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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Postnatal check over the phone?

29 replies

NeedMoMoney · 29/10/2022 14:12

Probably abit to late to change it now, but..
I had a health visitor last week to check babies weight and make sure I was doing ok etc..
she asked if my GP had arranged my postnatal check appointment yet, which they had the day before via txt, the txt stated it would be a appointment via telephone at 9am on the date scheduled.
As I told the health visitor this she tutted and said that she thinks it's wrong that they are allowed to do it over the phone as I should be there in person for them to check my stiches (had C-section) and to feel my abdomen for anything unusual, also to check my blood pressure. She basically told me I need to phone them and tell them I want an actual appointment for them to physically see me!
I admit I was going too but forgot about it with being busy with the babies, has anyone else had this? Would it be wrong to "demand" and appointment? It's been over a week since the txt so I feel I've left it to late to get an appointment now anyway.

OP posts:
35965a · 29/10/2022 14:13

I think it’s total negligence to offer 6 week checks over the phone to be honest, I agree with your health visitor.

Scramble1805 · 29/10/2022 14:23

I wasn't offered one but all, assumed it would happen at baby's 8 week check. But the dr then was surprised I'd not been offered one and told me to make a proper appointment. So ended up being 10 weeks. I think it varies depending on the area. Over the phone would have been no use to me.

GoodnightGentleBoris · 29/10/2022 14:24

You don’t need to “demand” anything, just call and ask for the appointment in person…

MooseBreath · 29/10/2022 14:28

I never had one with my COVID baby, not even over the phone. I will be effectively demanding one in person this time.

MoreTeaLessCoffee · 29/10/2022 14:28

I also think it needs to be in person. It is a physical check up and especially as a first time mum (I assume?) you might not be aware of what is normal.

huniimhome · 29/10/2022 14:28

Hi I was in the same exact situation. You are well within your rights to ask for a face to face consultation. It's necessary! I had a phone call then asked for a face to face to bloods etc. definitely ask!

onionringcheeseypuff · 29/10/2022 14:29

Ten years ago at my check the gp didn't lay a hand on me despite complications with my stitches which the midwives and HV had tried to manage until I saw him.

All the gp cared about is what contraception I was going to use, and postnatal depression checklist form.

So I can see why they do it over the phone now, because they never did it properly in the first place.

Regularsizedrudy · 29/10/2022 14:30

Yes I had this. They did it over the phone and I had to pretty much demand a face to face appointment. If you feel you need to be seen you you should definitely push for it but if you have no concerns just go with the phone app.

Regularsizedrudy · 29/10/2022 14:31

Also don’t worry about leaving it late, I booked the face to face after the phone app. You are entitled to be seen!

CrochetIsCool · 29/10/2022 14:34

When I had my children GP visited to do postnatal check ups at home, how times have changed.

listsandbudgets · 29/10/2022 14:35

I think some things are fine to do over the phone but agree that this is certainly not one of them. You need to be seen for the physical checks as your HV says.

During lockdown I was given a telephone appointment for a smear test! It did't even cross my mind it would be phone so got a bit of a shock when a text came a couple of days before reminding me the nurse would phone! Grin

Mymoneydontjigglejiggle · 29/10/2022 14:35

Well I've had 3 babies and 3 post-natal checks in the last 6 years. Deliveries have included c sections, severe tearing and pph. One resulted in a stay in hdu for 5 days after birth. Not once has a GP laid a finger on me or looked at anything during a 6 week check. They ask if you feel ok (mentally) and put you on contraception but there is no physical check of the mother. They usually weigh and measure the baby though. Even when I thought my incision was infected the GP didn't look at it. He just prescribed antibiotics based on my description of it.

AnneLovesGilbert · 29/10/2022 14:37

It really needs to be done in person. You don’t need to demand anything, just ask.

Original poster
NeedMoMoney · 29/10/2022 14:50

I am a first time mum, this is why It didn't cross my mind when I got the txt about my appointment as I've never had a postal check before, it seems most gp appointments are done over the phone now days aswell so I didn't even think about it! It wasn't untill the hv came and told me that I need to be seen face to face,
I'll be giving the gp a ring on Monday!

OP posts:
ChocoFudge · 29/10/2022 15:12

I've had two c sections and no one has ever offered to check my stitches, at the 6 week checks the only thing the doctor cared about was what contraception I wanted.

MandaLynn · 29/10/2022 15:21

Really surprised - at my 6wk check after DS1 the GP checked my stitches and abdomen.

For DD, I'm due an appt in a couple weeks but they combine the mum 6wk check with the 8wk immunisations for baby - so you only need to go in once

RedHelenB · 29/10/2022 19:18

My Dr visited the house for my first baby for the 6 week check 20 odd years ago. I can't see the point of over the phone, he checked my stitches, felt my stomach etc and had a chat to see how I was coping with motherhood

ClearButtons · 29/10/2022 19:23

I never had a postnatal check - when I asked the receptionist, she seemed surprised that I'd even ask and that it wasn't 'usual'. She said to book in with the nurse for contraception and ring to see the doctor of 'any complications'. So I didn't bother. Even though I had a c section and a haematoma! At the baby 6 week check, the only thing they asked me about was that I was sorting contraception and that I was getting out and about. Tbh, I found maternal care extremely poor post-baby - from literally the minute I have birth, I felt like no one cared about me.
Definitely try and get a face to face appointment - they should be looking after mothers too.

Maray1967 · 29/10/2022 19:25

How on earth can a 6 week check be done over the phone? What the hell has happened to this service? Both of mine were done by female GPs. Both checked my abdomen, the first checked my vulva as I had a fair amount of stitching up, the second my c section scar. Both were very thorough and helpful. And yes, they were 22 and 14 years ago. It really concerns me when I read this kind of post - what a rubbish service.

luxxlisbon · 29/10/2022 19:47

Based on my check last year which was just rolled in with the baby’s 8 week jabs and consisted of absolutely fuck all, so it wouldn’t matter if it was over the phone.

I agree my GP acted like a 6 week check wasn’t a thing too when I phoned to book.

The only person who checked my c section stitches was a midwife at an appointment for the baby at 5 days, and this is only because I still could barely walk.

Original poster
NeedMoMoney · 30/10/2022 09:55

I'm glad I wasn't the only one where they kept going on about contraception! Even when I was still in the hospital!, I must have been asked about 5 times what contraception I was going to go on!! I've literally just had a baby! I think sex is the last thing on my mind! It's like they were sales reps trying to fill a quota!! Both hv I've had also asked. It's strange though how some woman havnt even been offered an appointment! there must be some guidelines somewhere!

OP posts:
Original poster
NeedMoMoney · 30/10/2022 09:56

GoodnightGentleBoris · 29/10/2022 14:24

You don’t need to “demand” anything, just call and ask for the appointment in person…

I only put "demand" (in air quotes) as that was what the hv said, I was just quoting her...

OP posts:
RagzRebooted · 30/10/2022 10:04

That's ridiculous. I work in a GP surgery and apart from changing to 8 weeks during Covid to fit in with baby jabs so only one visit was needed, we carried on doing the 6 weeks check through Covid. I'd rather they changed it back to 6 weeks now as presumably there was a reason it was 6 weeks in the first place and 8 seems a long time to wait.

Over the phone would be stupid.

PissedOffNeighbour22 · 30/10/2022 10:18

They don't do them at my surgery either. I had a CS with a nasty infection and they still didn't do a check at all.
My baby had a half-hearted once over and all I was asked was whether I was on contraception.

At my previous doctor during Covid they gave my first baby and me a full check. It was late (10wks) but I felt much happier for having it after a very traumatic birth.

transverseworries · 30/10/2022 10:37

@NeedMoMoney I actually get so frustrated with constant contraception pushing. It feels like they assume every pregnancy is caused by being irresponsible and totally unplanned. I'm about to have baby no 3, had my pre-birth hv appointment last week and she bought it up. I got fed up and told her in 35 years I've never had an unplanned pregnancy so I think I can handle it, thanks. Will be saying the same to everyone else who asks.

Re. The 6 week check definitely call and ask for face to face. I know it differs by area but where we are they do a double appointment to check baby too. They weigh and measure and do a quick examination of baby so no way they can do that over the phone. I've also always had my own stitches checked and bp taken