Kids at the RE office?

Austrogermokee · August 2014

Does anyone's RE have policies about bringing kids to appointments? Mine has a "no children in the waiting area" policy, but I've noticed it gets flouted a lot (there's always at least one baby, and one time there were two kids playing in the lobby while their parents were meeting with the doctor).

How do you feel about no-kid policies at RE offices? Should there be a rule, and if so, how should it be enforced?

Davie813 · August 2014

Mine has a kids-allowed policy. They share an office complex with a pediatrician, so I think they decided that keeping kids away from their patients was an exercise in futility.

I guess I see it both ways. I can absolutely understand why patients don't want to see babies and small children, and I think people should do absolutely everything in their power to be sensitive to that and keep their kids at home.

Then again, secondary infertility is very, very common, and life happens. One unfortunate day when a mistake with the delivery of some meds happened to coincide with the emergency closing of DD's daycare, I had to take her in with me to get them. There was truly nobody else to watch her. I felt terrible about it and obviously don't plan to do it again, but--it happens.

ETA: As far as enforcing policies if they exist goes, I don't know. On the day I mention, I was already pretty much at the end of my rope (it was not an ideal time to take an unplanned day off work and watch DD, plus I was already stressed and emotional about starting injectables and all the drama entailed in getting them), and to be slapped with a fine or something--or even a reprimand--would have made me lose it.

Obviously, though, I'm working from the assumption that people bring kids only when they have no other choice, and I'm sure that's not true. Some people are just jerks...

lgsdesigner · August 2014

I have no experience personally with a RE's office, however, I think it would be more wise to have a play room that is separate from the main waiting room where kids can go. They can be watched by a person that works for the RE's office (like a licensed childcare provider), and the kids can play happily in there while their parents are at the appointments. This daycare area has a different entrance door than the main waiting room too so the other patience can't see the children. Just my two cents.

C_Girlie · August 2014

If that's the office policy, then that's the rule. As @Davie813‌ secondary IF does exist (I'm one if them). Once I did have to bring my son who was 7 at the time to an apt with me. DH had to work, my parented were out of state, and DH mom was busy my son sat quietly with his iPad & earphones

Pintobean39 · August 2014

I don't think my RE's office have a policy. I've seen a couple of kids there and it doesn't bother me they seem to be well behaved for the most part.

I think there are some cases that people just don't have a choice. If it were me and I had a little one I would have no one to keep it if I had a dr appt. I have no family here, it's just me and my husband and he can't just take off work anytime because he has patients to see himself. All my friends work m-f so I'd have no choice to bring it with me.

I try to tell myself this when I see them there. What if they are like me and have no one.

crankstergangster · August 2014

I've seen babies in my RE's office before, and it never dawned on me that they either should or should not be there. Interesting question....

It didn't bother me at all (obviously). But if I'd been TTC for years with no luck at all, I might feel differently.

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Austrogermokee · August 2014

I'm like JimBobCooter in that I don't want to see babies at the doctor's office when I'm trying so hard to have one and not having any luck. It's depressing enough to deal with infertility without having a baby waved in your face.

Yes, I understand that life gets in the way, but I think parents should make every effort to leave their children at home.

katie0919 · August 2014

Before I went to my first RE appt last month, my BFF warned me "don't bring DS to your appt". Luckily, I wouldn't have....he is in daycare during the week since I work full time, so I wasn't going to bring him with me. But, I totally get it out of respect for the women who have the TTC.

THEN, I go in the RE's office and there are newborn photographs ALL OVER the walls. I thought that was really insensitive. I haven't even been trying nearly as long as some people, and I was kinda put off by it. They were beautiful pictures, but I have a feeling it remind most women of what they don't have yet. Bleh. I see both sides, I guess they partially want you to have faith in them that they will make it happen for you....but still. Anywho, sorry for the ramble!

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gscoville · August 2014

While it sometimes hurts to see babies after TTC for two years now with a loss over a year and a half ago, for my own sanity I've basically come to the realization that my home is my safe place and anywhere outside of that is real life and I just have to deal with seeing pregnant women and babies. In reality, I love children and babies especially, it's why we are TTC in the first place, and I don't actually want to shut them out of my life entirely. Our TTC journey is likely to come to an end in the very near future, so I cherish every baby moment I can get, even if it's just getting an eyeful when I see them in a store or office.

C_Girlie · August 2014

Maybe the newborn babies are there to greet the doctor and staff that made it all possible. That's what I'd do if I was to get lucky

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