STM's Bringing kid/kids to prenatal appointment.

kellyfo14

So this is a first for me. I am unable to find someone to watch my 3 and 4 year old during my next prenatal appointment due to their office rescheduling on me and I am thinking I am going to have to bring them. They are really fantastic kids(especially when they are in a new place) and would be very good listeners, quiet and interested in hearing the heartbeat and such. The question is should I reschedule or just go for it and bring them along? It is a quick visit, bp, listen to the heartbeat etc.

rayna912

I bring my 5 y/o with me to almost all appointments. She is well behaved like you described your kiddos. She gets super excited to hear the heartbeat, sometime she even gets to help by putting the "jello" on my belly (that's what she calls it). If it's just the simple short visit, I don't see the harm.

elleswarth

I would bring my daughter if I was in the same position. I don't think many offices care, especially ones that are helping you bring another child in to the world... You would think they would be the most understanding. And if your kids are well behaved, then I really wouldn't worry!

llambrose

I would just bring them.  I have not brought my daughter to one yet but I would if I needed to.  I see tons of kids being brought to appointments at my doctor's office and no one seems to mind.

BackseatDriver

I brought my son to an appointment and it was NBD

Mrs_Bennett

I brought my boys (2 and 4) to an appointment maybe a month or so ago. They were well behaved, and nobody minded that they came along. I think my doctor kind of liked meeting them.

Pips09

I'd just bring them. I've only had to do it once, but it was no big deal.

kellyfo14

Love you all, thank you, you confirmed what I was thinking.

Lanatir

My 2.5 year old has been at almost every appointment with me.  Last time around when we met the newest midwife hired by the OB practice (yeah, OBs and midwives working together haha), she had DD "help" find the heartbeat of her little sister and then got to listen to her heartbeat on the doppler, too.  What's funny is going from hearing DD2's HB, DD1 thought the doppler would go on her belly.  haha.

I think in general most offices, even if they try to discourage you bringing kids, know that not everyone can 100% of the time NOT bring the kids.  Well behaved ones, especially, shouldn't be too big of a problem, but you could always call and ask if you are really concerned.

mmooki

I've brought dd a few times. It's usually not a big deal. I bring snacks for her

ellasmama18

I bring my 4 year old every time. She does great.

MrsT0514

I bring my 23month old to pretty much every single appt. My OB was the one who delivered him so she always enjoys seeing him and.the rest of the staff is quite used to patients having kids at appts with them so its NBD. I'm a SAHM and have no sitter, so my kid is pretty much my copilot. I havent had any dr's office mind that he's with me.

BookitBoo

I've brought DS. He's a little wild but the OB was really good with him. She let him hold her tape measure and when he said the baby on the poster was 'trapped' she talked to him about how babies live in mommy's tummy.

I'd find a different OB if they had issues with women bringing children to routine visits

longcat07

i would bring them, especially if they're well-behaved kids.  i also try to schedule my appointments for times when i know SO will be home so i don't have to take DS with me, but i have had to take him with me once.  my OB office has zero kid-friendly things in the waiting area and i almost never see other children there, but the receptionist, nurses, and my OB were all very engaging with him and he actually had a great time, and he can be a little rowdy at times.  my OB even had him come up and "help" her with the doppler when doing my belly check.

TXUltraRunner

I would inquire about the dr policy. My clinic only allows one other person in with the patient even if that person is a child

Jellybean707

I bring DS with me to all of my appointments he is 2 1/2 and they do a  really good job of engaging him. They let him "help" take my blood pressure, take his weight, and let him push the button on the doppler.

For good measure, I also bring a snack, a toy, and remind him that if he behaves well there is a lolly pop at the end of the visit. No problems so far

moonfaerie

While it's not my preference to bring all of my kids, I have done it and it was fine. Taking two isn't that bad - sometimes I take my 2 and 4 year olds while my oldest is in school, so that I don't have to bug the grandmoms for more babysitting. I have had to take all three though when I couldn't get an appointment on a school day (she only goes 3x a week) and it worked out.

The main reason I prefer not to do it is how much work it is to load everyone in and out of the car for such a short time. lol

stephchris0321

I bring DS (who will be 3 in February) to most of my OB appointments. My doctor is really flexible and cool with it. That works out really well for me because I leave work, pick up DS from daycare and head straight to my appts (which are usually around 4:00 or 4:30 pm).

BookitBoo

Am I the only one with a wild almost 3 year old?

Even when he's good he's loud and takes up a lot of space. He's the sweetest boy but you don't forget he's in the room.

LuckyPenny1231

I bring my 2.5 year old to every appt (Except ultrasounds) I'm a SAHM so I don't have child care otherwise.

It's stressful having her with and she doesn't listen very well but it is what it is.

longcat07

BookitBoo said:

Am I the only one with a wild almost 3 year old? Even when he's good he's loud and takes up a lot of space. He's the sweetest boy but you don't forget he's in the room.

this is how DS is (but he's 4.5).  it's a challenge to keep him sitting in the chair in the waiting room (rather than climbing over or under them), even if i bring a toy or snack, and i think he only has one volume setting (loud).  they still managed to do a good job with him when i had to take him with me the one time.  they must get more kids in there than i get to witness.

LooneyLife

FTM here but there are always women at my OB with their kids. She even has stickers and prizes for them "if they're good" (every kid gets them).

cassied7

I bring my 19 month old to every appointment. He used to cry when I would get on the table, but now he just sits and waits patiently. I will probably drop him off at DHs work when they start doing cervical checks though, as I remember them being painful enough where I cried, and I don't want him to watch.

LaBellaVida

I'd bring them. If you know they won't be a problem, they'll be fine.

I have brought my 17 month old (he was like 13 or 14 months when I took him) and he was fine. It's such a short visit.

I won't bring him to my NST appts though.

snowbaby1214

DD is 7 and has come with me to almost every appointment (she does have school).  They were nice enough to take her to the desk and color w/ her for my internal.

csjsmom

My kids always come. But I see my family doctor who is also their doctor.

kellimark

I don't bring DS who is 2.5. But that's because he doesn't sit still. So I drop him off at gma's which is nice.
But if I didn't have any options he would go with me.

Mom2anAngel2

I bring my almost 2 year old to all of my appointments. The nurses love him. I usually bring a snack, drink and favorite toy or book for entertainment. He usually very good.

MNgirl326

I have brought my son to a few appointments.  Its no biggie.  I have netflix on my phone and he watches Jake the pirate on my phone.  it works just fine.  

Jellybean707

BookitBoo said:

Am I the only one with a wild almost 3 year old? Even when he's good he's loud and takes up a lot of space. He's the sweetest boy but you don't forget he's in the room.

I feel you on this. My DS does fine at the prenantal appts but DH had to take him out in the lobby half way through our anatomy scan because DS was so turned up. I didn't bring him to my repeat scan. I think it has to do with the length of time it takes for him to get bored.

moonfaerie

BookitBoo said:

Am I the only one with a wild almost 3 year old? Even when he's good he's loud and takes up a lot of space. He's the sweetest boy but you don't forget he's in the room.

My 4yo doesn't let people forget she's in the room, either. She's good enough, but usually will not be quiet. I put the 4 and 2yo in a double stroller, otherwise the 2yo will climb all over everything. I give them books to look at, which works ok, but my 4yo will "read" out loud to herself or sing songs instead. I wish she'd be quieter, but I tell myself the staff has seen worse.

tanya_erin

The only time I wouldn't take my kids is when I know they're going to do an internal exam or anything like that. Would be a bit awkward if they threw a temper tantrum.

rodiesmum

I tag my toddler along in all of my appointments. My doc entertains her and is more than happy to talk to her abt the baby. After all she was also my OB for DDs delivery. And even if it was her alternated reliever I didn't encounter any probs bec they are happy to have some kids around

GromMom

I'd bring them if it was the ob but not for radiology for a milestone ultrasound, those folks aren't necessarily as kid friendly and they have a short period of time to take a lot of photos. The midwives ategreatwith kids where i I go.

sanbry

I've had to bring my almost 3 year old to a few of my appts. She's usually pretty good and the doctors and nurses get a kick out of her.

bustysinclare

My daughter was 3 when she had to come to a few appointments - the nurses and staff enjoy her, my doc seems much friendlier when shes not there - its no big deal to bring them I dont think, my doc would never say anything. I understand - its more focused without the disctraction but what can you do, really?

 

lana22

i try not to bring mine but i have an u/s at almost every visit. i brought them once when i was only seeing the dr and it was fine. it was fun for the nurses and u/s tech to meet them, but bringing them every time would be draining for me, especially since i'm now going every week. i'm lucky to have family close by who usually watches them during my visits.

lavet22

I've brought DS2 (4yrs) and DS3 (2yrs) to about half of my appts.  My office understands and it's never been an issue.  The only thing I really try not to bring them for is exams.

SpaceGirlSpiff

I don't usually need to since my appointments are first thing in the morning before work and H will take DS to daycare, but I had to take him on Veteran's day when his daycare was closed.

It wasn't a big deal at all.... and he's a very rambunctious 3 year old.  But since it was quick and he was actually on pretty good behavior, nothing bad happened...nurses and doctors were great with him too...the doc let him squeeze the gel stuff on my tummy and push the button to turn on the heartrate doppler .... he really enjoyed that.

Britt1406

Since you said they are good and with their age, I'd say if it is a routine appt and no cervical check, I'd bring them. The one time I thought I might have to bring my son, I asked about it ahead of time and they said it wouldn't be a problem. I ended up not having to bring him though. 

ZKLBM0618

Bring them! I bring my little girl with me to my appointments all of the time... The midwife and doctor love it