To request a female GP for 6w check?

[RevoltingPeasant]

I have a difficult history meaning that for gynae and obs issues, where it's practicable, I try to see female HCP. (Nothing against male HCP, just my comfort!)

DD is just 5 days old so I registered her with the surgery today and also booked in the 6w check whilst I was there.

I was told that DD's GP will be the same as mine (which is great as a idea, for continuity of care) and I must have the 6w check with our named GP. Fine in theory, but three things - 1) he is leaving the surgery the week after so there will be no continuity 2) I have met him before and he's the only dr in the surgery I really wouldn't want to take my child to see 3) he is a man and I understand the 6w check involves things like checking healing of stitches, discussing sex life ha ha and contraception.

I do not feel comfortable discussing these things with a male dr and this guy in particular.

I tried to request a female GP at the time but the receptionist didn't want to book me in with anyone but him and as there was a queue I didn't feel happy explaining my history etc as a reason for wanting to see a woman.

Am I right about the intimate nature of the 6w check and if so, AIBU to ring back and push to see a woman dr?

Ring them back and insist on seeing a female Dr. If they won't play ball, complain to the practice manager. Receptionist was wrong.

YANBU to ask to see a woman - stand your ground.

The GP did not check my stitches at my 6 week check (or examine me in any way) but did ask about contraception.

YANBU, but from what I remember they don't check your stitches unless you think there's a problem with them, and the discussion about contraception is just them reminding you that you might be fertile again already. I think its fine to request a female HCP whenever you want, but the 6 week check might not be as detailed as you're expecting so might not be necessary.

There was no intimate check at mine, I was asked if I had any concerns about the healing process and there were none so no need for an examination. If you don't like that doctor insist on changing to another one though, there was a grumpy, patronising one at my old surgery who I hated seeing as he was very abrupt and called me "girl" even though I was 28 . I was glad when I moved and didn't have to see him anymore.

I had no check whatsoever.
Wasn't asked anything to do with me, only DS. I mentioned I had a section. Still nothing asked about me.
Few weeks later I asked the nurse if this was right, and she said yes. Unless you have any issues that you raise they don't check mums at all.
Not sure if this is all gps or not.

YANBU. I would have preferred a female GP, preferably one who had had kids, for my 6 week check. There was no checking of stitches or anything like that, but I'd had a bit of bleeding a week or so before and I felt that he was a bit dismissive of what, as a new mum who didn't have a clue what was going on, was worrying me. I think someone who has been through it might, just might, be a bit more understanding.

You don't actually have to have a 6 week check at all.Your baby does though,at 6-8 weeks.
You can just wait to see a GP when you need contraception or if any other issues come up.
But if you do go ahead it's one situation where they will understand that you want a female GP and should accomodate that.

Gone are the days when doctors had their fingers up you at yet least excuse. There won't be an intimate check unless you have problems.

You can always request a femaie GP anyway or a specific GP. The receptionist is wrong.

My dds and I airways request The femaie GP as she's good.

Don't be put off Like that op. Stand your ground.

And no doctor can examine you anywhere without your consent!

of course yanbu ... & like an earlier poster said the 6 week check is not compulsory!

I've had four babies & never had one. If you have a problem or feel it will be useful in some way then of course make the appointment but you don't have to :) I just booked a 6-8 week check for the baby each time.

My stitches weren't checked at 6 weeks. 4 years later I'm still being reconstructed!

Thanks all!

The thing is, I don't know if by 6w I will have questions about stitches iyswim. But I'd like to be able to ask! I had a precipitate labour with a good deal of bruising and if things haven't settled down I might well want to have a reassurance check.

But it's also about DD. I saw this GP for my 32w antenatal check and he was very cursory, not listening to fetal heart, not measuring fundal height, and also misread my notes and thought I had recently had a kidney removed (??). I want someone a bit more bothered to check DD over.

Actually I liked him fine, ironically. He was very laid back and genial.

YANBU. You don't have to explain why you want to see a female, you can just request that you see a female. Receptionist was a twat.
I had my stitches checked at mine after ds1 but after ds2 I saw male gp and he just asked if everything was ok and gave me a leaflet on contraception. May as well not have bothered.

I wasn't examined at either 6 week check. The (male) GP just asked if everything was ok " down below"

YANBU, you should do whatever makes you feel most comfortable.

I didn't have my stitches checked at my 6 week check, though, or anything really! He just asked me how I was feeling. We did talk about contraception thought

I recently had my 6 wk check and did request a female go, even though this meant two trips to doctors, as my ds was booked into male gp for his check/jabs.
The receptionist was wrong, stick yo your guns if you feel strongly about it. Fwiw, I had an examination as I had a few concerns, felt much more comfortable with a female. You don't have to justify it to anyone.

Phone and explain your reasons. They should do as you request.

YANBU.

If you do need a check down there, you might want to book a separate appointment anyway as otherwise you will be trying to marshal a tiny baby - if you have any concerns I certainly wouldn't wait till your 6 week check to have them addressed either thus speaks the voice of bitter and painful experience!

I made sure to have a woman GP for pregnancy. I find it much easier to deal with women when it comes to personal issues.

Perfectly reasonable to look for a woman, I think.

You have every right to see a female GP if that is what will make you feel most comfortable. Please call back and insist.

When my ds was small (in 2003!) I didn't have a 6 week check. It was done at 8 weeks with his first set of immunisations. Has that changed?

If you wait until 8 weeks, the doctor will have left anyway?

My midwife checked my stitches in the early weeks (way before 6wks) so I didn't have them checked at the surgery. I personally wouldn't wait until then to get them looked at for the first time.

Yanbu.

I asked the gp to check my stitches on my c section cut as it had got infection, she didn't look at anything and after dd2 I wasn't checked as all felt ok and I didn't really want anyone looking at neither regions.

You should be able to see a female gp.

Your midwife should be doing postnatal checks like stitches, call her if you want an additional check.