,Is It Normal for Male Pediatricians?

Updated on August 06, 2012
G.C. asks from Plainfield, IL
26 answers

I took my 3 year old daughter to the doctor and while I was there I told him that my daughter itched her privates often and I asked if he could check if she had a yeast issue or something. I was suprised when he started to examine her without getting a female nurse in the room. Is it normal for a male pediatrician to examine a girl without a female present?

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C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

I think as long as you are present, it's okay. It's just not okay for a male doctor to perform such an exam with no one present.

10 moms found this helpful
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B.

answers from Augusta on

well , you were in the room right? Why would there need to be another person in the room if you were there as well?

6 moms found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Dallas on

Weren't you in the room? If so, then there was a female in the room. If not, then that is an issue and should be reported.

6 moms found this helpful

More Answers

J.S.

answers from Hartford on

Yes, it's normal for a male pediatrician to examine ANY child's privates when a parent asks them to without a nurse present and the parent is present. I would have been concerned if he had asked you to leave so that he could examine her.

12 moms found this helpful
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P.R.

answers from Cleveland on

Seems totally normal when the mother is there.

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

Yep. With a parent present, you're good to go.

Later, when a parent isn't present OR is asked to leave the room (happens, prep for that during tween years, when parents are still allowed but kids want privacy &/OR you think they need to start being more proactive on prep for when they're totally on their own as teens and docs AREN'T allowed to share with you)... Then when kid/teen is on their own... S second staffer is pulled in.

Doesn't matter if the doc is male/female ... Due to sexual misconduct liability... Male AND Female docs pull in a witness.

Oh. Sometimes docs do it out of habit, teaching (new nurse, or recent hire of a new grad doc), or if they think the parents are nutjobs.

So just as an FYI, you passed the 'nutjob' test and have been deemed an intelligent and caring parent who is unlikely to sue after asking for genitals to be examined, that genitals were examined. Trust me, that actually happens rather a lot.

9 moms found this helpful

S.A.

answers from Chicago on

Ummm, YOU were the female present. Right?

9 moms found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

uuummmm..yes...YOU were there. No nurse needs to be present during an exam, not in my book. When my daughter was young - she was ONLY examined while I was in the room.

You asked him to check. He did. You did NOT leave the room, did you? So in my book? no problem.

9 moms found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

Of course. You were in the room and you are her mother. Am I missing something?

9 moms found this helpful
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K.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

Yes, of course it's normal. YOU were there, weren't you?

8 moms found this helpful

T.N.

answers from Albany on

So does she have a yeast infection or what was the dx?

:)

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B.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

As long as you are present, I don't see what the problem is.

7 moms found this helpful
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J.M.

answers from Boston on

Yes it's normal. You were there.

6 moms found this helpful

L.B.

answers from Biloxi on

If you were in the room then there is no need for a female practitioner to be in the room also.

I have a son, during the height of puberty his male doctor had to do a physical check to see if his testicles were descending - I was in the room - no biggie. Well no biggie for me and the Dr. = the boy child was rather freaked out. LOL

4 moms found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

hmmm your a female right? it is normal for a ped t check a kid with the parent present. why would he need the nurse also

4 moms found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Chicago on

He's the childs doctor - therefore he will check her for any health issues. If you are not comfortable with a male doctor checking your 3 year old for any possible issues maybe you should change to a female doctor.

Our pediatrician came in the day after my daughter was born - checked her head to toe to make sure everything was fine. At her 2 week check up - same thing. I never thought anything of it - it's his job.

3 moms found this helpful

L.M.

answers from Dover on

There was a female present and you are also her parent. If she was older, and you weren't there, he would have had a female step into the room.

3 moms found this helpful
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K.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

I think since you are there, there isn't a need for a female nurse. When your daughter is older, she may choose not to have you in the room. If that is the case, I would make sure a female nurse is present. You are there to keep her safe. No nurse is needed.

2 moms found this helpful
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D..

answers from Charlotte on

What's the difference in a nurse being in there and you being in there? If you were her father, I guess I could see the point. But you are a woman, you have female genitilia, and you've had plenty of pelvic exams. The fact that he is a male doctor shouldn't have anything to do with it.

I guess I don't understand your line of thinking.

I hope your daughter is okay. If she is bathing with bath bubbles, stop that - sometimes bath bubbles can cause problems. Does she have cotton panties? Cotton crotches in panties helps. You might also change the detergent - Tide Free and Clear or All Clear might help.

Dawn

1 mom found this helpful
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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

You were there, so I don't see the problem.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.M.

answers from Chattanooga on

Well, he received the same training as any female professional. As long as you were there, I wouldn't worry.

My DD's pediatrician has never called in a female to examine my DD... I never questioned it, because he is a doctor, and I was there.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.O.

answers from Chicago on

YOU were present! He's doing exactly what you asked him to.

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R.R.

answers from Chicago on

Yes! You were in the room! So he was just fine in checking her out under your supervision.

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N.H.

answers from Peoria on

I would say yes. I don't think a female nurse is needed if mom's in the room w/child & child is under a certain age. I remember the pedi only being in the room w/me & my mom when I was little & just gave me a regular exam w/o a female nurse in the room. I doubt the dr would 'try' anything anyway, especially if mom's in the room too. I realize there are creeps out there but most doctor's I had when I was a kid were very professional & I'd feel confident that it's still the same professionalism today. I wouldn't worry too much about it. If it were me in the same situation, I'd always be in the room anyway w/my child but expect a female nurse in the room once my daughter hits puberty or gets to be about that age, just because I'd feel less paranoid & it'd make her feel less apprehensive...or else just use a female doctor/nurse practitioner instead. On a side note, sometimes if you don't get all the soap rinsed off, especially if she's taking a bath instead of a shower, the soap will stay on the skin & itch real bad down there if it's not rinsed off all the way. Try using a hand held shower head to rinse off down there if you don't already & try using a milder soap like Dove or perhaps, my favorite, a cocoa butter body wash or one w/o fragrance. Some kiddie soaps (and even grown up soaps) may have fragrance in them or can just be drying to the skin which may cause irritation too. Hope this helps.

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

Well I grew up with all male doctors. There was hardly any female ones at the time. And they are simply doing what they have to do to help the child. But if you are uncomfortable in the future that might make your daughter uncomfortable and so...then find a woman. My doctor, who saved my life, took out all my insides and then told me all the cancer was gone was a man and my husband sometimes sits in with me for the icky checkups. It just depends on what you are comfortable with.

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B.M.

answers from Chicago on

It's normal for my sons' doctor, a female, to check their privates without a nurse, but I am also there with them. As long as you were there, I think it's ok.

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