Why does everyone hate their dr and hv?

[AlwaysPraying]

It seems that so many people are getting so angry at their doctors advice as well as their hv. They will go with a question and get an answer and then come home and say their doctor doesn't know anything. So why go in the first place if you already know the answer?

Sorry, I'm just frustrated on this, it seems to be coming up a lot here lately, and this IS NOT aimed at anyone specifically.

Yes, I know doctors can get set in their ways and do things out of habit, but they are not malicious or cruel in their intentions. I'm also really not sure how so many people seem to know the "current and up to date" information that these doctors seem to not be giving us? Really, unless you go to medical meetings, talk to the CDC or WHO then how does anyone besides a doctor know what's best?

I know we as moms need to be very vigilant in how we deal with our medical community and we must be aware and kept up to date. But I think that has to include an open and honest relationship with our doctors. Instead of getting angry and saying they don't know what they were talking about, why not ask them more and tell them what you have learned, see where the conversation can take you.

As well, it's so important to get a doctor that you can trust. I know here it's incredibly hard to get a doctor at all, the dr per patient ratio is in a horrid state, so that's easier said than done. But for the well being of our children, don't keep going back to the same doctor if you keep getting bad information.

Sorry to rant girls, I just wish more people would talk more openly with their doctors and health visitors and question them, and have a nice dialogue to get to a trusted place between everyone.

 

[KatelynsMummy]

I have a problem with HV's round me, as we dont get visited and have no chance to ask question, the quite frankly dont give a hoot.
Doctors, some talk out their arse as alot of GP's are NOT baby doctors, they don't keep up to date with the baby guidelines, a lot go from experience and re-search.
Hope this doesnt turn into yet another debate on here, thats all that seems to be happening lately

 

[pianobex]

I agree

 

[pianobex]

With origional post but also with the one below...oh my i am so fickle!

 

[Louppey]

I agree with you AlwaysPraying, if people have an issue with their GP/HV they should question them but tbh I don't think I would feel confident enough to question a professional so perhaps this is part of the problem?

The HV I had initially was fantastic, really lovely, very supportive. Since then though, when I go to baby clinic I see someone different everytime and I don't find them particuarly helpful but I think that's perhaps cause they're rushed? They just want to get LO weighed and shoo you out the door. In fact, one of the baby clinics I have been to you don't even get to see a HV, you weigh LO yourself and write it in the red book

My GP on the other hand, I have only been in once with LO for our 6 week check. Couldn't fault her at all, very helpful and very knowledgeable. Perhaps some GP's know more about babies than others?

 

[Lightworker]

I love my GPs surgery. Very thorough and reassuring, and not condescending in the slightest (as with previous practices). I don't even know who my HV is as when they did my birth visit they said
- don't co-sleep
- get an implant as I dont want to be here in 9 months
-totally anti-attachment parenting
Just crap really, so don't care for them. X

 

[Vinushka]

When I had DD I had a HV who bordered on abusive, and was later fired, and my daughter was made to wait 3 weeks for an appointment with an eye specialist, which caused her to lose an eye.

My younger brother was left with a dislocated hip for 10 years he had Cerebral palsy and they said there was no point as he'd never walk. He cried all the time.

I have no reason to like or trust health professionals in any capacity.

 

[Kimmer]

I haven't seen a HV since LO was about 6 weeks old. I can't stand them!
She had a lot of issues, the worst being reflux and lactose intolerance. I wanted them to put her on a special formula or give her something to help, instead I got the advice 'when she's crying just leave her to it, you can't do anything anyway'. A HV suggested I give her 6 month + milk instead of newborn, told me not to bother with BF, put her in her own room so when she wakes up crying in pain I won't hear it!

The list is endless. I passed my old HV in the street when LO was about 13 weeks old, she told me to give LO baby rice to make her sleep (even though I said she was sleeping through)

To be honest, I can find out most of the information I need without going to doctors or HVs.

If she is ill I won't hesitate to take her to a doctor or hospital. Other than that, I won't.

I find their advice is normally very out dated. They all seem to be from the older generation so aren't aware of BLW, told me not to co sleep etc.

Lots of people I know have issues with HVs. Everyone has a different parenting style, so when someone tells you to do something you don't agree with, it just kinda gets your back up.

 

[xxClaire_24xx]

I dont hate them I have no trust in the NHS and prob wont for along time after them lying to me on several occasions at scans and then telling me twice they advise med to terminate as Ellie would be born to poorly to survive and yeas we have had a tough time with Ellie but she is perfect and to think I could have listened and took the advice makes me feel sick

I also have problems with our HV cause she always goes on and on about Ellie being under weight and our physio never turns up for Ellie appointments so that annoys me too

I do LOVE Ellie paed Dr Morrison he is just lovely

 

[xxClaire_24xx]

When I had DD I had a HV who bordered on abusive, and was later fired, and my daughter was made to wait 3 weeks for an appointment with an eye specialist, which caused her to lose an eye.

My younger brother was left with a dislocated hip for 10 years he had Cerebral palsy and they said there was no point as he'd never walk. He cried all the time.

I have no reason to like or trust health professionals in any capacity.

OMFG that is shocking no wonder you have no trust!!! I cant believe that!!! x

 

[cat81]

I don't. My health visitor has always been really fantastic, supportive of my choices and able to provide reassurance and advice when needed. I may not necessarily agree with the advice offered and always do my own research as well but I have every confidence in the team at my surgery. When I realised that my son had a tongue tie, my hv went out of her way to write me two separate referral letters so that I could go to another hospital and get it sorted more quickly.

The doctors have also been great whenever I have needed to see them.

Maybe I'm just lucky!

 

[bigbetty]

I feel really lucky that my hv is very supportive and helpful. In the office there is her, another hv and a nurse and I wouldn't hesitate to speak to any of them. I go to the first time mums group that is run by them and I sometimes pop to the clinic too. If I need a private conversation all I have to do is call and Mary will come out to see me.

I have no problem with my surgery either. I've never seen the doctor with Fran for anything other than medical issues but she is very good and I have an excellent relationship with the practice nurse, I trust her implicitly.

 

[Louppey]

I feel really lucky that my hv is very supportive and helpful. In the office there is her, another hv and a nurse and I wouldn't hesitate to speak to any of them. I go to the first time mums group that is run by them and I sometimes pop to the clinic too. If I need a private conversation all I have to do is call and Mary will come out to see me.

Wow your HV's sound amazing!

 

[michelle82]

I have to say that I don't have a lot of faith in the NHS, for various different reasons, which i won't go into, far too long winded!

My hv has been really lovely and supportive throughout our issues. However some of the docs I have seen have been totally useless! But after seeing every gp at my surgery, I have finally found one that is great.

On our first visit to see a pead at the hosp, we were sent home with baby formula that was for a baby of 1 year and over, my son was 10 weeks at the time......doesn't exactly fill you with confidence does it!

 

[Mummy2Asher]

My old Gp and hv were amazing, for example I was a single mum aged 16 and desperately trying to succeed in breastfeeding and my doctor rang me up every Friday to see how I was getting a long and to offer support. 4years later they still ask my mum how we are.
My hv also went out of her way to come over lots and offer support/advice about reflux etc and we still remain friends now!
My Gp now is nice, very prompt but listens to my worries, if I don't like what he's said I say and explain why and what I've read/hubby has told me (he's actually in GP training! Lol)

 

[Mya209]

My HV is fab and so were the large majority of midwives that I've been in contact with. Sure the NHS has guidelines that I don't necessarily agree with but they're not forcing you to do what they say. They're giving NHS influenced advice and can be a bit anti attachment parenting (HV said my two week old shouldnt be falling asleep on me and should be falling asleep on her own in her cot - I said I think she's still too young for that and needs her mum - HV didn't argue with me.) but they are just trying to help. Ignore advice that doesn't feel right. I'm grateful for the help I've received.

 

[MrsVenn]

I must be in the minority, my GPs and HVs are great but it is a village practice so very small and with GPs with lots of experience. They give suggestions, 'the NHS line' and their own experiences as parents or even grandparents, I've never had any issues or irritations.

 

[blondey]

As a whole I have no problem with my HV. She seems nice enough. However I haven't (touch wood) had any problems with Ava-Mae, barring the reflux. How much help she could give re a different issue, I'm not sure. Although I don't doubt she would try to be helpful.

My own GP, I prefer not to see. That is mainly because he seems embarassed to examine women. Usually I have no problem seeing a male GP for something 'female' related. However I once went to him with a problem with my coxyx (cannot spell!) and he seemed embarassed to examine me near my bottom. Now when I make an appointment I just ask to see any other doctor.

One thing I did have an issue with however was that because I was a low risk pregnancy, I had to alternate my antenatal appointments between a GP and midwives. I found the GP's very out of touch with what was required of an antenatal appointment, especially near the end. 2 weeks before my due day the GP measured me and because he didn't take into account my bump had dropped he said I was measuring too small and needed a scan. He then basicaly shooed me out of his office. I think got a phonecall from his secretary saying she had booked me for a scan...a week later, so I had a week of worrying. Turns out they didn't even book the appointment with a sonographer who was qualified in scanning and working out measurements, so I had to go back the next day. Needless to say I had suffered a week of constant worrying just because he couldn't measure properly...sorry rant over!

xx

 

[Murphy98]

I for one love any chance to gab about my baby so I totally look forward to Dr's visits. Thats probably pathetic a bit isn't it

That and our pediatrician seems so delighted by babies that its hard to not enjoy visiting her.

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

I don't hate them at all - but I know more than my HV about a whole load of issues so I see zero point in asking her anything, and GPs - pretty good but some do seem to have huge gaps in their knowledge, or not updated their knowledge. I don't have it in for the medical profession - I'd be equally critical of any professional who did not see it as their responsibility to keep updated with changes in their industry.