I am 33 weeks pregnant and I just realized that my doctor doesn't wash her hands when she comes into my exam room. Up until now it's just been pretty routine... I go in, get weighed, pee in the cup and she takes a measuring tape to measure my belly. So, it's not a through exam that requires touching my face or a pelvic exam. But, I just recently thought about this and it concerns me. She does touch my belly to measure and feel the baby. There is a bad virus going around. A ton of my friends and myself recently just got over this. I'm going to ask her to wash her hands in the future. Has anyone else taken the time to observe this with their doctors? She washes her hands and wears gloves before the more through exams.
Maybe because it's not a through exam? If it concerns you, you might want to ask her why she doesn't wash her hands. I would definitely ask her.
Good Luck
Congrats on the upcoming bundle of joy:)
Your doctor should absolutely wash her hands between patients. I think you are demonstrating good maternal insticts by your concern. You have no idea what went on with the previous patient - and doctors are the first to say, "hand washing is your best defense."
We can all be forgetful, even doctors. I am sure that if you ask her in a respectful manner, she would be happy to comply.
Only a few more OB visits to go!
I know our pediatrician always washes after he sees my daughters, not before. So, it is possible she washed before she came in, after seeing her last patient.???
D.
I thought the same thing!
However, I have seen docs use some sort of hand sanitizer that is in a central location in the office.
But it's worth asking about.
Why should she wash her hands with this kind of exams? She is only touching your belly, that's just skin. It's more likely you will get something from shaking the hand of someone than from someone touching your belly.
But talk to your doctor if it bothers you, it is important to have a good relationship with your doctor.
Good luck with the last 7 weeks,
I.
