What to expect during your visits
Compassion is the cornerstone of our gynecological care for kids. At Children’s Minnesota, we diagnose and treat pediatric or adolescent gynecological issues using a combination of knowledge, skill and a knack for connecting with kids and teenagers, even when it comes to the most delicate personal health issues.
Preparing for a clinic visit
If your child’s care journey starts in one of our gynecologist’s offices, knowing what to expect helps make the first visit less stressful. Before the visit, talk about it with your child. Show them a photo of the doctor from our directory. With younger kids, it may also help to draw pictures (stick figures work just fine!). Your child may also be asked to provide a urine sample. Don’t worry — we value privacy too. We don’t broadcast any requests — this is just between us and our patients.
A safe haven for speaking up
In a private exam room, a gynecologist will review your child’s medical history and talk with you both about any concerns or questions you have. We always encourage open communication between teens and their parents but we may ask parents to step out of the room while we chat with the patient for a few moments in an open, honest manner.
If our team’s gynecologist recommends an exam, the patient is given the option to have it completed in private or with a parent in the room.
Examinations typically concentrate on a patient’s abdomen, pelvis, breasts (puberty assessment) and outer genital area, and our team is always respectful and gentle to minimize any apprehension. We’ll communication with your child about exactly what we are going to do during an exam and proceed carefully.
After the examination, the gynecologist will sit down with you and your child to review recommendations and treatment options.
Putting your mind at ease
If our team finds that surgery is appropriate and the best procedure for care, your child’s gynecologist will explain the surgical procedure and the risks and benefits of surgery.
We expect you to ask us lots of questions. We consider patients and their parents as part of the team, so we make sure you have the information you need to decide which treatment works best for your kid.
If you decide to proceed with the surgery, the scheduler will arrange a future surgery time with you. Once you have a surgery date, you may call the surgery scheduler if you have any questions or if you need to change the date.
As we move forward with care, we will continue to serve as your dedicated partner, talking you through every step of the way.
Appointment attendance and cancelation
We understand that life can be busy and plans change. If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, it’s important to contact the clinic right away so we can offer that time to another patient who needs care. For more details, visit our page on appointment attendance and no-show process.
