any others out there?

I was SO angry earlier this week when the hospital where I'll have surgery insisted on giving me a pregnancy test as part of the pre-op. Didn't matter that there was absolutely no possibility of my being pregnant (of course gay women have children and can get pregnant, but that wasn't/isn't my situation, and besides I've been bleeding for the past 11 weeks)--it's a Catholic hospital so they have this policy. They said "it isn't that we don't trust you" but it IS that they don't trust the patients. Anyone having uterine surgery has to be tested. I just find that very insensitive and appallingly lacking in trusting the patient (me) to be truthful. I protested and said I do not want to pay for the test. Arg. Seems to me that I get other questions from doctors which show their assumptions about my sexuality. Arg arg arg.

Feeling angry tonight.

kirinphoebe

Unfortunately, hospitals do it to protect themselves legally. You wouldn't BELIEVE how many people come in there, claiming that a pregnancy would have to be an immaculate conception, then test positive.

Too bad a few have to ruin it for the rest, like some other stuff in life!

Take care, and keep us posted.

Dear kirin:

I had to get the pre-op preg test also, even tho my husband had a vasectomy a few years prior, and he is my only sexual partner.

It's not a trust issue directed at the patient, but IMO the medical community needs to be sure they aren't unintentionally terminating a pregnancy, and the blanket policy (for ALL women of childbearing age) addresses that.

I hope you are feeling calmer today. I am sending huge cyberhugs

They gave me a pregnancy test too. I'm 45, my husband had a vasectomy, and I'd already had a uterine ablation at that hospital. I mean, what were the odds I was pregnant after all that? I was told that they were required to do it though.

Yep...I had to have a preganancy test also before surgery.

I actually had several pregnancy tests. I did (3) months of lupron shots to shrink my fibroids enough for my surgery. And I had a pregnancy test before each shot. My DH and I just started joking about it. At 46, I had no interest in the baby dept. any more. I had more pregnancy tests in pre-op then I did in my whole adult life!!

Best wishes,

Mary

I don't think it's a trust thing, either. I believe they truly need to know you aren't pregnant.

What if you were one of the ladies desperate for a child (but assuming you can't conceive because of your problms), they DIDN'T test, and it turned out you were pregnant when they did surgery? It does happen, and it is much easier for them to test everyone rather than to take the chance.

I have no idea if they tested me or not. I had a tubal ligation in 2000, but that's not 100% effective, either. Tubes can fuse back together.

I know this is frustrating for you, but I don't think they're picking on you.

It's not a trust thing. I had one mid November when I had my laparoscopy and then I have to have another one next week before the hyster. It's just policy and precaution.

They did a pregnancy test on me too the day of surgery. My dh had a vasectomy years ago and I was 51 at the time of surgery. Also had my period the day of surgery so you'd think that would be a clue too.

Don't take it personally, they're just trying to protect everyone involved.

Sending you lots of s that the rest of your week goes well.

Blessings,
Judy