This Is Going to Sound Stupid

My OB/GYN actually had a TV in the exam rooms for such occassions. She just flipped on some cartoons and my 2 yr old never even realized anything else was going on!

I had a baby 4 months ago and i took my son to the obgyn when i couldn't find a sitter, he was actually in the room when my water broke. I parked the stroller next to me so that he didn't have a view of what was going on. Hope it helps.

I think it will be okay. Like you said he will be in the stroller, so he can't touch anything. He is too young to remember anything or be scared by it. I imagine he will be fascinated. Please do not freak out, life is too short!

Hi C.,
Don't worry your little angel won't even be looking at you or your OBGyn. I'm sure all the gadgets and lights in the room will keep him busy. My son didn't seem to notice anything.
Good luck.

This is not stupid @ all. I have been there. Maybe not a gyno appt but I did have an appt one time and had to take my daughter with me. Hopefully you will be as lucky as I was and the doctor's office you are going to will have a great front desk staff that will keep an eye on him while you have your appt. When I had to go with my daughter they let her color and kept her occupied and she never even knew I was gone. Good luck!

I had to bring my 3yr old with me way back when I was pregnant with my son. I parkerd her stroller up near my head and spoke with her during the exam. She never even realized the DR was poking around down there.

Not sure how old your child is, my daughter is 2 1/2... I have taken my daughter to the OB/GYN before when I didn't have a sitter. It wasn't such a big deal and my doctor didn't even bat an eye. I would just try to sit him to your side and talk with him during the exam to distract him. Also, a brand new book or small toy that you give him just before the doctor gets in the room will be sure to occupy him. It will be okay, hang in there.

Not stupid at all! I've taken my daughter to many ob/gyn appts. Recently I've had a bunch of internal ultrasounds and brought my 24 month old daughter. Half the time she was in the stroller and I just positioned the stroller so she was on the side of me and just talked to her during the exam. Then she wouldn't go in the stroller so I have her stradle my tummy facing me and it worked out fine. In my experience the internal ultrasounds are quick, so it wasn't bad at all.

Hope this helps.

honestly, i don't think a 19 month old will register the events at the ob's office as "weird". remember, in some sense everything is "weird" to him... but in a good way because he's exploring and discovering the world with an open mind. he's not laden with adult hang-ups yet. it'll be as interesting and as meaningful to him as figuring out how to open a twist top container. if YOU'RE feeling weird about it then make sure to keep his stroller facing you so he has his back on all the action.

Hi C. - It is not stupid - I have been there, too. Trust me, it is weirder for you than for your child. I am sure the doctor will be discreet and put a sheet over your knees, etc. Just bring some books and snacks - your son will be way more interested in them than you. Especially if you don't make a big deal when they are doing the exam. I just would talk to my son and ask him what he was looking at in the book, etc to keep him interested in what's in front of him. Good luck!

I really wouldn't worry about it too much. He's very young, and you can position him so he's up near your head without the "view". I know it feels weird, but just make light of it, and tell the baby that the doctor needs to make sure Mommy's ok. Talk to him normally while it is going on, to keep him occupied and show him that it is no big deal. As a single mother who did not live near family, I have had to take my son most everywhere when he was very small too, and recently to the doctor, but I made little of it, and told him the doctor was for me, not him. We also brought him a couple of his little trains to play with. It also teaches him that it is ok to see the doctor, and I think it helps them understand that it is not always about getting a shot.

It's not a stupid question at all. I've taken my daughter to all of my appts and she's now 3. She sits in her stroller at the head of the table. I give her plenty of books, small toys and snacks to keep her occupied.

I did!!! My son was ok to a point. He asked alot of questions like why do I have to put this robe on and why am I sitting like that. But the doctor was really quick because she knew I felt funny. I brought toys for him to play. But you'll be fine.

Hi C.

Dont worry, I had to take my 14 month old to my obgyn appt and usually they have curtain they close during the check up so your son wont have to look at it !!! . Good luck :-)

Hi C.,
In my experience the internal ultrasound is not a big deal, your covered with a sheet, not at all exposed, the tech doesn't even have to take a look, they just put the tool in and let it do the looking. I don't think it should be a problem as long as you think your son will be OK sitting in the stroller for 10 or 15 minutes while they work on you (it's not like you can jump up and give him his Nuk if he drops it :). I had my almost 2 yr old son with me and he was fine. Good Luck!
H.

First, this question is sooo not stupid! I had to take my daughter to my 2nd follow up to my obgyn after I had her. The nurses were great, they held her through my exam. While I was waiting for my appt., I just hung out & tried to keep my little one occupied. My sister has also taken her daughter to the obgyn's office and again the nurses were awesome & wanted to hold her. Good luck and try not to worry, I was really nervous when I arrived but chilled out after I realized there was just no other option & it was going to be just fine!

Yep been there....except my son was 4 at the time. He went to every appt that I had to go to. I just had him stay by my head and "hold my hand". He's even gone to my reg annual appts since I had my daughter (he was 5 at the last one). I just have him play on the floor while she is doing what she has to do. Your son will have no idea whats going on so I wouldn't worry. Give him a toy and a snack to occupy him and he will be fine. The u/s only takes a few minutes if that so don't worry. He won't be scared for life.

I hope that helps.

Dear C.,

My kids are grown now but I never had anyone to call to help with them, so I had to take them with me for everything! What you need to do is tell him that you are going to the doctor for a check up (so he understands that the visit is for you and not for him). At the doctor's office, he doesn't need to see what position you are in. You can have the stroller at your side, by your head, facing you. Be sure to have things in the stroller for him to play with and the exam will be over before he even knows what's going on. My email is ____@____.com if you need someone to share any other things with. Good luck!

I have had to take my son with me before when I couldn't find a sitter. He is 22 months. I even had to take my older son (who at the time was 4 going on 5) to an appt with me when I was pregnant because I didn't know anyone to ask to watch him (we were new in town). It is more uncomfortable for you than it is for them. Especially at that age. As long as you are not freaking out, he won't either.

It's not stupid..I have two suggestions.
Ask someone to go with you, if they cannot sit they can at least go along and keep Joey busy in the lobby while you are with Doc.

#2...the receptioinst can keep an eye on him for a few minutes while you are with doc...they actually are very nice about that sort of thing. Just take a few toys for her to wave at him.

Just remember you're not the first person this happened to any they are professionals there to help you and make your visit smooth and painless.
Good luck.

I have a 10 month old and I'm due in dec...so I know I'll be taking a 14 month old with me to the pediatrician while new sister gets her shots etc....(rolls eyes)-lol.
Take care.
K.

It's not stupid, I had a similar situation, but it was the dentist. I would assume that the office should be set up in a way that you can face him away from the doc but so he can see you and that you are ok and then he should be fine. Don't worry it happens to the best of us! Good luck.

C.,
I have done this with my son when he was much younger and more recently for my OB check-ups (I am pregnant again). I try to explain to him what the doctor is doing (checking the baby) so he is not afraid they are hurting me (I made the mistake once of taking him to the dentist while for a quick sealant...NOT a good idea!) Oh, and make sure you bring the stroller to "contain" him for your visit. I forgot at the last visit and was worried he was going to tear the place apart! Good luck!

My daughter has been with me twice for my follow up appointments after her birth. At the last one she was only 3 mos old and I actually nursed her while the doc was going his thing. Yes, it was really wierd and awkward so I know how you feel. I think it's just one of those things that you just have to get over and deal with....kind of like standing in line at the supermarket and realizing you have baby puke on your shirt and banana in your hair ;) I would just call and let the nurse know he will be with you and perhaps someone in reception could entertain him if he is not content to sit in his stroller and definitely bring extra toys. The PA's were very nice to my daughter and even offered to hold her while I was getting my exam. Good luck.

Yes I took my 20 month old with me ob gyn app. I brought his favorite toys and snacks for him. It kept him occupied. But dont freak out he will really not have a clue whats going on. Just make sure once in the room you put him where he can see you, so if he starts to fuss he can hear and see you.

Hi C.,
I have taken my daughter to a few of the appts at my OBGYN and they just put the stroller right next to you with the baby facing you and you talk to him while they do the exam its not a big deal. I am sure that there are many moms who have had to bring their kids also so dont feel like its a stupid thing to ask.

Have him in the stroller and face the stroller away from you. Make sure he has a toy/book to keep him busy. Or, don't give him a snack before hand, feed him early, and then tell him if he's a good boy, you have a special treat for him that he can have when the dr. sees you. and have the back of the stroller to u and hopefully he will be happy with his special treat.

If worse comes to worse and he takes a peek, don't get freaked out. Just explain that drs. have to do those things, only drs. I'm sure your not the first in this situation, the dr. will be emphatic to this situation, he can stand a certain way so that the exam will be out of Joey's eyesight.

Good luck, hope you exam goes well.

Everytime I've ever gone to the obgyn, there are at least 3 mommies with their kids, and yes, they bring them in. I don't know if I would, but if you've got no choice, you know what you gotta do. Good luck, hope he behaves while youre in there!

Not stupid at all. I have actually taken my son to the ob/gyn with me. There are a couple of options, you could have him sit in his stroller if the room is big enough, or you can actually hold him. These are two things that I have done which worked out pretty well. When I held him, I must admit he was a little younger than 19 months. You should be fine. The actually exam doesnt last that long. Make sure you bring his favourite toy.

Don't worry, the doctors are used to it, it happens all the time! My mother just yesterday was teling me about taking not one but TWO kids to the ob/gyn, imagine that!!! My little sister and I were 13 months apart, so there we all were, with mom's legs all up etc., and amen we don't remember a thing! LOL The blessing is the doc's usually have you wear that paper napkin thing, so if you have the stroller up by the top part of your body, all your son will see is your head/arms and your knees covered by paper :) he probably won't think twice about that doctor person at the other end, since he won't see his face when the doctor's doin' his thang.... LOL

C.,

Your little guy is really too young for this to be too major an issue. My son is three now, and about a year ago, I started having to take him with me to all of my OB appointments through my last pregnancy. He was there for everything, stress tests, internal exams, ultrasounds, you name it. It wasn't a big deal. Just bring him a sippy cup, a little snack he can have in his stroller and a couple of little toys. He'll be busy and not really paying attention to you.

The one caveat to that is that you not yell, or cringe or anything. That's the one thing that would upset my son. If he though whatever the Dr. was doing to me was hurting me he'd cry.

Jess

It's not a stupid question. I've had to take my son with me once. I just made him sit on the chair facing me on the table so he wouldn't have to see what was going on. I talked with him and let the doctor do what she needed to do. He was only 2 at the time so it wasn't hard to keep him entertained.

Good Luck.

Hi C.,
When I was pregnant with my 2nd I had to bring my then two and a half yr old son with me. What I did when they had to examine me was had him sit in a chair by the head of the table. He did it and it was just fine. Good luck.
S.

Not stupid at all. I have a 3 yr old and a one yr old. Since I was new to the state at the time of my needed surgery, my children came multiples times to the urologist. The young guy had no idea what was going on and the nurses kept him occupied with the crayons that I brought, while in the room. No fears..it will not cause any long term damage:)

Kelley

Hey C.!

Been there done that!!! I had to bring my daughter to ob appointments during my second pregnancy. Some were just quick checks others were internals. My advice, bring a snack and a few quiet toys to keep him distracted. If he will stay in the stoller even better. Amanda wouldn't.

Good luck!

H.

Yup, I do it all the time. I have one next week and my 2 1/2 yr old daughter is coming with me and I think she's been to almost all of my 6 month check ups since she was born. My OBGYN likes to see how much she grows every 6 months! Just bring books and snacks and a drink for him and just alot of stuff to keep him occupied. He's not going to know or understand what's going on. Just make sure he's by your head! And talk to him normally as if nothing was going on. Good luck!

C.,

This is definitely not a stupid question. I did it with my kids years ago and even took them with me when they were older for my regular weekly appointments so that they can see the baby and/or hear the heartbeat. My doctor liked having the kids there and involved, plus with a toddler it gets you in and out faster. Your son is still a toddler, he won't know what the doctor is doing to Mommy. Hopefully he will get to hear the baby's heartbeat and will have a better understanding of Mommy having a baby in her belly.

Hugs,
T.

just saw you went, glad it worked out!

Hey there. Not a stupid question at all. :)
I think that your son is too young to really notice what's going on. If I imagine my 20 month old with me on an appointment, he probably would not pay much attention...even if he did he's really young enough to forget. I would not take my 4 year old with me, no matter what. too many questions and stuff...but at your sons age I think it's really fine. Just bring some things to distract him.

Hope it goes well. :)

It's not Stupid, I took my son with me when he was younger and normally one of the nurses would take him while I was being exam. By the way there are no stupid questions when your're a mom.

ok what iv seen other mothers doing was putting the child in the stroller and facing them in the other direction while everything is going on or may be your doc office has a nurse that will sit with him for 10 mins or so ....bring a toy or 2 that he can play with them and maybe that will work.....let me know how you make out...

It's not stupid at all.....I had to do the same thing. Don't worry - your Ob/Gyn is probably so used to it. They are the ones that deliver these babies, so they know they are part of the deal. I went to my 6 week post-birth exam with my infant son. Doctor wasn't phased a bit. I had to wait so long for him to come into the exam room that I had to breastfeed my son while I waited. He came in and started the exam while I was still nursing. I finished, put the baby on my lap and before I knew it, it was all over.

I had to bring my 2 1/2 year old when I was pregnant with my son and she sat on my lap too. (No luck keeping her in a chair reading a book!!) It was really no big deal. I asked the same question to some of my friends and they have done it too, so it's probably more common than you think. Inconvenient, yes, but certainly not unheard of.

It is what it is - and you have no choice but to bring your son. Don't stress it. Besides - these people are in the baby business! Good luck!!

Not at all stupid. I took my 17 month old son along (in compact stroller) and faced him the other way with snacks and his favorite truck. Fortunately the appt was quick enough that he wasn't a bother. The doctor's office was more the accomodating with me bringing my child along to the appt.

Ginny

Hey my name is A., im a 25 yr old mom and wife. Ive been married for 3 years now too. My daughter just turned 2 this week. I live in PJS too! Anyways, I didnt take my daughter with me when I went this past visit to my doc. I thought it would be totally weird and freak her out to see me up on the table getting an exam. The only thing I can think of is maybe turnign him around in the stroller so he couldnt see you, with soem toys or books to distract him, unless you can find a last minute babysitter. best of luck,
A.