Can I bring 2 year old to OB appt?

[dancingirl21]

I have been trying to schedule my appointments for Fridays that I don't work. I generally keep DS home with me on these days. Can I bring him with to my OB appointments? He gets shy around strangers but hopefully I can get him to sit still during the appointment.

[Willis Jackson]

Yes.

[mrssandro]

It depends. My OB did not allow anything children older than 12 months or something.

[missbella]

We have been bringing DS (18 months)to my midwife appointments but DH goes with us. I see people bring kids by themselves all the time though. Will he sit an umbrella stroller? Tthat might make it easier during the actual appointment but honestly, I only need to be hands free for a few minutes while she uses the dopplar or takes my blood pressure. DS can sit in my lap while I talk to her. I might avoid it for the first appointment though because those are usually pretty long and include a physical exam and bloodwork.

[bugandbibs]

I did all the time. My OB didn't have any problems with it.

[imojoebunny]

I did, pretty much every time, except the 13 week screening and the 20 week screening. I used Dum Dums to keep her quiet and bought some small toys.

[tulips]

If allowed, sure. I'd park him in a stroller in the exam room and give him all the snacks or whatever occupies him.

[Marmee]

I brought my kids to many/most of mine.

[lilac05]

I did, but I think my OB office changed their policy on kids lately. Call before you go...or prepare for possibly being told that you can't bring him the next time.

Take snacks and a quiet toy.

[robyn]

I used to see toddlers at my OB appointments all the time. I bet it's fine, just bring something to occupy him if you can.

[dancingirl21]

We have our 12 week appt on Friday that DH will be at but not DS. Future appointments DH may not attend so I'll ask about their policy. Thanks!

[deo]

I had to bring DS1 a couple of times to my OB appointments. I kept him strapped into an umbrella stroller and let him play on my phone. I really tried my best to schedule my appointments without him.

[redheadk]

I had to bring DD with me once to an appointment at that age. It was quick but time sensitive so unavoidable (school was out). It was fine. She sat in a chair and watched the iPad while eating fruit snacks. The waiting for the OB was the hardest part since I was naked from the waist down with a sheet over me. She was fine once the OB was in there; she's shy but not scared so she just watched her show.

[redpenmama]

I always tried to schedule mine for DD's preschool days (she was also 2), but it didn't always work, so she came to several. My OB's office is always teeming with kids, so they had no issue with it, and DD behaved well (enough).

[annieh22]

I did it and my Ob didn't care at all. Snacks, toy, iPad to keep occupied and it should be fine. This was only for standard appts though, not ultrasounds or NSTs.

[Deleted]

I did. I just gave him snacks to eat.

[scribellesam]

I often did, as long as it wasn't an ultrasound appointment.

[teatimefor2]

I did for a lot of appointments. Most recently, I had an annual and my son was getting fussy so she did it with him laying on me nursing. Not ideal, but she said it happens more than you expect.

[luckyno7]

I did. My OB wanted to see the kids as he delivered them. Unfortunately I brought her to the first one that you get undressed at (thought I had another week) and she very loudly laughed and announced that I was naked and proceeded to do her naked dance song. Yours is younger so you should be good. I'd bring an iPad or books to keep occupied.

[whitepicketfence]

I always brought my other kids with me. I didn't have a choice. It was fine (mostly).

[picksthemusic]

As someone who works in a clinic, it's not preferred. If the child acts up or whatever it's usually up to the medical staff to help when they have other work to do. However if your child will sit in a stroller with a phone or tablet to entertain themselves for the 20 minutes you're there, that's usually ok.

[robot]

Sure, I saw kids at my OB's office all the time, and there are a lot of really quick appointments when you are pregnant. I would not bring kids to the big ultrasounds or something more invasive. I am kind of surprised to hear that some offices don't allow it. As much as I can see how it might be a little annoying at times, it doesn't seem realistic that every pregnant mom can find childcare for the dozen plus appointments in a routine pregnancy.

[pinotgrig]

Ours allows it for non-ultrasound appts. They require someone else at least 12 years old to accompany those younger than 12 for u/s appts.

[Deleted]

I don't really mind kids in the exam room. Sure, it'd be ideal if they weren't there. But hey what can you do? I usually just work around it, try to be friendly and entertain the kid the best I can and go about the exam.

I kinda honestly would prefer the mom to let the kid do his/her own thing and walk around the room as long as he/she isn't destroying anything rather than the mom saying "sit down" a million times because then I lose my train of thought, ha.

Parents bring kids all the time in obgyn and family medicine clinic.

But I guess it's a good idea to call ahead to your doctor's office to see if they have a specific policy against kids.

[cinco]

I did it a few times. Not ideal by a long shot, but my OB didn't seem to mind. I brought an IPad.

[soozy87]

I did sometimes, but it was a challenge most of the time, even if my husband was along.

[kaycee]

I brought mine a lot. My OBGYN said they only discourage toddlers at anatomy scans. Otherwise they don't mind at all. My kid was freakishly good while there.

[af1212]

I brought both of my kids with me to all of my appts - no other option for me really. The dr let them hold the wand of the Doppler to help hear the heartbeat, wipe the goop off of my belly, squeeze the bulb of the blood pressure cuff, and push the button to let the tape measure slide back in. They loved it.

[SallySparrow]

Now that I'm going every two freaking weeks, yeah, sometimes I take her. She is actually really good and the staff like seeing her.

Different specialty, but I used to work at an ortho clinic. It never bothered me when people brought kids in with them.

[dizzycooks]

I do if I have to. I brought the double stroller and they made it work, boom, contained. Now that they are older I'll bring the single and snacks, but the doctor was great about including them. The smeared gel on my belly and felt the baby. Unfortunately they'll be coming for a cervical check, but I'll arrange them so it's not weird (as much as it's possible)