"Visit at the hospital"

Recently, I saw a doctor for my appointment. I heard my name being called out. I got up but I couldn’t see the doctor, turns out they went straight back to their office and it seemed they expected me to somehow figure out where that is. I’m 36 weeks pregnant so I can’t really run after them.

I sat down on the chair and they started mumbling in a very fast manner going through the pages in the book about smoking, alcohol sleep safe, labour, consent forms and I said to them “I’m really sorry but you’re talking really fast and that’s a lot of information, this is my first baby, could you please slow down?”. I recall the doctor said that they’re going through stuff I already know and look at their list that day- proceeds to pull out a list of their patients and said they have only got 5 mins to see me. I recall they also said that they have to ask me all these questions (smoking, alcohol etc..) because a different doctor who saw me last didn’t fill anything out. This in fact, I believe was not true and I felt if they had taken a moment to look through my file they should have seen my previous history and the other doctor’s notes.

The doctor asked me if I am taking any iron supplements? I said no. They asked why not. I said my iron levels were within range and I don’t want to get constipated. The doctor said that my ferritin stores are 18 now so I need to take iron supplements, my midwife should have given me this pamphlet at my very first appointment. I said “kay do you think I should get an infusion as well?” The doctor said no, iron infusions are very dangerous and cause staining anaphylaxis and are not good for me. I also believe they said I don’t have any symptoms like shortness of breath (mind you the doctor didn’t actually ask how I’m feeling so I felt there is no way of them knowing what symptoms I have). Now please note that I am a healthcare worker and I understand that these are risks associated with iron infusions. A sufficient no I don’t think it’s required at this stage would have been fine but I felt this was fear mongering information and doesn’t provide the full picture which is unacceptable, in my opinion.

I recall the doctor then said, who is with me today? (when my parent was clearly there – the doctor did not introduce themselves). I said my parent, the doctor said what’s their name and I told them. I felt this was extremely rude as my parent was right there confused about this interaction with the doctor’s back turned away from them. The doctor then asked me, where is my GTT test? And I said “I didn’t do it I did hba1c”. The doctor said that’s not really good enough. Hba1c only measures the last 3 months. GTT test is normal and they believed I was high risk so they would recommend I do it in my next pregnancy because the dangers of gestational diabetes will not be seen until after the baby is born.

Again, I felt this was an example of fear mongering information without any acknowledgement of other options. In fact the way they said it in a very abrupt non compassionate manner made me feel like I have put my baby in danger.

At this point, I was so mad because, in my opinion:

a) the doctor’s still throwing information at me at an extreme speed

b) hasn’t even asked me how I’m feeling

c) completely dismissive and seemingly unfriendly rushed manner

That I actually started crying. The doctor then hands me a tissue and has the audacity to ask me if there something that’s bothering me today and why I’m so overwhelmed.

Then the doctor asked me to lie on the bed and did a quick scan of baby - would not let my parent take a video for my partner, I recall saying that it’s not that kind of scan. I think at this stage the doctor was somehow trying to redeem themselves and I recall they pulled out a doll and kept saying that they’re the only one who will show me how my baby is positioned and see they are the only one who draws pictures. (What…..)

I go back to my seat and the doctor asks what I do for work and I say I’m a healthcare worker and the doctor said that I should know about iron supplements then, am I still working? I say no and the doctor asks what am I going to do for the next 4 weeks. I say “prepare for baby catch up with friends“ and I recall the doctor said, no I’m going to exercise, I’m going to walk, do perineal massage and colostrum express, here is the kit and there is information in the pamphlet.

I feel if the doctor had made the time to look in my file or even talk to me directly instead of trying to tick boxes, they would have known that I exercise 7 times a week some of which is cardiovascular and weight lifting. I don’t even know what perineal massage is apart from what I’ve ready online and no clue about expressing. The doctor asked me if I had any questions, I asked them if they can do a quick referral for hydrotherapy Physio therapy at Murdoch. I recall the doctor said no, they don’t have the capacity to do that, does my parent have a pool just use their pool. And Murdoch is self referral anyway. I believe this is not true, they are not self referral because I had checked with them prior to this appointment.

I was upset, in tears and the doctor didn’t once apologise for how they’re making me feel. I felt the doctor was unfriendly, dismissive, rushed and frankly it felt like I was talking to a robot. Now I have support, my parent was there. I’m a healthcare professional so I guess I am more equipped to find information than others. However, if this was done to the wrong person, I believe I can only imagine the carry over and seemingly disastrous consequences it would have had on mum and baby. At one point on our way home I said to my parent “I don’t even care anymore” which is scary for me.