Doctor upset me and now don't know what to do!

[Skillbo]

I have seen a few threads on here about insensitive advice from doctors so I apologise if I am going over old ground but would really appreciate any advice anyone has.

Have just been to my doctors surgery about the fact that three months after giving birth, I am still bleeding. I am on the micro pill which can cause this, I believe. This is the second visit, both to male doctors.

The first just swapped which pill I was taking to a stronger one which seemed fair enough. However, the bleeding has actually got worse now so I went again (the way my doctors works is you phone up in the morning and its potluck as to which doctor is in and can see you etc).

This doctor said that it wasn't unreasonable for me to still be bleeding, even heavily, and that as I was breastfeeding that I should accept that this will probably continue for at least 6 months. He then went on to tell me that I should wean my DD then as there is no nutrition she can get from me at that point that she can't get from formula, she'll have all the antibodies she needs and if I continue, she'll get the taste and never want a bottle! He then told me to put 'stop nail biting' stuff on my nipples! I asked if he thought it was possible that I could have an infection and he asked if I was itchy. As I'm not, he said I was fine (I kind of wanted him to swab anyway). I was a bit , so just said thanks and left but on the walk home realised how much he'd upset me - so I should just put up with bleeding or wean my daughter ... there is no other way.

What would you do? Should I just put up with this or are there other methods of contraception (other than condom) which could stop the bleeding? Should I phone my doctors in the morning and ask to see a lady doctor... as mentioned, the bleeding actually seems to be heavier and it is worrying me!

Thanks for your help ladies - shed a small tear on the walk home and not sure what to do next!

[MrsFawlty]

GPs should not tell you to stop BF. Mine did the same and I wrote a complaint. Can you see a more clued up woman doctor?

I'm sure someone with good advice will be along soon...

[Tommy]

I don't know about the bleeding - sorry - but he knows didly squat about breastfeeding

Can you phone the sexual health clinic re the contraception? I've always found them very helpful.

[geordieminx]

No real advice but am that he told you to put nail biting solution on your nipples. IMO he is completely out of order. Can yo ring tomorrow and ask for an appointment with a female doctor? Your a re perfectly within your rights

[Littlefish]

Oh poor you. Sounds like very poor advice, and a horrible manner.

I would phone the surgery and ask to see a female doctor instead.

Ignore all the crap he spouted about breastfeeding! Tell him to put some nailbiting suff on his dick to stop him being such a cock .

If you feel strong enough, contact your midwife team and find out the PCT policy on breastfeeding - you may well find that what he said contravenes the policy. Also, print out all the WHO stuff on breastfeeding recommendations and hand deliver it to him!

[weegiemum]

I would be pushing for some investigation about the bleeding. This is not normal and not caused by bf, as far as I am aware.

His advice to stop bf is just - but I'm not shocked cos it is the kind of crappy advice you get all the time form loads of hps (I got the same from my hv).

Ask to see another doc, or change practices!!

[tiktok]

Skilbo - I echo the comments about this doctor's manner and his knowledge.

Dreadful stuff.

You need further advice about the bleeding. It's not normal to be bleeding in this way. You need to see another doctor.

Is your HV good? Perhaps she can help?

[weegiemum]

While I was typing to you I was also talking to dh (he's a work and was calling as has been offered an overnight shift tonight - he's a GP!)

He says - complain, complain, complain.

This GP is plainly negligent, advising you to stop bf and he was at the nail biting stuff on your nipples.

If you were his patient, he would be referring you fairly swiftly to see a gynae if the bleeding is getting worse, and would ask them to review contraception with you as they know a lot more about it than he does! He said he'd have to look up alternatives to the POP, but if you can't get anyone else to do it, he will (he doesn't do a lot of gynae/FP as there is a female doc in the practice who does most of that).

But you really should complain about the bf advice.

[nickytwotimes]

What an utter arse of a doc.
Of course you should continue bfing! The WHO recommend 2 years, what makes him think he knows better?
I know nothing about the bleeding either, but it will surely make you anaemic? And he should have checked for infection ffs. COmplain, definitely. ANd get a second opinion from someone who has a clue.
Fwiw, me and dh used condoms after ds and they are great!

[belgo]

Poor you Skillbo - and verging n negligence that this doctor is not investigating your bleeding. Bleeding three months after birth, and getting heavier, is really not normal and this needs to be properly investigated by a gynaecologist.

And totally shocked about the crap bfing advice.

[lilysam]

I'm stunned and horrified at the advice you have been given. Stop bfing cos she'll never get the taste for formula or want a bottle...WTF!!! Nail biting solution on your nipples - is the guy mad!!!

As for the bleeding i would have thought it was completely unreasonable to be bleeding for up to 3-6 months. Is your health visitor any good?? I'd try and get another appointment with a different GP, and speak to your HV and complain about the information you have been given......(unless a GP wants to come on here and say the advice is correct??) Also tell the next GP you see the advice you were given.

Sounds utter garbage to me!

[Skillbo]

Thank you all so much for your support and advice... I thought it all sounded a little bit off but it's good to know it's not just me.

I think I will try again in the morning and see a lady doctor and mention her colleagues advice that way. Hopefully, she will refer me on and if not, I need to get tough and demand it I guess.

Have also spoken with my DP since posting and he's all for moving to condoms in case it is the pill causing it. I will get it checked regardless though, methinks!

I'm pleased re your comments on the bf as I really don't want to have to stop as I enjoy it and from reading multiple posts on here, I'm sure I'm doing the best thing for my DD.

Thanks again - feeling much better

[CMOTdibbler]

I was still bleeding at 12 weeks - as it turned out I had a tiny piece of placenta left behind and when it came away the bleeding stopped.

GP offered me a couple of options to stop the bleeding, and as I was intending to have a Mirena fitted and needed to have swabs etc for that, the FP clinic did it all those, and advised that the Mirena was good at stopping the bleeding anyway.

I would absolutely complain about your GP