I took my baby in to the pediatrician for her 12 month check-up this morning. The fact that she is actually 13 months need not be mentioned... I found out that the last time she was seen was seven months ago. I was surprised--didn't realize it had been that long, but oh well. The Dr. tried to give me a guilt trip, but I wouldn't take it this time. "So, what happened?", she asks. Looking her straight in the eye, (and with a sweet smile) I reply, "Oh, I have five children." I'm quite certain this isn't the response she was looking for. I'm sure she would have been more pleased if I said, "I'm an incompetent mother." As she is going down the list of milestones my child should have reached, she seemed to be begging me to reveal a delay or problem of some sort. "So, no concerns or illnesses to speak of?" I just couldn't resist: "Nope! That's why I haven't brought her in. If I thought there was a problem, I would have made an appointment earlier." Needless to say, this is my least favorite doctor of the three in the office.
It turns out my child is healthy and normal. But I didn't need a Dr. to figure that out. I do need a Dr. to give shots, though, and since we've decided to immunize, I really should have taken my child in sooner. Now I get to take her back next week to get the rest of the shots that she has missed. So, even though I put off taking my baby to the doctor, it can be fixed, and I refuse to believe that I'm an incompetent mother. There's my "stick-out-my-tongue" moment for the century. Usually I try to be nice and positive and give people the benefit of the doubt. But not when you accuse me of neglecting my children. Now I'll descend the soap box. Have a good day! :-)
3 comments:
Yeah, I agree. That doctor probably fell into the same trap that teachers sometimes do; they assume because what they do is important, and because they see patient after patient, that somehow their profession becomes life, as opposed to their profession being a *part* of life.
I'm glad you were willing to answer the doctor's question without unneccessarily caving in. Good job. But next time, stick out your tongue, too. ;-)
I know people who purposely put off shots, because of the whole Autism thing. What's the big deal, I can see her getting all huffy if you said you'd chosen not to immunize. What you said was right on, some doctors need a reality check. Thanks for the post it made me appreciate my doctor more, he actually listens to me.
We don't really get into the Dr. thing either. I feel VERY blessed that we are generally healthy people and don't ever need to go to the dr. for simple illnesses.
Before I left to Africa I needed a prescription for some Malaria medication. I ended up going to the Community Health Clinic to get it. They kept trying to convince me that if I would just call my Primary Care Giver I wouldn't have to pay the $10 fee. They couldn't believe that I had not been to Primary Care Giver in 10 years and would have no idea to call.
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