Do you take rectal temps?

Stephrm1231

Our doctor said no rectal temps but last night when his under arm temp was creeping into the mid 99s we resorted to trying a rectal before we went to the ER. Rectal temp was 99 even.

Some docs say it's outdated and not to do rectal temps but then I've heard some docs suggest doing it that way all the time. What do your docs recommend?

I can't help but feel guilty that we did the rectal temp at home and then worried that maybe we hurt him...even though there are no signs of being hurt. I'm a worry wart!

Andreabills

We have a digital one from the hospital that goes under her arm but we also have a temple one that my pedi said was good too.

fish8412

Our pediatrician said we can do rectal or under the arm so we will definitely be doing under the arm at home.

cdnmomma

Underarm only as per hospital and pedi.

BabiesFTW

Wth. I just did a rectal temp today. I didn't know it was outdated. I always heard it was the most accurate.
Sigh. Motherhood is confusing.

Stephrm1231

@BabiesFTW‌ I agree! I should have never googled it. Stupid google!

lalaith50

BabiesFTW said:

Wth. I just did a rectal temp today. I didn't know it was outdated. I always heard it was the most accurate. Sigh. Motherhood is confusing.

this! My doctor said it's the most accurate! Argh...

BTBergstrom

My pedi said armpit first and if it is high then rectal. I haven't even taken her temp yet though. Should I be???

mrsdahamm

Our pedi said rectal is most accurate until 6 months so we (well... I ) have been doing that. But this week when he felt hot I went ahead and used the temporal (forehead) one.

KariB509

Outdated? Not only did my pedi say it was the most accurate way to take a temperature but so did several nurses at the children's hospital Julia was at when she had a high fever. They did want me to know that you only insert it 1/4-1/2 an inch. I think doctors steer people away from it because they insert it too far!
That being said, I take the temp under the arm first and if it's high, then do it rectally because it's more accurate.
Also, 99 isn't considered a fever. Anything above 100.4 is. At least thats what I've read and been told.

SurpriseAt39

FarmBoysWife said:

I don't like foreign objects shoved up my ass without permission, so I'm not doing it to lo.

^^ this.
And I only take temps in the ears.
I personally find it the easiest on a squirmy baby AND a preteen or adult.

karacakes98

We have any awesome temporal thermometer. It's super quick and accurate, but it wasn't cheap ($50). Totally worth every penny!

luvmybundle

Not sure why some docs only recommend rectal. We rarely do rectal temps unless necessary. Axillary (armpit) is fine unless the reading is too high or too low. Then you might want to do rectal since it's more accurate for core body temp. It's not a fun thing to do/have done to you if there isn't a big concern.

theluckiest9

We have a temporal thermometer and our doc was ok with that. I also have a traditional digital that we can do underarm if need be.

huskymomma94

I have always done rectal. The pedi said it was the most accurate. I have a safety baby rectal thermometer that makes it hard to put in too far. It takes two seconds to get a temp, and my baby doesn't even react. I don't see what the big deal is. 

sebullows

I have a temporal thermometer too and I love it. It's the same one my pedi uses at their office. Levi's only ever had 1 rectal temp and that was in the nursery as soon as he was born. They did the rest under his armpit in the hospital.

ladyglittersparkles

karacakes98 said:

We have any awesome temporal thermometer. It's super quick and accurate, but it wasn't cheap ($50). Totally worth every penny!

This. Except my sister gifted us it.

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Stephrm1231

We will probably never do it again. And to be quite honest I mentioned that I think we should do it if his aux is still 99 after I shower only because I know that's the first thing they would do if we went into the ER. I took a shower and DH did it without telling me. So now every little change in his bowels and behavior scares the crap out of me. Not worth it at all to me. But again I'm a super anxious crazy mom!