have you brought your toddler to OB appts?

CHI-06

I have an appt this Friday and so far no one to watch my daughter... have you brought your kid before?  How did that go?  I am not sure if I will have an u/s or not either...

Telyco

Yep, sort of. I have brought DS...but he's still a baby. DH came too, though...and I had an internal - so that was a little strange.

I would bring him alone if I needed to (which will happen at some point since we have no family around) and just give him some toys to play with on the floor.

Garfield28

I bring my 2-yr old to all my OB appointments...but my husband also comes as well so he can watch him and try to keep him from running and screaming around the office! :-)

howleyshell

I've taken TWO toddlers to an OB appt alone - complete with dild-cam u/s.

Call and ask.

My OB's office was great about it and encouraged me to bring them.

The ultrasonographer obviously had some experience with this as she gave them each a chair that I could reach while laying down and a book each.  She engaged them in conversation and told them to watch the TV screen near the ceiling.  They sat perfectly still for her and I was able to pay attention to what she and I needed to do.

My OB went and got 2 small rocking chairs for them to sit/play in while he and I discussed some important stuff.

Not my idea of fun but sometimes you do what you need to.

I'm glad my OB's office is so supportive and understanding. 

 

bim38106

yep. twice.

First appt., DH was there. DD flipped out and only I could hold her. Of course they did an internal and I was laying there holding DD on my belly.. awkward!

Second time was 2 weeks ago. Again, DD thought we were seeing her doctor maybe? Was hysterical but my OB talked to her nicely and gave her a glove "balloon". DD calmed down enough to sit on the floor next to me while I (figures) had to have another internal.

And my BP was up because of her screaming.

I won't be bringing her again unless I absolutely have to.

iowagirl73

I have once because I didn't have anyone to watch him.  I kept him strapped in his umbrella stroller during the actual appointment.

Halo79RN

dd went to every single prenatal appt I had for ds.  we had no family around, ds was working. I would bring her in the stroller, schedule appts early, and pack plenty of snacks and distractions in case the ob was called away and we had a long wait.  my ds has been to gyn appts since. the only appt I have not had a least one kid with me in the last 3 years was when the iud was placed... they sat in dh's office with him .  his grad students loved it...

AshleyKimberlyn

I did it once and won't do it again (unless I have someone else with me to watch him).  Dr tried hearing the heartbeat with the doppler and DS thought she was killing me or something.  He FREAKED OUT and started screaming.  He would not stop crying and she couldn't hear anything.  I was so embarrassed. 

emas

I've only brought her when my husband was along - I just don't think that she'd sit still long enough.  Maybe for a plain old appointment, but def not for a u/s or an internal.  But, I do see other folks bringing their little ones in.

abj22

Yes, I bring her every time. She used to scream when the nurse took my B/P but she's getting better with that. I've had 3 u/s and DH came to two of them. Honestly I don't mind bringing her. It isn't really a big deal because the appointments are never more than 10-15 min.?

DaisyAdair

I've had them both there with me.  Alone.  As soon as I walk in, nurses and office staff run out to help me.  My kids have spent more time hanging out in the staff lounge with the doctors, I'm convinced they could work there! 

I've even had to take them both to L&D with me alone if something happened after hours. 

They're all so used to seeing us there and I've gotten to know all of them that I have no problem having an hour-long NST or a 40mn BPP and u/s while they hang with the doctors and nurses.

They're like family now.  The other day, I drove by the OB office and my 2yr old pointed and said, "Dr E!  See, Dr E is there!"  

 

MamaBrooke

I took DS1 to one prenatal appt and it was a disaster. My OB is ALWAYS running late and that time was no exception. We waited almost 2 hrs before I saw my doctor. My son was good for the first hour or so, but after that, he was not a happy camper.

If your OB is usually on time then I wouldn't really worry. Just bring snacks, toys, etc to keep dc occupied.

LauraandMatt

I have had to as we have no one around and DH has trouble taking off work as he is new to the company. He also freaks when the nurse takes my BP, but as long as I hold him (yes picture a 19 month old laying on my chest and the dr has the doppler on my 32 week bump) he is okay.  The dr does run late and those appts are hell for me.  FOrtunately my mom's group just started a babysitting exchange b/c next week we start internals and I am not bringing him anymore!!

soon2Bmrspower

DS#1 went to every single prenatal appointment I had while pregnant with DS#2 with no problems at all. I take him in the stroller. My OB also does ultrasounds at every appointment and that wasn't a problem either. Some appointments DH was there, but most he was not. Either way, it worked out fine. He sat in his stroller played with toys, had a snack, or just watched the doctor/nurses.

HarrietNJMommy

Yup, and I've even brought both girls when I was PG with DS. My OB's office is kid-friendly though, and they understand.

MattsWifey<3

Yes, she has come to every appointment. I SAH and no one here to watch her. My MIL is close but 15mins in the totally opposite direction of my OB. Just doesn't make sense to go there for a 30min appt.

Usually, the nurses just hold onto her while I am in with the OB. They love her. 

MNheidi

I brought both of mine - I gave them a bottle during the time I really wanted to talk to the dr (they're done w/ bottles but I use them when I need to).  Max has been to a couple drs lately for stitches so he really didn't like to see them take my blood pressure (he cried) but for the most part it was pretty easy.

Also, I think they saw our entourage and made sure to get the dr in asap - we were out the door in 20 min

 

good luck

NR722

DD comes to all my ob appts with me.  i have off on wednesdays so that makes the most sense to schedule my appts, but i don't want to have someone watch DD since it's my day to spend with her.  She does great, i put her in her stroller and bring books and other things to keep her occupied.