Taking Older Siblings to Prenatal Appointments?

I would definitely take them, just not to any pelvic exams or whatever when the doc has to go "inside" you... that may be a bit much for them lol. Seeing the baby's ultrasound and heartbeat may make it more exciting and easier when the baby is actually born.

As long as they're not watching a pelvic exam, there's nothing awful about your older children hearing their sibling's heartbeat and learning about what's going on. They're old enough to ask questions and understand the answers.

My kids are 10 years apart. My daughter went with me to appointments if she wasn't in school, my doctor acknowledged and engaged her about being a big sister, let her hear the heartbeat and see ultrasounds, but she waited outside for the below-the-waist exams.
My son is 15 and his sister just had her first baby. My son was present for everything except the yelling, screaming, checking for dilation and pushing part. He was out of there! He was like a nervous father, pacing in the waiting room. The midwife actually went out to take him coffee.
They got things tidied up fairly quickly so he could come in right after the baby was born.
It's all natural and beautiful and everything, but my daughter had a total hippie, back to nature midwife and she was sensitive to my son not needing to see certain things. Thank goodness.
Your kids are old enough to enjoy the fun parts of the appointments and sit out for the "yucky" parts.

I wish you the very best. What an exciting time for your family!

I agree with Lesley. They are old enough to understand the basics of what is going on--- it's a well visit for you and baby. Right? During any sort of pelvic exam they can probably wait in the waiting room and play their video games (if they have them, they probably would bring them with them for something like that. I know mine do).

Your son might find it "awful".. but he'll be just fine. My kids find it "awful" when I need to shop for a pair of pants! It means that they have to put their "needs" (wants actually) on hold for somebody else and for something else that doesn't happen to interest them or be fun for them. But they get over it. I hear the "are you done yet?" comments, but hey! I take them shopping too, let them learn what it is like on the other side of the coin. Don't you go with your kids when they go in to the doctor, either for sickness/injury or for well child appts and/or vaccinations? So let them see that mom (and their new sibling) also need to see the doctor and they can behave like the mature pre-teens that they are.
It really is all about expectations: Yours about how they should behave. They won't be any more freaked out or whatever than if they had to sit through a hair appt.
The one thing I WOULD be sure to do is to make sure your Dr's office/staff is aware that you will have them along on future visits. I'm sure you aren't the first, but they might appreciate knowing that in advance, or even have suggestions or options for them while they are waiting during your appt time. If you're kids are rowdy they might cause a slight rise in your BP too! LOL

I took my 4 1/2 year old to some of my appointments. She was there when we found out if it was a baby sister or brother. She was very keen on watching the doctor measure my tummy and listen to the heartbeat. It think it helped her bond with the baby before it was born; she even called her little sister "her baby". She met my doctor. I also think it made it less scary for her when I had the baby, went to the hospital. I also wanted her to see women in the role of doctors and nurses, instead of as teachers (since her perception is mainly of her school).

She wanted to know how it would come out. She thought it came out of the belly button. So I told her about her anatomy (that she had a special hole for babies). We didn't talk about sex, just female anatomy and the baby's development. I didn't take her to any appointments that involved a pelvic exam.

My son was 10 and went to prenatal appointments, was there for the birth and was always helping me once home with anything I needed while nursing or pumping (husband was out of state). It taught him some incredible life lessons but never was he uncomfortable or was it awkward or anything. It's a natural and beautiful experience and what better way to teach your kids than have them experience it with you. Congrats!

My daughter's baby is now nearly 2 months old and she took her older children to some of the prenatal appointments. They're 7 and 10. They were there for the ultra-sound which provided information for ongoing talks about development. They looked at pictures in a book that described and showed development. I think it helps the children to be involved in the process of having a baby.

My daughter had a home birth and they were present for the birth. It was amazing. They weren't scared. They were very interested in what was happening and I think getting to hold their baby sister right away helped for them to totally accept her. There have been no signs of jealousy and they're eager to help in any way possible.

Updated

My daughter's baby is now nearly 2 months old and she took her older children to some of the prenatal appointments. They're 7 and 10. They were there for the ultra-sound which provided information for ongoing talks about development. They looked at pictures in a book that described and showed development. I think it helps the children to be involved in the process of having a baby.

My daughter had a home birth and they were present for the birth. It was amazing. They weren't scared. They were very interested in what was happening and I think getting to hold their baby sister right away helped for them to totally accept her. There have been no signs of jealousy and they're eager to help in any way possible.

I took my kids to all my appts.
Whenever the dr has to check down below they have the kids stand by my head so as not to see anything.
My children have always enjoyed hearing how the baby is doing, hearing the heart beat and seeing ultrasounds.

Let them enjoy getting close to the baby by being a part of the appts.

As far as your son goes.... it is fine for him too... in fact it may help him in the future when his wife is expecting.

My kids were younger when my third was born -- they were almost 4 and 7, and I did take them to a lot of my prenatals. They were both rather interested, the 7yo more than the 3yo. We were very open with the kids, and has things gone as planned, they would have been at the birth center and free to be present for the birth... things didn't go as planned and my youngest was born in the front seat of my car on the way to the birth center...LOL... but I feel very strongly that the earlier we make it clear to children that pregnancy is not an illness but a natural and healthy state of being the better off they will be if/when they decide to start a family of their own.

There is nothing 'girly' about having a prenatal visit... Your son would not only grow as a person but also learn respect for women due to what they go thru during a pregnancy. Your daughter would also learn much by going.

Keeping such an important part of life and the natural cycle away from children confuses me. When my 5 y/o is home, I bring her because I feel it's important for her to see and know not only what baby is doing, but how Mommy and her body are doing. She will be there for my home birth VBAC too in July.

I think both children will benefit from learning what happens during pregnancy - that include digital vaginal checks. Your children don't have to be looking up at your vagina from next to the Dr, but they can be on either side of you holding your hand.

My oldest 3 are about to turn 13, 9, and 8. The younger two are 4years old and 5 months old. I hauled all of them to the majority of my prenatal appointments. The oldest (boy) typically stayed in the waiting room, but sometimes popped in just to hear the heartbeat, and the next two (girls) usually took turns staying in the waiting room with their brother. Exam rooms are only so big, lol.

Pregnancy and birth is not just a "girly" thing. Both "sides" of sex-ed/reproductive-ed (however you want to label it) should be known by both genders.

I took my girls who were 4 and 7 to a few of my appointments with my midwife, they enjoyed hearing the baby's heartbeat and the midwife let them hold the Doppler. They each got to go to two I think, it does get a little boring for a child. Since your children are older they can also go with you and just read in the waiting room. It seems like a lot of hassle to get a babysitter for every appointment! Most of my appointments were scheduled when my girls were in school, but since it's summer that may not work!

I would absolutely take my children with me. How silly NOT to. First, it costs money to have a babysitter. Second, if your son or daughter really doesn't want to know anything about the apptmnt then they can sit out in the hallway and read or play a DS (or something similar). Both my boys came with me and if there was a reason to do a pelvic then they stepped out. Other than that, they were in there.
L.

as long as you're not having a vaginal exam (which I dont see why you would this early) there's no reason the kids cant go. The highlight of those appts was always hearing the heartbeat for me, and I bet your kids would enjoy that. It would probably make it seem more real to them too.

I took my daughter (then 10) to one appointment with an ultrasound. There were some concerns so we ended up in the dr office for about 4 hours! She got a little bored during the long waiting but she really enjoyed being there to see the baby! I would have taken her to more appointments but dr office is by work and I would have driven across town for her. I think it would be fine for a boy if you are just having a basic appointment if he is interested.

I think that it would be ok. The visits now they have you pee in a cup, measure you, weigh you, take your blood pressure and listen to the heart beat. If your daughter is that interested take her. Ask your son first, he may not want to go. I take my 3 yr old and she gets so excited to hear the heartbeat.

I think it is fine to take either or both of them with you. I would be sure that they were not in the room for an exam but for meauring of the belly, hearing the heartbeat, etc should be fine.

Your daughter has expressed an interest so I would definately take her. As for your son, ask him. It is fine for him to go but you don't want him to be uncomfortable.