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?

My 6 wk check was a check for the baby. Not for me, i didn't get any examination of my stitches. When I asked the GP if she was going to check, she said "not unless you want me to".

IIRC it's just a chat

Thanks all.

On checking the stitches, the MW has done this but as there is do much bruising it may not have settled before I'm discharged from MW care.

Also I might want to chat about intimate stuff and just really don't wasn't to do that with a man who strongly gives the impression of not bring hugely fussed about the whole thing.

I will ring tomorrow!

GP here: I still see women for a 6 week postnatal check - for me its a debrief about the birth and any concerns they had, check about feeding issues, check mood is ok and then ensure no worries about stitches either in belly or perineum - usually long sorted but I was taught to ask although I rarely need to examine. I was also taught to ask about bleeding and then its onto the contraceptive bit.
There's a whole separate appointment for the baby's check - though in practice its all done in one mammoth double or triple appointment slot.
You're totally entitled to request a woman.

When I had my most recent 6 week check, the receptionist told me that they book mums in with a female doctor unless they specifically ask for a male (as like you say it may make sense to have your existing doctor, who might be male, for a number of reasons).

Its not just stiches you might be worried about at six weeks, at that point I was at a real hormonal low and In hindsight I am very glad it was a (very good) woman. I have never before or since felt like I needed a female doctor over a male (and I have afairly colourful gyne past) but at that point, it was exactly the right thing.

So for you, with your history, it is very important that you see a woman, if that is what you want.

Thanks sleepy really appreciate the perspective from the other side of the desk. Yes it is a triple appt but so was my 32w check with this GP and it was over in nine minutes as he didn't do much of it, ie checking baby's heart rate etc. He was a really nice man but due to retire and I had the feeling just not that bothered in what seemed like a low risk pg. I really want someone more thorough for pfb

Wish that you were my GP sleepy. I was told that I would have to have the male GP I had been assigned for my check up as I had just moved into the area. The practice manager and receptionist refused to let me see a female GP. At my check up I had an internal examination which was both humiliating and painful. This was 12 years ago but I still have nightmares about it. Please insist on a female GP and don't take no for an answer OP.

I know surgeries are variable but you should definitely have a choice of gp / even if it means hanging on a week longer perhaps for a long enough slot. Make sure you get someone you're comfortable to talk with - I was a complete crying fruit loop at six weeks with my own kids and always make sure I check people are coping with it all ok.

Sorry mushy i had made that comment before I saw yours. Always astonished by people's stories. Remember you can vote with your feet if you're not happy - try a different gp or different surgery til you find one you trust.

Do ring the surgery.

Don't complain (the receptionist will only have relayed to you what is practice policy and it would not be fair to 'shot the messenger') and ask to speak to the practice manager.
State you wish to see a female dr for your 6 weeks check (no need to go in to the reasons) and you understand this is not practice policy (although, frankly, it's an odd policy to not 'allow' a choice of doctors in a surgery with drs of either gender IMO), but what can he/she do to accommodate you?

If you find that approach does not get you what you need, then complain .

Thanks sleepy unfortunately no other doctors near us as we are fairly rural.

Are you certain you're not included in the boundary of other local practices? Our (rural) practice boundary is frankly ridiculous. We cover half the county

That said I'd agree with previous posters that first of all you should just politely state you wish to be seen by a female and expect to be accommodated. I'd be surprised if they said no.

My check was quite perfunctory, didn't ask about contraception, and when I raised it was told I'd need to book a separate appointment. To my shock they didn't even check my blood pressure and I'd had pre-eclampsia/hellp.

I will do a check tomorrow sleepy thanks.

I was always examined at my 6 week check .And not just the stitches , but vaginal walls and that horrible internal 'feeling for lumps' thing they do

My 6w check was totally pointless. The GP asked how I was feeling, I said okay, and that was it. I've had more intimate discussions with the lady in the post office.

Just make a regular GP appointment if you have concerns. The six week check is the most pointless thing ever. I had one after my first baby and said 'no thanks' after the other three.

I will always ask for a female doctor or nurse when having appointments about any sort of problem/issue below the waist (unless it's just a repeat prescription for the pill or something)

I would be absolutely horrified to have a male doctor for those issues.

Just as, I imagine, many men will request a male doctor if they are having prostate problems.

It's just that with smear tests, pregnancy, stitches, 6 week checks, etc etc women tend to, in general, need more appointments where you have to strip from the waist down.

As a reassurance, I didn't have an intimate examination at either of mine (could have done with it after DD1 as I had a third degree tear and at 8 weeks when I finally was starting to feel up to DTD I thought I'd check down below only to find a rather long piece of stitch sticking out on the inside - hadn't dissolved as it had been left to long - having THAT removed was fun - DH still goes green at the thought that he might have ended up "finding" it!).

You are definitely entitled to ask for a female GP - I had one at both of mine.

YANBU at all to request a female GO if you'd feel more comfortable.

But as others have said, the 6 week check is surprisingly useless impersonal. The only physical examination at the last one I had was of the baby's hips and eyes- and I kept my clothes on for it