Bringing kids to RE office

MagentaMouse

This came up in another post, so I kind of wanted to get a consensus and just see what people thought about this. Here's a little backstory: I have some weird antibodies that we thought might prevent me from getting pregnant, so I started seeing an RE before I got pregnant with my daughter. Conceiving hasn't been an issue yet, but it might be eventually once the antibodies have been around for longer, so I have continued to see her. I'm also higher risk because of a clotting disorder, so I appreciate having frequent/early ultrasounds. Anyway, when I was going through all the initial testing, scared out of my mind that I would never be able to have kids, it used to make me really sad and upset when moms would bring their kids to the RE's office. Maybe it's kind of an unwritten rule that it's bad etiquette, but plenty of people do it. What do you ladies think about it? Have you seen people do it, and how did it make you feel? Would you ever do it?

Emerald27

I think it depends on YOUR appt and on the RE's office policy. If your appt is such that DD would be difficult to manage or is inappropriate, then I would leave her with someone. If your RE requests no older children, same thing.

I enjoy involving DS in my appts and bringing him to my ultrasounds, etc. I think it's a great way to get started preparing him for a sibling. I am sorry that some women are bothered by seeing children in the RE office, but I think it is unfair for them to expect a family to find childcare for every appt. so that their feelings are spared. So I probably would not base my decision to leave DD home on what other people think (minus RE, DH, etc., of course)

...sounds really harsh or unkind, and I don't mean it to be...hope no one takes this the wrong way!

melnyg

No, I would not bring my young child to the RE.  It's hard enought to be sitting there as a patient (especially if you don't have any children yet) without having to see a toddler running around. 

 

My RE's office was in the same building as the maternity floor of the hospital and it was hard to walk by people going up to see new mom/babies in the atrium. 

AppleGrapeMSTK

Out of respect for those who are struggling to get pregnant and may be sensitive, it is understood that you should not bring your children to the RE's office.  When I made my appointment, the receptionist informed me that they had a no-kids policy, which I was expecting.

berries555

I have been lurking on this board, as I recently got my first BFP from IVF #2.  I feel it is inappropriate that people bring their young children to RE offices.  IF is a very difficult and emotional roller coaster.  

My RE has a separate waiting room for those that bring the children to their appts.  However, I was there once for a monitoring appt and someone's DH and DS were in the "NO CHILDREN" waiting room. 

DreadGamerWife

I would not bring a child with me to an RE appointment in most circumstances - unexpected school/daycare closures being the exception (ie snow closures). I had trouble being around young children and babies before we conceived and going to the RE. That said, if you must, please make sure that your appointment is well after the morning monitoring appointments.

Wishing35

There where plenty of people with children at my RE's office, I never minded. Even when I was sad that I had no children yet it never made me feel bad to see a cute little kid.

knicoletti

I have HAD to bring my son to a couple appointments.  There was nothing I could do.  I try and get someone to watch him but it does not always work out in my favor.  I always try and get the 7:30 appointment so it won't be the busiest time of day and it has never been a problem.  

We are all in there for similar reasons.  It is not like someone gifted me this toddler - I had struggles, too.  And I am back here because I am still struggling.  

I have seen other women bring in their toddlers and was never bothered by it.  Jealous maybe but was not upset.  

bennikki

Nope, no kids at the RE.  Even if it's not an actual rule of the clinic (which in most cases it is), it's in poor taste.  My RE was two hours away, and I'd often have friends or family ride with me to the clinic.  One time my sister and infant niece came, and they waited in the optometrist's waiting room on a different floor.  Was it inconvenient?  Totally, but was it respectful and sensitive?  Absolutely, and I know my sister wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

OB office is fine to bring kids to.

ANGnJON

I must agree with the pp stating that the RE office is NOT a place for children. The policy of my RE in NO children. Having been a patient there for a full year I can assure you that the last thing I want to see when I walk into my appointment is a toddler / child! During life in general we come across these situations which is fine but, when you are in the setting of the RE office I find it be unacceptable. I feel it is disrespectful for those of us having a difficult time TTC.

trisharenee0316

Not the place for kids.  I agree with previous posters on this.  And honestly, I get the fact that it's hard to manage RE appointments and getting sitters or what not if you have other kids.  I am in the same boat.  But I would have felt like someone kicked me in the crotch if I saw a baby in a RE's office waiting room.  

I've been to two different RE clinics and both have had no child policies.  At my first clinic, this was absolutely respected and no one brought their kids at all.  At my current clinic, I see children in there all the time.  Despite the fact that there's a sign next to the elevator before you go upstairs to the clinic asking people to make alternative childcare arrangements.  I get needing to take your kids occasionally, but every effort should be made to avoid being insensitive or disruptive to women who might be happy they're coming to one place where they can ostensibly not have kids in their faces.