GP displaying family photos, children's pictures dedicated to 'daddy' or 'mummy'

Indeed, I had therapy after miscarriage number 5 at a service that specialised in miscarriage and infertility and the therapist was visibly pregnant.
FORTUNATELY my 7th pregnancy stuck and I stopped the therapy but I don't think I could have continued with her

YABU they could be adopted for all you know.

How does she manage to walk down the street then?

I think it’s an absurd thing to get upset over. The world can’t remove anything and everything child related just so that she doesn’t get upset.
I worked in a bank and all my colleagues with kids displayed pictures of their family on their desks. Would I do that- no; but only because I’m too private.

GP's work long hours often not seeing their kids much and if having pictures of their kids and drawings up they can look at through the day makes them happy then so be it! Doctors are also human and have families and they shouldn't be expected to hide that part of themselves because it might upset someone, maybe they need those items to get through the day in a job that at times can be very difficult

As other pp have said, we need to learn how to deal with are feelings.

its difficult overcoming grief and having reminders that other people don’t perceive to have that grief is hard.

Gently, this is loss clouding your judgement and I get it. I've had 2 miscarriages, a stillbirth and a neonatal death [twins] in the last three years. I remember feeling so sensitive about these things but the reality is....people dont stop for other people's grief and that's a healthy thing too as you do have to keep going forward and find a new way of coping with triggers. When my twin babies died, I had to remind myself none of these things were personal.

Sorry for your previous losses.

Sad as it is OP (I’ve had three micarriages too…all late ones over 28 weeks) you and your friend are being very unreasonable.

Our grief is ours to bear. Other people do not have to tread on eggshells for fear of upsetting or offending ‘someone’…where would this end? Do we never grow our hair in case we upset cancer patients? Do we never drive our new expensive car in case we upset those who can’t even afford to get a bus? Never point out the stunning view because the blind can’t see it?

Can you see how ridiculous this is?

Of babies conceived via fertility treatment. To give hope.

Do you realise how many photos of babies there are in fertility clinics?

In a fertility clinic yes it’s insensitive. In a GP office no because the reality is people have children and children are everywhere. You don’t know what the GPs experience of conceiving was or what their life situation is

I think this a classic case of looking for things to be offended about.

I don’t have personal photos in my office. The reason is purely one of privacy. I keep my private life private. However I do not care one bit what others do. Your friend is being ridiculous. Other people have children. Plenty of irresponsible people have children with many different people- fact. Fertility has nothing At all do with ability to patent- nothing. Your friend needs to accept this unfair reality.
If she feels this strongly she could always train to become a doctor herself and set her own example.

The entitlement is breathtaking. GP’s shouldn’t be allowed to personalise their own workspace in case it upsets their patients ? You don’t care about the comfort or the well being of the person who is in charge of your healthcare ? The self indulgent navel gazing displayed on MN lately is bonkers.

I'm sorry but the world doesn't stop because someone has had miscarriages. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the GP and of course they are entitled to have family photos on display, as many as they want.

Where would this end otherwise?

@Ilovepastafortea if your friend is struggling this much, I suggest that she gets professional support. The Miscarriage Association could be helpful to speak to. It’s too easy to focus on something trivial rather than dealing with the huge sense of grief and loss that she must be feeling. Deep down she knows that the GP has done absolutely nothing wrong by having photos of his DC on display.

This is a reasonable summary of why yabu
of course fertility issues are a terrible tragic concern
but the gp will also being seeing people who may have issues because they have children. Their children may have health concerns, the parents may feel overwhelmed. They might feel the gp can help them more as they can relate. Just as for example I currently appreciate the advice of those with elderly parents as they may understand my current stresses. The gp revealing more of their personal life will likely help more than hinder their patients
but again though, you have my strong sympathies

Get a grip, seriously.

How does she know that they are her GP's children? For all she knows, they may be adopted or fostered, or born as a result of artificial insemination.

With every respect. - and I say this having had two miscarriages myself - surely every time you go out and see women with babies and toddlers, plus other family groups, you are reminded of the fact that other people are able to have healthy children. You can't expect people to hide away their families.

Your friend, unspeakably hard though it is for her, is being ridiculous. Other people cannot hide the fact that they have children from the childless. Other people's lives don't revolve around her. You could make this case about pretty much any tragedy or misfortune to befall someone else. And it would be wrong - we can't go on in this way, constantly afraid of triggering someone else.

I don’t think it’s insensitive in this context as a GP deals with lots of medical issues and it’s photos of his kids, not a sonogram or something directly related to pregnancy.

But there’s no way I would work in a public facing job and have photos of my kids for all to see. I would see it as a safeguarding risk for someone who deals with people with MH issues

I’ve had 4 losses total, 1 being a still birth and couldn’t imagine getting upset about this. YABU. Life moves on and other people have their own lives.

Some people's hobby is looking for things to be upset about, which I think is pretty sad

Your friend is being very very very unreasonable

initially I read your post and thought oh come on, everything offends everyone these days but actually on seconds thought I think you’re right. It’s unprofessional and too revealing about his personal life and yes it is insensitive to people, not only those with issues relating to fertility, it could be upsetting for many. Children in the care system, bereaved people etc. The gp office should be a blank slate, dedicated solely to the patient. Not about the gp’s comfort or wellbeing.