Im young enough where the thermometers used on me were those box type electronic ones. The nurse always held it in place. I own and use one of those today. They're expensive but very accurate and the rectal probe feels really good. I can also watch the temperature rising on the screen with the little rectal indicator flashing.~ Lillmissrectaltemp23
At 12 years old I had strep throat and was coughing a lot. I never paid much attention if it was being held in or not, but that particular time I could feel it sliding in and out when I coughed. So I looked over my shoulder and saw the nurse holding it in place like you would hold an ink pen, not touching my bottom at all. I had several other rectal temps prior to that at the doctor and hospital, but don't remember too much about details.I do recall one instance at about 5 where a digital probe, the only one I ever had used on me, was left in while the doctor left and asked my mom to come with her. It beeped and several minutes went by in my mind so I went to tell him it was done. I was scolded by the doctor for touching it and had to have it retaken and just lie there with the thermometer in my butt, while he talked business with my mom in his office. We never went back to that doctor, my mom didn't like him.
@lorraine walkerwhy did your father do that? i think accurate temps need to be left still and in place. seems a bit odd. how old were you?
Mom held it in place until I was 6, than after that she just slid it in there and sometimes even left the room while it registered.
As far as I remember, my mother used to hold it when she took my RT.In my own case, when I shave or brush my teeth and at the same time take my RT standing up, I leave the thermometer sticking out.Same thing when my girlfriend and I record our temperature when having sex, we usually leave the thermometers in our respective rectums sticking out, Sometime we may play with them as part of the love-making.In my opinion, if the thermometer is well inserted, and especially if you use little or no lube, the risk of the thermometer to fall is very limited.~ Lillmissrectaltemp23
Over Mom's knee, it was always held in. When I was older and was in bed on my tummy, she just left it in sticking out.
My pediatrician always held the thermometer in. Itwas usually taken in the diaper position.When my mom took my temeperature I had to ie over her knees but she also held it in
At the doctor's,I always had to take my shoes off,hop on the exam table,pull my pants down and lay on my stomach.Then the secretary would come shaking down the thermometer,dipped it in a jar of Vaseline,spread my cheeks very wide then stuck it in about half the length of the thermometer.Then she'd leave for the 5 minutes while my mom kept an eye on me with it sticking out.Later on it was my babysitter who watched me.At home,my mom did it the same way as the secretary at my doctor's office.Sometimes my babysitter would take me over her knee to do it and when she did she'd hold it.I could feel her twirl it,that felt good.
Normally the thermometer was left in place without being held, as I recall. Once when I was about five the doctor made a housecall. He pulled down my shorts (which is all I was wearing because I had felt so hot), had me turn around, and slid the thermometer into my little bottom. Then he pulled my shorts up snugly which I presume was to hold it in place while he chatted with my parents, both sitting on the sofa across the room. My personal preference now is to hold it in place tho. A good chance for a feel of soft, smooth bottom cheeks.
My mother was generally the one to take my temperature, and she always held the thermometer while it registered. Hard to explain to someone who only grew up with digital thermometers how different the rectal-temperature-taking experience with glass thermometers was. I would lie on my stomach for as long as five minutes while my mother secured the thermometer between two of her fingers (like a cigarette, which she never smoked) while cupping my bottom.
Mine was always left sticking out, but my mom was sitting in my bed, so if the thermometer started to "go out" then she gently inserted it deeper inside me. So it never slipped out of me 😃
I've never had mine taken by anyone else but me, but when I take one I always hold it in place, just out of paranoia that it could break or get (somehow) sucked in. I've never had a complaint though.
Always held in. Mum cupped her hand over my bum, the thermo between fingers ( I couldn't see, so I don't know which ones ). And this was regardless of position.. laying on back, OTK, laying on tummy, laying on side, bending over... I got to be in all of those and some I have forgotten, I'm sure. I am happy that she didn't carry a thermo in her purse, although I understand that some women do...
Held in place. I remember at the doctor's the nurse would have me turn over and lower my underpants to my knees, then shake down and lubricate the thermometer and slowly insert it. She would then hold it between her fingers, one hand resting on my bottom while her other hand would be lightly pressing on by back.
Always hold the thermometer in place and hold the patient so they will not wiggle and shake their bottom.