So we moved to Denton and of course switched Dr's. Took my baby to the new Dr. for another round of immunizations, etc... and when he went to check out her privates, he first didn't tell me he was going to do it before he did it, and secondly he was NOT wearing gloves when he checked out her privates, nor did he wash his hands when he cames into the room with us.
My previous Dr. just opened the diaper and looked and this doctor spreads it all out with his hand and then looks.
He didn't linger or anything, and I'm not suggesting anything inappropriate took place, but this is so odd to me and it made me feel uncomfortable. I'm not one of the people who is ashamed or embarassed about sexual body parts, so its nothing like that either.
I'm assuming he washed his hands before he came into the room, but idk for sure.
Am I out of line to ask him to wear gloves next time?
Has anyone else had a Dr. that doesn't wear gloves when checking out kid's privates?
Re: Peditrician DIDN'T wear gloves...
My pedi has never worn gloves for exams, but he ALWAYS washes his hands in front of me before he even begins. He would always open the diaper and feel for hernias. At DS's 2 year checkup he checked to make sure his testicles had completely descended, that was it, it was like 2 seconds.
If your uncomfortable, I'd ask him to wear gloves or wash his hand at the very least. I'd have a problem with not washing his hands. Even if he did it before, it's till nice to actually see them do it.
This.
This.
And, as far as spreading it all out and looking, they are checking to be sure the labia are not stuck together. Yes, they can fuse together leaving little to no opening and cause an issue for DD. It's uncommon, but our Pedi checks too.
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This. And like some of the others said, he was probably checking for labial adhesions. DD#1 had that and it was no big deal, but it can be painful for potty training if you don't take care of it.
This...but he uses hand sanitizer in the room before he touches DS anywhere.
Mom to Carter (6), and Calianne (1).
Proud VBAC, natural birth, breastfeeding, cloth diapering momma!
This!
i actually left my first pediatrician because i didn't like her private practice. she was the pedi assigned by the hospital for the first checkup and we kept her because her office was convenient. but she would not leave ds's junk alone. she tried to pull back the foreskin at the 4 month appt and that was it for me (she had other issues too, but that was probably the one that bothered me the most).
neither she nor our current pedi wear gloves, but they always washed their hands upon entering the room. if it makes you uncomfortable, there's no harm in asking what their policy is in the office. maybe you can speak to the office manager rather than the dr?
This. Only Dr is a he. He always washes coming in and going out.
That's part of the exam they do for well child. They have to make sure the circ is doing okay, and if there wasn't a circ, they have to make sure that there isn't signs of infection and that the foreskin retracts okay. They also have to check to make sure the testicles descended and stay that way. DS's pedi still does this check, and I expect him to.
This.
The spreading apart doesn't bother me, I understand that needs to take place, but what did bothered me about his doing this wasn't the action but the fact he wasn't wearing gloves and that I did not see him wash his hands in the room. I will definitely say something at my next appointment, but if he doesn't wash his hands as soon as he comes into the room, before he touches her I'll tell him to wear gloves or wash his hands. Thanks for the info!
This. But she doesn't really touch either, just takes a look.