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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go to one stop breast clinic alone with baby

23 replies

SRK16 · 26/02/2020 13:36

I have an appointment Re a lump in my breast at the one stop breast screening clinic. Baby is 5 months and EBF.
My parents are away, husband not able to take time away from work, in laws working. Can’t leave the baby due to breast feeding... don’t really want to say anything to my in laws, but wondering if it’s going to be really difficult with a baby on my own?
Hospital say I will be in and out within three hours even if they have to do all tests (I.e. a needle biopsy).
Please be kind in quite stressed/worried about the whole thing. Just want to know if I’m being stupid thinking I can manage on my own with the baby?
In a pinch I have one friend I could ask but they may not be able to due to their own childcare issues.
Thanks

OP posts:
Blackandgreenteas · 26/02/2020 13:37

Yanbu

I had a filling with a baby strapped to my chest before. It wasn’t ideal - and I’m not playing one up manship - but sometimes there’s no option and you need the appointment!

MrsStrangerThing · 26/02/2020 13:41

Bring someone with you, there's bound to be someone who could go along. It is a pretty horrible process and would be even worse if trying to juggle baby alongside the procedures. I honestly think you would regret going alone.

CharlotteUnaNatalieThompson · 26/02/2020 13:46

I'm a breast surgeon who runs these clinics.

You'll be fine with a baby, if the baby is upset the will be a queue of nurses offering cuddles while you have the tests you need.

It's probably worth trying to take someone with you though. There's a small chance it ends up being something significant, and it's so much better to have someone with you if that happened.

Hope it all goes well

Menora · 26/02/2020 13:47

You will need go into the machines etc and you won’t be able to hold the baby when you do so, and also radiation from some of the machines may mean leaving baby outside the room?

If you have no choice Make sure baby is fed and in a pram and the nurses may help you
But I would be asking anyone I could to come along. I went alone and it was scary I wish I had someone with me

Ohgoodness34 · 26/02/2020 13:48

Yes absolutely. I took my 8 month old with me to mine. They were so helpful and lovely with her.
Hope it goes well for you Flowers

RachelEllenRE · 26/02/2020 13:50

I took my young EBF baby alone - my husband was at home looking after our one year old. I had been for a lump previously and it took about 4 hours. I think I was seen quicker due to having the baby with me and they held her/talked to her when I was having tests. Good luck.

livingthegoodlife · 26/02/2020 13:54

At mine any accompanying people have to stay in waiting room and the patient is taken off to several different rooms for the tests with separate waiting rooms. I was sat alone anyway. A baby would have been fine at mine. Each test only takes a couple of minutes, most of the time is waiting for each service.

I'd just take the baby with you. A nurse could jiggle it for the two mins whilst you're scanned etc then back to you.

P1nkHeartLovesCake · 26/02/2020 13:58

Bring someone with you, there's bound to be someone who could go along OP has already said in her post that there isn’t.....

OP take the baby, no it’s not ideal but you have a lump in your breast that needs to be checked so if this is your only option then this it must be. Having your breast checked is a must for your health, it’s not an optional kind of thing

Original poster
SRK16 · 26/02/2020 14:03

Thanks all for your replies so far, they are basically what I thought- it’s not ideal but it’s doable. My main concern is baby missing his nap/not being able to get him to sleep and disturbing other patients if he’s crying (which he does at high volume when he’s due to sleep!)
As I say I have one friend I don’t mind asking if I really have to but she may not be able to. I suspect my MIL may help/cancel work if I asked I just feel uncomfortable about her joining me, though not sure why.
I’m really hoping it’s a blocked duct or something. Mind keeps going ‘what if’. It’s much easier to focus on what to do on the day!

OP posts:
MrsCasares · 26/02/2020 14:04

I worked in clinic and have held more babes than I’ve had hot dinners. Take the little one with you. No one will mind. Honestly don’t worry. We always tried to jump women with little babes up the queue.

RachelEllenRE · 26/02/2020 14:05

Mine wasn't a blocked duct but it was related to breastfeeding - it didn't go until I stopped feeding her. I hope it goes well.

Crunchymum · 26/02/2020 14:06

Why can't your DH take half a day off?

Disfordarkchocolate · 26/02/2020 14:07

I had to take a baby and two children under 5 because my husband wanted to stay in and watch the racing. It was fine. The staff were very accommodating. Good luck.

MumW · 26/02/2020 14:13

I had to take a baby and two children under 5 because my husband wanted to stay in and watch the racing. It was fine.
ShockHmm
Selfish git.

Good Luck OP.

PoolsOfSunshineThroughTheGlass · 26/02/2020 14:16

Disfordarkchocolate please tell us that you missed the "ex" from before "husband" in your post Shock

I've taken a very small breastfed baby with me to smear tests and dentists appointments (having checked first whether to rearrange) and a routine doctor's appointment which turned into a referral to hospital and a string of tests, because of logistics - DH working a long was from home - but DH would reorganise work if it was both serious and planned in advance.

dottiedodah · 26/02/2020 14:25

I would see if MIL is free if you can ,or your friend .You would be better off having some support even just for moral support/someone to talk to .Obviously if all goes well .thats great .If God forbid any issues ,someone with you will be a help to you .Good luck hope all goes well for you .I had a small red lump on the left breast ,and it turned out to be a fatty lump ,which was drained and cleared with a week of Antibiotics.

Foofedifiknow · 26/02/2020 14:56

God I wish I’d asked on here re same issue - ECHO dental cardiology gynae appointments initially without and then with an EBF infant With the benefit of hard won experience (ask me about a cousin calling re the baby being freezing cold outside in the snow while waiting for appointment with engorged boobs.)
I had lots of lumps which all improved with BF experience and tricks picked up along the way.
Solution is simple - just unapologetically take your baby with you - then you won’t be anxious and neither will baby.

Ilovechocolate01 · 26/02/2020 15:05

I took my baby alone to the breast clinic when I had a lump. It was fine, not ideal but we coped. The nurses were lovely and gave me a room to feed and change my DD when I needed it. The only problem would have been if I needed a mammogram. I didn't in the end as the ultrasound found it was a blockage nothing sinister but the nurse did say they would look after her for me even though they weren't supposed to. It was a bit lonely but other women in the waiting room were very friendly and having a baby draws people to you for a chat

Original poster
SRK16 · 26/02/2020 16:15

Decided there was no harm in asking my friend- she’s not free (didn’t tell her why I was asking).
Husband runs his own company & taking time unexpectedly is difficult. In fairness I haven’t directly asked as I hoped he would offer.. but appreciate it’s quite difficult for him.
I think I’ll be fine on my own, apparently you don’t get the biopsy results there and then (if you have one) so I guess I wouldn’t get bad news on my own anyway. But hopefully just to do with feeding or something.
Thanks for all your responses, I don’t feel as worried about bringing him with me now.

OP posts:
lanthanum · 26/02/2020 16:35

Perhaps give the clinic a ring if you're worried, but I wouldn't expect there to be any problem.

I took an 8 year old with me one time - she wasn't allowed in the room where the mammogram was done, but you may well be too young to be having a mammogram anyway (they're not really useful on younger women).

I was about the only person there who hadn't brought a "supportive adult", but I'd had cysts before so was pretty sure it wasn't anything bad. You'll have a better idea than anyone as to how you'll cope with any difficult news, and I suspect having your baby with you will help not hinder.

Disfordarkchocolate · 26/02/2020 21:48

He is very EX @PoolsOfSunshineThroughTheGlass and @MumW.

PoolsOfSunshineThroughTheGlass · 26/02/2020 23:03

Disfordarkchocolate glad to hear it! Brew

glasgowLil · 26/02/2020 23:19

I think you should take someone with you if you can. At a breast clinic they will ultrasound your breast and be able to tell from it whether it’s a harmless lump or whether it’s a concern. Hopefully it will all be fine but if it’s not, you will need someone with you. Fingers crosses everything is ok. Xx

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