A MUM has revealed her dilemma over whether to report a doctor over a strange test he performed on her baby.
The woman, who took her daughter to see her GP eight years ago with suspected constipation, said it still “plays on her mind” that he stuck his finger up her bum.
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In a post shared on Mumsnet titled ‘A doctor did this to my baby and I’m not sure it’s ok?’, she explained that she wasn’t sure if it was a legitimate test or something more sinister.
“I took my baby to the GP for constipation,” she wrote.
“He put his finger up her bum, to test her sphincter. He didn’t prewarn me, so I was shocked when he did it.
“Then his explanation seemed logical. But afterwards I felt ‘what the actual f**k’.
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“I took my elder child as a baby to the GP for constipation a number of times and no one ever stuck their finger up her bum!
“Mostly they just gave lactulose and advice about hydration.
“I know time has passed, but I feel like I should still inform the practice, if this isn’t ok?”
However, her fellow mums reassured her that it was a common medical practice to help diagnose faecal impaction.
Is this a legitimate test for diagnosing constipation?
- If your GP thinks you may have faecal impaction (a complication of constipation when dry, hard stools collect in your rectum), they may carry out a physical examination.
- A typical examination will begin with you lying on your back, while the GP feels your abdomen (tummy).
- You’ll then lie on your side while your GP carries out a rectal examination using a lubricated, gloved finger. Your GP will be able to feel for any stools that may have collected.
- An internal physical examination rarely needs to be carried out on a child. Instead, the diagnosis can usually be made by feeling the child’s tummy.
Source: NHS
One person wrote: “I had a doctor stick his finger up my bum in hospital to test my sphincter so it’s a legitimate test.
“Mine wasn’t to do with constipation though, so not sure how necessary it is for that. But sounds like they were being thorough?”
Another commented: “My GP did the same for my son. He did explain why at the time but I’ve forgotten.
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“I think your GP should have explained what was going on to you but I see no problem with their conduct.”
A third shared: “Totally normal test for chronic or acute constipation.
“Test the sphincter and also to check for hardened stool in the rectum. However it’s good practice to explain first.”
Yesterday, we told you how a mum bought a Baby Shark hand wash that plays the tune every you pump – but she ended up flinging it out of the window in frustration.
We also revealed how mums have been left stunned over how much adult children “should” pay to live at home.
And a groom’s mum has been slammed for buying a £3k bespoke wedding dress for her son’s big day.
