Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

AIBU?

AIBU regarding postnatal check up?

19 replies

Shellywelly1973 · 12/03/2014 22:56

I gave birth 5 weeks ago.

I received an appointment for dd to have her 6 week developmental check.

In the letter from my GP, it makes it very clear that the appointment is only for the baby. It says if i want or need to see a GP relating to pregnancy/ child birth / contraception, 'to simply book a standard appointment'.

I have an underactive thyroid. It took a week to speak to a gp let alone see one. It's nearly impossible to get an appointment at the best of times, let alone with a newborn to deal with as well.

I really feel mothers should be offered an appointment at the same time as the baby's check, just like they used to. If mothers don't require or want their own appointment, they can turn it down.

I need to see the gp but i know i will leave it as i really don't have the time or energy to get another appointment- let alone actually get to the surgery for a second appointment.

Aibu? Lack of sleep & hormones make me doubt my own judgement!

OP posts:

Report

ilikebaking · 12/03/2014 22:59

You are being unreasonable in the sense you wont book yourself an appointment.
Get your husband to take a half day holiday, take the baby, book an appointment for two weeks time and get it done.
Or, call for an emergency app, receptionist cant legally ask you what it is for.

EverythingsDozy · 12/03/2014 23:01

That's strange because the 6 week check here is for mum and baby.
I was asked to get up on the bed and have a feel of my squidgy tummy and asked how I was feeling etc.

Bogeyface · 12/03/2014 23:05

Try ringing your HV. If you tell her what the issue is and ask her then she may be able to arrange an appointment for at the same time, especially if she is attached to the surgery as ours is.

If not then I would be inclined to just tell the GP about it during the babys check. Appointments are like hens teeth at my doctors so I feel your pain, but moaning about it and then not doing anything to try and deal with it does make YU.

Shellywelly1973 · 12/03/2014 23:06

No dh or dp.
To get an emergency appointment you speak to the gp between 330 & 4 pm. I don't get back from school runs til 430.

I'm back to work in 2 weeks so will be very difficult to get to the surgery. In the last 5 years I've been to my GP once, to request blood tests for my thyroid.

My point being if you have to attend the surgery for the baby, it would make sense for the opportunity to be available for the mother to speak to the gp regarding herself.

OP posts:

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 12/03/2014 23:06

I had a joint appointment at 8 weeks for me and DS.

Who's looking after your thyroid? I'm underactive too and was told a relapse is possible after birth. Yabu to not make an appointment.

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 12/03/2014 23:11

It's not offered at my surgery either. After my first I had a really bad and then ripped open episiotomy cut, blood clot under it and an infection, not having a 6 week check and checking everything was starting to heal probably attributed to the womb infection I then had at about 6-8 weeks.

Second I lost 2 litres of blood and had a blood transfusion, manual removal of placenta under GA, felt really ill for ages afterwards, I still wasn't offered a 6 week check!

Not offering this is really bad Imo, it's at least a 2 week wait for an appointment at my GP surgery, with some problems it's not easy to wait, not suitable for OOH and inappropriate for A+E.

whereisshe · 12/03/2014 23:11

I had to make all the appointments myself (DD's 6 week check, my postnatal check, DD's jabs...). I assumed that was normal?

Shellywelly1973 · 12/03/2014 23:14

GP is as I've been discharged from the hospital. No endocrinological referrals for uncomplicated thyroid problems. I had blood tests 3 weeks after the birth. I have the forms to have the next lot of bloods in 3 weeks

Results and thyroxine changes are dealt with over the phone. Normally that's fine. I don't want to go to the doctors unless necessary.

OP posts:

Silkyandmoonface · 12/03/2014 23:15

In our area we still have the 6 week check at the same time as baby's check up-though I still had to take DH as I wanted to speak to the dr about some issues with scarring and knew I wouldn't be able to concentrate if I had dd with me. it meant he could give her a cuddle whilst I was seen.

Do they do it for that reason perhaps? So you are seen to properly rather than rushing out to see to baby?

Mrswellyboot · 12/03/2014 23:17

I had my check with the baby but, to be honest, it was rushed. Probably better to have be on your own. That said, without support etc. they should make allowances for you.

Emubaby · 12/03/2014 23:17

I had a 6 week check up but I made the appointment myself, Hv reminded me to do so. My dd had an 8 week check which included her first jabs.
I have heard that most places around here do a joint check at 8 weeks though.

Shellywelly1973 · 12/03/2014 23:17

I doubt it Silky... its probably just about reducing costs!

OP posts:

bobot · 12/03/2014 23:28

TBH, they're pretty pointless anyway, just a list of standard questions, and after the first child I didn't go to mine. I always thought that if I had any concerns I'd book an appointment.

Musicaltheatremum · 12/03/2014 23:40

No need for check unless having problems to be honest. We are trying to reorganise our 6 week checks as thy don't need to be done. Babies are done at 6 weeks but not mums. National shortage of GPs and unrealistic expectations to cover problems

Shellywelly1973 · 12/03/2014 23:42

bobot I remember with dc1 the postnatal appointment was awful... Full physical examination. That was many years ago but now it seems we get the bare minimum of care.

My concerns aren't urgent but it would be practical to deal with them sooner rather than later.

OP posts:

BirthdayMuppet · 12/03/2014 23:51

Eight years ago my 6 wk check consisted of a large number of questions as to my wellbeing, a stomach palpation, a blood pressure check, weight check, urine dip, contraception advice etc, the works. Six years ago it was "How are you feeling? Everything okay? Good. See you at the next jabs" - less than a minutes conversation!

Shellywelly1973 · 13/03/2014 00:00

Things change so much in just a couple of years, never mind the 24 years between my youngest & oldest dc!

Good point Birthday and that's all most people need. There are occasions when you do need some medical advice following childbirth & it should be easily accessed.

I've set my alarm for 5.55am two mornings this week so I can call the automated booking system...still no available appointments!

OP posts:

Sangelina · 13/03/2014 05:04

Just book a double appointment. Very simple.

Musicaltheatremum · 13/03/2014 16:27

We have changed the way we do our 6 week checks. The babies are all done in one big clinic and we ask the mum to book an appointment if she needs or wants one. Some 2nd and 3rd times mums don't want one. They are fine. It is certainly not to reduce costs but to try and free up appointments for other people because we are so incredibly busy and the birth rate where we are is one of he highest in the whole city. Mums don't need to be seen at 6 weeks they can be seen at any time before or after and should probably come by 4 weeks for contraceptive advice.

Flip

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.