Any ideas for dd's medical appointments?

[ChooChooCho]

Hi everyone, just looking for a little advice.

My DD has had a lot of medical appointments since birth, for a ongoing condition and for investigations. My "problem" is, like a lot of young children (I imagine) she absolutely hates them. The usual process is a quick chat, examination, then in depth chat. When they do the examination she screams, fights and gets extremely upset, and carries on until we leave the hospital.

Before covid, her dad would come with and take her after the examination, to shush and calm her while I talked to the doctor's. However now it's one parent only, I'm finding it extremely difficult to have a conversation with a screaming child in my ear.

I've tried everything, shushing, patting, toys, pure bribery of biscuits and my phone. But simply nothing will stop her screaming and clawing at me.

Any one got any ideas? Would it be okay to ask the doctor to write down their "findings" incase I can't hear anything important? I've wondered if maybe there was some sort of chaperone nurse who could take DD if I need to talk about important things, but I doubt there's anyone spare to do that sort of thing?

Next pediatrics appointments is next week and I'm dreading it.

When ds was younger he had a doctors kit and we kept things like hospital bracelets, masks from ops and things in there so we could play with proper things (although we did also use a peg as a sat monitor )

Oh, another idea would be take something for them to unwrap (if they get the idea of unwrapping gifts yet...)

I've been there and still doing that. Though DS is now older but still gets antsy during the chatting.

Does she still fit in her buggy?
I used to put ds in his and face him away from me and the dr. On good days he would play with a toy or read. On others he might look at photos on my phone. On the worst I would put headphones on him to drown us out and let him watch cbeebies

We still have a lot of headphones days but I think its just too much for him and he needs to switch off. I'm that type of mother and worry about him appearing rude... but then I realise I don't care hes been poked and prodded for years he can kick back and relax.

He always tells me he doesn't like to hear what the drs say just when mummy and daddy explain

Its stressful and having to manhandle your child for tests and checkups is so difficult and stressful. And much harder atm with only 1 parent allowed in when you are used to 2.