie on my tummy. It’s pretty much all i recall as a kid. 🌡️🧴🧻

It's clearly evident that the prone, or tummy position, as people prefer to call it, is the preferred position for those who are into rectal temperature taking as a form of erotic play. I suppose I'm in the minority because I have always preferred the side position. When I was a kid, up to about age nine, my rectal temperature was always taken while lying in bed on my side with my knees bent up. This was at home. Unfortunately, I have no recollection at all of how my temperature was taken at the doctor's office as a kid. When I began to experiment with taking my own rectal temperature as a teen, I always was on my side. When I turned 18 in 1980 and met my first man, I always took his rectal temperature while he was lying on his side. Maybe only a few times, I did it to him while he was on his back with his legs pulled up, or on his tummy, or in the knee-chest position, or with him kneeling at his bedside. With all the men I've met subsequently over the years, at least 50 or more, I always took their temperatures with them lying on their side. I think the side position emphasizes the sexiness and shapely roundness of a man's ass and it is the position that arouses me the most, especially with a glass thermometer sticking out from between those sexy man globes. But that's not to say that I wouldn't try other positions to take a guy's rectal temperature or to have mine taken, especially the tummy position which most guys seem to favor. A man's ass is attractive to me regardless of which position I'm viewing it.

It probably follows tradition, because it’s easier to have physical control over the patient, if it’s a squirming, or uncooperative child who’s trying to resist. Personally, I think it adds to the sexiness, when taken on a woman, during assplay. It’s easier to get a better view of everything, and it’s generally more comfortable to lie on your stomach, than having to twist your body around, placing your weight on your shoulders and arm.

Other than one time , every temp I ever got growing up was on my tummy. To me, it makes the most sense for the nurse or parent who is taking the temperature, particularly on older children. It allows the person to get a clear view of the anus, as the thermometer is being inserted, without the taker having to lean over to see. They just have to spread the buttocks apart. They’re in a stable position, with no risk of them accidentally rolling over on to the thermometer, as there could be laying on their side. I’ve never liked the diaper position, because the legs have to be held up the full 3-5 minutes, which is uncomfortable. A child on his tummy at the pediatrican’s has no risk of accidentally rolling of the narrow exam table if theyre prone as well. I never really fought getting my temperature taken as a child. I could lay quietly, safely, and comfortably on my tummy,with the thermometer in my tush with no issue. My mom sometimes could even leave the room for a few minutes while the thermometer was registering with no concern that I would accidentally break it or anything.

Especially at the doctor, the rectal temperature procedure is not only to check the temperature, but also to examin the anus, spincter, anal surroundings and perineal muscular state. The prone position gives the best opportunity to check the whole of the butt area.

As a child my temperature was not checked in that position though. I lay on my back or at a side, but they allways spread me open, so that everything in my perineal area got visible. It was done by flexing and spreading my legs, by spreading my cheeks apart, and by spreading my anus so that the inside mucosa got visible. Sometimes also my perineal status got checked with an inserted finger. At home mostly my father did all of this, with my mother standing behind and discussing.

Very interesting topic. Could it be possible that in hospital or in outpatient prone position for rectal temps have been chosen because the thermometer does not slip out so easily in that position? 'Cause most times no one held the thermometer in place during all the registering time. Another fact could be that in prone position a buttock injection can be placed directly afterwards (or in my case even during RT).

I have always had my rectal temperature taken this way as long as I can remember going back to my earliest childhood memories and continuing to today. As stated, it is effortless and comfortable, so much so, it never really bothered me up until I was about 5 or 6. All I had to do was roll over on my belly and the caregiver did everything else. Once the thermometer was inserted, I was always told to hold still (it seemed like more than once if I moved a single muscle) and was called a good little boy when I cooperated. When I didn't hold still I was warned if the thermometer broke it meant going to the hospital and surgery. I was so scared of going to the hospital after a traumatic experience, I usually held still as a statue while the thermometer was in my rear end. For a few years after that surgery, I was afraid to be in that position because I didn't want to get a (usually painful) needle back there.

I think it has to be because it won’t come out as easily and doesn’t require the temperature taker to hold it in place for the three to five minutes?

I’ve had it prone on my stomach without it having to be held in place but if I was on my side, in the diaper position or bending over a desk someone always had to hold the thermometer in place.

As an adult with a RT fetish, it’s the most helpless submissive position that hearkens back to one’s childhood. If it was never experienced as a child, it’s simply a submissive revealing position.

It more than likely stems from a safety precaution for children in a clinical setting. It’s the easiest position in which to restrain an unruly resisting child by pinning them with a single hand to their back.

I know I certainly felt helpless while facedown and drooling on the exam paper as a toddler.

@arttemp I had the same experience of having to put my hands behind my back because the nurse thought I was fidgeting. This then became so deeply engraved in my subconscious that from then on I always did it myself and also demanded it from my patients when playing doctor.

As a youngster, that was pretty much the way I had it done.

When I had it taken or still have it taken as an adult I preferred/,prefer to be on my stomach for the procedure, from having my underwear pulled down, feeling my cheeks being spread to the lubricating of my anal opening and insertion of the thermometer; all making me appreciate I was /am being submissive and compliant.

My temperature growing up was always taken rectally. Me laying on my tummy

Maybe because a prone creature has disadvantage on attack rolls while attack rolls against a prone creature have advantage 😉

Stupid D&D jokes aside, I wasn't even aware that the prone position was an option before I found this site.

I knew about people taking their temp while on their side.

I myself have only ever had mine taken in the diaper change position as a child and for me personally, that's still the way to go.