now that I think back..

[metalhead713]

Ok this is a completly random memory that just popped into my head, when I was very early pregnant with dd, and was doing shared care (doctor one week midwife next) the doctor asked how I was going to be feeding bubs (which at the time I intended to bf) and he done an exam of them? O_o:o To see if they are ok for breastfeeding or if id have any troubles.
Just thinking what I know now, was this acctualy neccacery, or was he just a perve??:o:confused: I have inverted nipples and he never even mentioned this.. (which I know some people work through and isnt an issue for some, but you think he would have at least pointed out that?)
sorry weird q I know

[metalhead713]

so, out of the 16 ppl who have veiwed this so far, nobody can tell me if this is a routine thing you all had done whilst pregnant? ..:rolleyes:

[DivinelySophistimicated]

Sounds a bit strange to me

[Shakey]

yeah sounds very strange to me

i've never had that happened to me with all my pregnancies, and I dont' think I know anyone that has had that done to them either

[Tam-I-Am]

Its a reasonably normal thing to happen, especially for first time visit in a hospital. The reason is not to see if you'll have any problems breastfeeding - an obstetrician quite frankly wouldn't have any clue about that anyway, I don't know why they said that to you - its to check for any abnormalities, likes lumps etc that might be indicative of cancer, for example.

[cheezelkat]

sounds very odd to me - I don't think breastfeeding problems can be picked up until bub is born anyway

[metalhead713]

:eek::eek:
Im glad i didnt keep that doctor for long and went into full midwife care.. I had no idea at the time that it wasnt the norm:eek:
Urrgh wtf I feel a little violated now, urgh!! I cant beleive it didnt click earlier..

oh well.. its in the past now just wish i hadve realised at the time. How strange.

[nicoleE]

On my first visit with my Ob at about 10 weeks he felt my tummy and my breasts. From memory he did what was like a self exam for breast cancer IYKWIM, just felt them in circles. He didnt mention why he was doing it, nor did I ask, I completely trust this Ob so I am confident there was no funny business going on. He did the check again at my 6 week checkup after the birth.

[Tam-I-Am]

It IS the norm, mh.

Have a look at this (http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/pregnancy.asp) link.

[metalhead713]

sounds very odd to me - I don't think breastfeeding problems can be picked up until bub is born anyway
thats what i thought, I mean the breasts change completly in pregnancy and when the milk comes in, mine nearly doubled in size..

[metalhead713]

It IS the norm, mh.

Have a look at this (http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/pregnancy.asp) link.

well thats a releif.. thanks for that. I just found it odd that they had to do a check at 9 weeks pregnant and yet not once more throughout the pregnancy.

[cwsmum]

Its a reasonably normal thing to happen, especially for first time visit in a hospital. The reason is not to see if you'll have any problems breastfeeding - an obstetrician quite frankly wouldn't have any clue about that anyway, I don't know why they said that to you - its to check for any abnormalities, likes lumps etc that might be indicative of cancer, for example.
:yes: Exactly what I was going to say :yes:
My GP checked mine when I went to see her to have my last pregnancy confirmed and she told me she does it to check for lumps, etc...she also offers to do a breast exam when she does a pap smear, same reasons as above.

[Jeclipse]

I agree with Tam that it seems normal,

I don't think if he did do it for a perve that you would have "forgetten" about it for so long.

[cheezelkat]

I guess its the norm for some doctors.

I've been through the hospital system twice and I've never had any breast examination.

[Tam-I-Am]

This from that link that I gave you before:


Breast Health Guidelines During Pregnancy
A woman should continue practicing monthly breast self-exams (http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/bse.asp) during pregnancy at about seven to 10 days after her normal period would have occurred. It is especially important that a clinical breast exam (http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/earlydetection.asp#cbe) be performed by the physician or nurse during the first doctor’s appointment of the pregnancy, before the breasts go through significant physiologic changes. Some changes or lumps are more difficult to evaluate once the breasts have enlarged and have become more nodular. Clinical breast exams should continue on a monthly basis during pregnancy.

[metalhead713]

I didnt think anything of it at the time, but then now that i know more about what goes on throughout pregnancy I just realised it seemed odd as he didnt explain it much at the time.
But now I know its just routine, And feel much more releived (even more-so that they didnt find anything abnormal)

[Milliner]

I agree, that sounds very strange. Not once did my Dr or any midwife ask to look at my boobs, they all copped an eye full when I was in labour though. :laughing:

[Tam-I-Am]

Guys, I think that we need to be very careful making what is coming very close to accusatory and, potentially defamatory comments about MH's obstetric team.

Comments like "suss" and "fishy", even just "strange" lend the impression that there was something underhanded, and untoward going on - when its actually a fairly normal, fairly responsible thing for an OB or middie to do. Plus I don't think that we'd all be jumping up and down if it WERE a female middie who MH was talking about.

Clearly not all obs/middies do do a breastcheck - but it isn't 'suss', 'strange', 'fishy', or abnormal, just because it hasn't happened to you.

ETA: Its also worth noting that besides being accusatory toward the doctors, the responses were also very clearly distressing for MH herself - who obviously was having thoughts about having been sexually assaulted. Can we please take care about our responses to ensure we're not engendering unnecessary panic.

I think I might close this thread now.

Cheers.