Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave DS at home while I go to 6 week postnatal check?

26 replies

PassTheCremeEggs · 09/01/2014 10:15

Posting here for traffic. I have my postnatal check this afternoon. DH is at home so I could leave DS with him. DS has had his check already (he's 8 weeks, my check is late because it was Christmas week at the 6 week point)

Will GP think it's odd I don't have him with me? Do I actually need to take him? Seems so pointless to bundle him up get him in car etc etc if check is just for me.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 09/01/2014 10:17

No the check is for you not the baby. I would leave him.

Upcycled · 09/01/2014 10:17

I can't see the problem.

dontknowwhoiamanymore · 09/01/2014 10:18

Dd didn't come to mine. It never crossed my mind that the GP would think it was odd.

DustyBaubles · 09/01/2014 10:18

No, of course you don't have to take him. They won't think it's odd at all.

StealthPolarBear · 09/01/2014 10:34

I thought you were talking about an older child and leaving him alone :)
Congratulations :o

Original poster
PassTheCremeEggs · 09/01/2014 10:35

Thanks - don't know why I wasn't sure!

OP posts:
Pobblewhohasnotoes · 09/01/2014 10:36

No, the check is for you so leave him with your DH. At my surgery they combined our 6-8 week checks so I had to have DS with me!

Elfina · 09/01/2014 10:37

I left DD at home, but when I arrived, everyone else in the waiting room had there's with them. They all had slings, rather than pushchairs, so I genuinely wonder what they did with their babies if they needed to be examined??

mrsjay · 09/01/2014 10:37

I didnt take any of my babies with me to get checked it is fine nobody will think you have left your baby

Wuxiapian · 09/01/2014 10:42

Leave baby with DP.

GP will not think it's odd if baby's not tied to your hip.

Potol · 09/01/2014 10:43

Nah. I left him with my MIL who suggested I take a book and go to a local coffee shop and drink a cup of tea on my way back as well. DS was bf and v small at birth and fed round the clock so I was v relieved to get a break. Came back and found both of them fine, house not on fire etc. GP didn't bat an eyelid.

redskyatnight · 09/01/2014 10:43

Going against others here but ... my GP checked both the baby and me at the 6 week check. Personally I'd check with the surgery.
(Lots of mums will have baby with them because they are b/f surely?)

Joysmum · 09/01/2014 10:44

Mine didn't go with me. Yes you're a mum, but you don't need your child with you 24/7/365 so try to come to terms with that.

Xmasbaby11 · 09/01/2014 10:47

I took DD with me because I was always with her at that stage, but there is no reason why you can't leave your baby.

mrsjay · 09/01/2014 10:55

some do some dont check mum and baby the baby has had the check so I think it is ok to not take the baby tbf my dh was off work not everybody has somebody to look after them

CecilyP · 09/01/2014 12:27

Not only will they not think it is odd, but they will be pleased not to have to organise who holds the baby when they are examining you. If your DH is available to to take care of your baby, I would leave him with him. Most mums will take their babies simply because their DPs are at work when the appointment is arranged.

Chunderella · 09/01/2014 12:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MiaowTheCat · 09/01/2014 12:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ChazzerChaser · 09/01/2014 12:56

I took my baby with me in a sling to drs and hospital lots, and was examined lots. I just held him on my chest while they examined. Wasn't a big deal.

Laurel1979 · 09/01/2014 12:56

I wouldn't think it was strange if you left baby at home (I'm a GP who does a lot of postnatal checks). It actually makes it easier as its in this consultation that contraception etc will be discussed, and its much better when the mother isn't distracted by a crying baby etc. Plus the waiting room will be filled with people coughing and sneezing this time of year, so its best for baby to avoid this where possible!

fhdl34 · 09/01/2014 12:59

My GP checks the baby as well as the mum

elliejjtiny · 09/01/2014 13:06

My GP does mum and baby's postnatal checks together. It would have been easier to not take DS4 to mine though. He started screaming for a feed near the end and the GP said "I've just got to do your BP before you can feed him". Surprise surprise, BP was high, after having no BP problems during pregnancy Hmm.

Original poster
PassTheCremeEggs · 09/01/2014 13:52

Checked with surgery as weirdly they rang me earlier about something else, and they said fine not to bring him as he's already had his check. Hurrah! Perhaps I'll go off for a cheeky coffee somewhere too - rare time away from 8 week old and 19 month old!

OP posts:
tshirtsuntan · 09/01/2014 13:57

No, I didn't take mine as they did a smear test at the same time and there would have been nowhere to put him! ( no prams in surgery)

WhereIsMyHat · 09/01/2014 14:01

I don't think it's odd. At my surgery they combine the baby check, mothers check and first immunisations at 8 weeks so you have to take your baby.

The first time my mother left my brother with grandparents was for her 6 week check. I was a similar age to your eldest.