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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think they shouldn't have made me take a pregnancy test.

123 replies

ItsNotPossible · 02/04/2014 20:13

This is light hearted because I do understand rules are rules, but.......

I was in hospital today to have a minor operation. Beforehand I was asked if I could be pregnant. I replied no definitely not and the nurse ticked the form happy with my answer.
Twenty minutes later she returned to me with a pee pot and said I needed to take a test. Not really a problem, it's just a quick pee in a pot.

However:

I am 54 and haven't had a period for 3 years 4 months.

I November I completed 8 weeks of daily radiotherapy to my pelvic area which would have left me infertile.

I was in hospital to have an op to re-open the top of my vagina and entrance to my cervix as the radiotherapy had fused them together. I didn't have sex with my DP during the 8 weeks of chemo and radiotherapy because I was too ill. That finished in November, we still haven't been able to have sex since completion of treatment because I was fused Grin

All of this they were aware of. How much blummin evidence of not being pregnant does one need.

OP posts:
ChaffinchOfDoom · 02/04/2014 20:15

oh dear, it does seem thoughtless.

hope you're feeling better though Thanks

ikeaismylocal · 02/04/2014 20:16

Yanbu. How silly!

I wonder if they make nuns take a pregnancy test "just incase"

I hope the op went well Thanks

ifyourehoppyandyouknowit · 02/04/2014 20:16

If your cervix is fused shut, how the bloody he'll did theythink you could have get pregnant? I'm a bit concerned they haven't grasped the basics of sex/pregnancy. Did the nurse at least look embarrassed?

OOAOML · 02/04/2014 20:17

I know you said lighthearted, but in those circumstances if you feel like complaining I think you should. That's a really insensitive way to treat someone, and they should know better.

Twighlightsparkle · 02/04/2014 20:17

One word, numpties.

Hope it went well

Waggamamma · 02/04/2014 20:17

My mum was made do one in hospital recently too and she has been sterilised!

I guess they need to be extra sure but in some circumstances it's just silly.

CustardOmlet · 02/04/2014 20:19

Don't joke too much about preganant nuns, there was one recently on the Daily Fail!

Hope your surgery went well and your back in action!

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 02/04/2014 20:19

was the wee actually for a pregnancy test though as hospitals often take a sample to test for other stuff.

Ubik1 · 02/04/2014 20:20

Are you sire they were just testing for pregnancy and not for infection or whatever else they can test from wee?

hemel07 · 02/04/2014 20:21

Are you sure it was for a pregnancy test? Urine samples are often taken routinely in hospital.

Voerendaal · 02/04/2014 20:21

Because we have to "just in case" . It would be unacceptable to operate on a woman who was unknowingly pregnant and cause the loss of an unborn child. I appreciate what you are saying but what would you have done if you had been pregnant, were not aware and lost the baby. If you really wanted a child, you would be entitled to lots of compensation paid out from NHS coffers. Defensive medicine I am afraid stemming from the dreadful compensation culture we currently live in.

hemel07 · 02/04/2014 20:23

Cross post +++ sorry!

LookScarboroughHarbourBarbara · 02/04/2014 20:23

Hope you're ok OP.

When my mum was in her 70s she was referred to a specialist as she had unexplained oedema in her legs.

Without looking up from his notes (obviously not hers!) the doctor asked her, "and how are your periods?" Hmm

hemel07 · 02/04/2014 20:23

Cross post +++ sorry!

paxtecum · 02/04/2014 20:24

They are checking because if you had been pregnant and the procedure had resulted in a miscarriage then you could sue.

The modern trend for sueing for compensation has resulted in a lot of time (and money) being spent by the NHS on preventative measures.

There is a team of photographers in each hospital assisting with this.

I hope you the get better soon.

RevoltingPeasant · 02/04/2014 20:26

OP I know how you feel. When I had surgery despite me saying my husband had erectile dysfunction issues which meant we were not able to have sex. The consultant just snapped "Not good enough" and handed me a pee pot.

I didn't mind but you do just feel a bit dismissed, like they think you are too thick to know your own body.

But then again, you read these occasional stories where women go 9 months without knowing and all that malarkey. It's better to be safe.

Although I do wish they were politer about it sometimes!

MammaTJ · 02/04/2014 20:27

You should have told them you wanted a whole new New Testament written all about your offspring if you were. I'm sure they would have realised their error if you had.

candycoatedwaterdrops · 02/04/2014 20:30

YANBU and I wish you a speedy recovery. I once was told they would not x-ray my foot if I did not take a pregnancy test. I was a virgin.

Panzee · 02/04/2014 20:32

I've had a few ops and x rays and never taken a pregnancy test. They just ask here.

Original poster
ItsNotPossible · 02/04/2014 20:32

Yes it was definitely a pregnancy test. It was a new to the department male nurse who was already red faced and mortified having listened to my reasons for a pregnancy not being possible. He came back and said all women under 55 had to do a test, bless him.

I get that the hospitals need to cover their backs but sometimes common sense should prevail. Anyway this is my 5th op in 6 months but first test.

OP posts:
mrsminiverscharlady · 02/04/2014 20:33

Voerendaal, have you read the op? She is postmenopausal, not sexually active and has had treatment which meant she physically cannot have sex or conceive. Sounds as though there would be as much chance of a man getting pregnant but I bet they wouldn't be asked to do a test!

I can't understand why they even ask the question if they're not going to trust the response.

I've had several treatments which would have caused miscarriage or birth defects and they've always taken my word for it.

sarahquilt · 02/04/2014 20:41

Probably to avoid a lawsuit if it turned out you were and the child was damaged. At 54 I would agree it's pretty unlikely though!

Lonecatwithkitten · 02/04/2014 20:57

I really feel for your not long before the end of her life my beautiful friend who had dreamed of having a family, was brought to tears for the only time in her whole treatment by a radiographer who insisted she peed in a pot before a scan even though it was recorded in her notes that chemo two years earlier had destroyed her ovaries, oh and then they had been removed due to adhesions when she had her total bowel resection.
It wasn't so much the words used, but the way they were said.

WitchWay · 02/04/2014 21:00

Pretty pointless to ask if you could be & then test anyway when you say NO. Why not just test everyone routinely & say it's for completeness?

Original poster
ItsNotPossible · 02/04/2014 21:01

Lonecatwithkitten That's awful your poor friend. In that situation I really hope someone complained.

Sorry for your loss Flowers

OP posts: