Bringing DD to the first oby appointment?

[mamamille]

Hi there Mommas~
I have my first appointment and since my dd (age 3.97) is not in school or camp I was planning on bringing her. But then I started remembering the first appt I had when I was preggo with her, and it was more like an exam then blood draw etc. I plan on refusing the pap so hopefully that will decrease the need for stirrups but what do you think? I mean I plan on a home birth and she is welcome to attend if she wants, but maybe it's an issue of too much too fast? I believe that the midwives office is kid friendly, and she is pretty well self contained so she doesn't have to be with me, but I thought I would post to hear what all your experiences have been.
Thank you!

[Pinoikoi]

My midwife has yet to do an internal exam with me. She said she doesn't do them for moms that have given birth before unless really late in pregnancy or if it is requested.

My sons came with me to almost all my appts. They liked holding the machine to hear the heartbeat, etc.

I think mostly they will make some nutrition recommendations and talk to you about your history, etc.

[LittleBattleAxe]

My dd was 4 when I was expecting her little brother and she went with me to almost all of my appts. She loved it! If it's an issue of modesty, I was always given a lap blanket to cover up, but internal exams were few and far between.

[lillymonster]

I brought my DD and she is a little over 3. She just sat there, but she is pretty good kid, so I take her to all my doctor appts within reason

[mistymama]

I'm 22 weeks and have yet to have an internal exam - and that's with an OB. I seriously doubt you'll do much more than have blood drawn and talk. I'd totally take her! Ds loves coming to my appointments and hearing the heartbeat, etc.

[Thalia]

I've had two early losses, one of which I found out about through an early ultrasound, and so I don't ever take DD to appointments with me. I also had a good friend who took her boys with her to her first appointment, and they were right there when the very insensitive OB told her that there was no heartbeat.

I hate to even mention this, because I feel like the voice of doom and gloom, but it was my experience so I'm sharing it.

[BreakfastyMichele]

In our house, going to the doctor is all about health. So, if the doctor needs to examine me in any way, we just tell my (2.5 year old) daughter exactly what he's doing. She's been through nearly all my OB appointments this time around.

The only thing that's changed in her is that she now is very eager to listen to heartbeats, and she loves playing doctor. She checks to be sure my belly is "a healthy size" and tries to listen to the babe's heartbeat through my abdomen. She also takes my pulse.

As long as you don't make a big deal about it, she'll probably be fine.

[momasana]

My DS has come with me to all of my midwife appointments. He's almost 3. He's pretty interested in everything she does. He even watched up-close when she drew my blood, which is pretty funny because I have to look away. He just stood there asking her about each step and then would say "What's next?"

[Kitten]

I should think midwives, esp homebirth ones, should be very accustomed to people bringing children to appointments. All the homebirth midwives around here have great toys in-office for little kids and encourage family participation. That is one of the reasons my family chooses homebirth.

[mamamille]

Thanks ladies! I guess I was a little nervous since this is my first appt with them.
Thank you Thalia for bringing that up- I would assume they would be tackful but will mention it to them when I go in.
I am excited for my dd to join me and I know she is looking forward to it. I just wanted to be prepared before I went. I'm really just going for bloodwork etc before transfering to my HB midwives.
I appreciate your willingness to share

[Magali]

I took my 3 year old to a very loooong ultrasound. We got thru that very easily and everyone was very kind to my son. I would have no problem taking him to any of my regular appointments.

[junipervt]

I bring my 2yr old DD to all of my appointments w/ my midwife (homebirth mw) & it isn't an issue. She even has a basket of toys for her to play w/.