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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I don't have to actually go to a postnatal check do I?

39 replies

belly36 · 28/06/2010 16:11

...although yes, understand that it is important to have one, especially as I have some post-natal 'issues'.

Anyway, phoned the surgery today to rearrange my appointment as it's on a Monday and DS1 is not at nursery then. I really don't want my four year old son earwigging on a discussion about that sort of stuff. So surgery woman says postnatal appointments only happen on a Monday even though it's with my regular doctor who's there 5 days a week. So I say I can't come then. So receptionist woman says "But you have to come to a postnatal appointment it's compulsory"

It's not is it? If I decided not to go then it would be up to me wouldn't it?

OP posts:
Tidey · 28/06/2010 16:12

I don't think it's compulsory. I didn't go to either of mine

moomaa · 28/06/2010 16:14

Our surgery has this system, I think you may as well just go with it as they will be used to dealing with kids being there but YANBU

I don't think any medical care is compulsory. I suspect they would just 'tell' on you to the health visitor and have her have a word with you.

stripeyknickersspottysocks · 28/06/2010 16:19

Is it your 6 week check with the Gp?

They're certainly not compulsory, well none of the mare even the earlier ones with the midwife but if its an earlier one just after giving birth I think it may be a bit daft to miss those.

notconvincedaboutthis · 28/06/2010 16:19

How long is it? You could just book an appointment/double appointment for a different day.

stripeyknickersspottysocks · 28/06/2010 16:20

Meant to add that I think the GP one is less vital.

saslou · 28/06/2010 16:21

I think you should make an appointment to see your doctor and not tell the receptionist what the appt is for (none of their business really). Then just get your Dr to do the check and tell him you were unable to come on a Monday. If they are arsey about this, then complain formally and change Drs. Nothing is compulsory and surgeries should build in a degree of flexibility as that would be helpful. I do think you should have the check though.

ThePinkOne · 28/06/2010 16:21

Can't you just book an appointment for another day, then tell the doc that's what you're there for.

But can't DS just go to a friend's for half an hour?

curlywurlycremeegg · 28/06/2010 16:22

It's not compulsory, if you have some issues you need to talk about why not just make a regular appointment and dicuss them with a GP then. They can't refuse to see you just because you declined the official "postnatal examination".

curlywurlycremeegg · 28/06/2010 16:22

x posted with nearly everyone

enzed · 28/06/2010 16:26

I think it's important to go, especially for the 6 week check. Although it is ridiculous that the receptionist will only let you book an appointment for a day that's not suitable for you. I would phone and ask to speak to your GP directly, or leave a message for her to ring you back, and speak to her/him about having the appointment another day. I'm willing to bet that the GP wouldn't care what day the postnatal check is on, as long as you booked an appointment that was long enough (probably at least a double appointment). But if you really didn't want an appointment, none are "compulsory".

AMumInScotland · 28/06/2010 16:28

Definitely not compulsory. Just book a long appointment with your GP on a suitable day and tell him/her what it's about when you get there. I can't imagine any GP would be funny about that. It's usually just the receptionists who are odd about their "system" for appointments.

Sassybeast · 28/06/2010 16:33

Definately not compulsary but a good opportunity to discuss the issues that you have and get the baby checked over as well 9hence the fixed time slot as they usually do a joint clinic) 4 year olds are easily distracted in doctors surgeries with comics and sweets!

expatinscotland · 28/06/2010 16:39

I'd just schedule for another day, especially if you have issues you need to discuss.

At our surgery, you have to take your child into the examination room with you, you can't leave them out.

My 4-year-old isn't easily distracted, and I wouldn't have wanted her around for discussions about my psychiatric health and examination of my 2nd degree tear and stitches.

Rockbird · 28/06/2010 16:39

I was never called back for a 6 week check and I forgot about it.

edwardcullensotherwoman · 28/06/2010 16:41

We don't get them at all where I live, and I really could have used one!
Agree with enzed, I would just make an appointment with the GP tbh, receptionists don't need to be told why you're seeing the doctor. I can't see the GP minding really.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 28/06/2010 16:47

I shouldn't have bothered with my six-week check - it was literally, "how are you feeling?", "what are your plans for contraception?" - i thought it was going to be an in-depth interview and physical examination

Morloth · 28/06/2010 16:47

Not compulsory, health care can't be would be a breach of all sorts of human rights.

I didn't get around to doing it until 8 weeks when I went in for DS2's vaccinations in any case.

Haven't seen a HV since 2 weeks either, I just wander over to the outpatient's clinic at the hospital DS was born at and use their weighing room if I am curious.

gorionine · 28/06/2010 16:50

I have only been to the one after DD1. Never been told to have one for the other 3 Dcs (we moved to a different part of the country, maybe they do things differently).

expatinscotland · 28/06/2010 16:51

Mine was essential because I was seeing a consultant for my AND/PND. Also because I'd torn, needed stitches and needed GP to have a look at that.

Our contraception at that time was abstinence , but DH had to make a separate appointment to get a referral to go for snip (that referral took a while, then he had another for hte actual procedure).

slushy06 · 28/06/2010 17:04

It can't be compulsory as I was told I couldn't have one and now have endless problems that would have been picked up.

wahwah · 28/06/2010 17:07

Not compulsory, but they get paid for it, so that's what the pressure is about. Arrange for YOUR convenience.

HotSprocket · 28/06/2010 17:12

I would just make a regular doctors appointment. Bossy receptionist will never know.
I only went to mine as i was having some issues with my tear (ouch).

NormalityBites · 28/06/2010 17:26

What do people mean, the 'doctor one'? Is there another one?

I had 2 appts postnatally this time, one at 2 days and one at 8 days, no more.

stripeyknickersspottysocks · 28/06/2010 17:46

Where I am the m/w will come out and see you the day you're discharged, then at day 5, and at day 10. Plus more often if you need it. I think those appts are important to check for blood pressure and also jaundice in baby.

Then there is a GP appt at 6 weeks postnatal, where they normally press your tummy to make sure your uterus is involuted and discuss contraception. The m/w will already have check on your uterus and if you had problems with that you'd still be having heavy bleeding, in which case I'd guess you'd already have seen someone earlier. You can decide/discuss contraception another time.

LittleSilver · 28/06/2010 18:37

Argh, NOTHING is compulsory unless you are under 18 or lack capacity! Why are so many educated women ignorant of this????

Personally I'd be writing a letter to the practice manager suggesting re-education of the reception staff. Which is exactly what I did when a receptionist told me that agreeing to be filmed by the GP "was compulsory".

Think the suggestion about booking a more convenient appt for you and using it as a PN check up appt a very good one, much better than missing it because it sounds as if you do actually need the appt. But here's a tip; ask for a double appt because I remember my GP being very peeved that the receptionist hadn't booked one for one of my pn check ups.