Gynecologist/pediatric gynecologist for 13-year-old recommendations

[Anonymous]

My daughter was in a bike accident in which she fell off the seat onto the bar. It was horrifically painful and embarrassing for her. We went to the ER last Tuesday night and to her pediatrician's office the next day. She is still bruised, swollen and sore in the vulva area and I'd like her to see some sort of specialist. I will be calling her pediatrician's office in the morning, but am looking for a Montgomery County pediatric gynecologist, if such a thing exists, or a gynecologist recommendation (I have a history of cancer so see a gynecological oncologist rather than a generalist). If anyone has experience with this type of injury and recovery, I'd like to hear about it. Thanks for any help.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP. Honestly, I think it's OK at 13 for your daughter to see a regular gynecologist for the first time, especially for this. Someone here probably has a rec for one they like and are comfortable with (I go to Birthcare for my well women care, so I don't have a rec).

Also, I've bruised myself there in all sort of interesting and embarrassing accidents involving bikes and roller skates over the years. Bruising tends to look and feel worse before it gets better. It's a tender area, and a bruise there just plain sucks. It WILL get better, though.

Sorry your daughter had to go through this.

[Anonymous]

If you're willing to go into DC, my OB/Gyn at Georgetown, Megan Breen, seems like she would be a good pick for a teen - she is very warm and reassuring. Of course, she's also very hard to get an appointment with, but may hold spots for this kind of emergency care.

[Anonymous]

Mary Delaney has a subspecialty in adolescent gyn.

She was formerly at Foxhall and is not with Burke.

301-652-7623

[Anonymous]

pp here, I meant she is now with Brenden Burke.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the suggestions. I found a gyn who does pediatrics/teens and managed to snag a cancelled appointment time this afternoon. However, this doc wasn't awfully warm and my daughter refused to get undressed. So the doc got all snippy, said she wouldn't force her and walked out. Now I'm mad at both of them. I have tried to be very understanding and sympathetic with my daughter, but she is so intensely private that I have no idea what's going on in her head at this point. I don't stay in the room during her exams or while she's changing. Until now, I hadn't see her naked in at least 2 years.

I spent most of the day finding the doctor and taking her there instead of working. At this point, I'm just going to hope it heals on its own.

[Anonymous]

I highly recommend Veronica Gomez Lobo- she's a pediatric adolescent gynecologist with office hours at Children's Hospital and Georgetown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the suggestions. I found a gyn who does pediatrics/teens and managed to snag a cancelled appointment time this afternoon. However, this doc wasn't awfully warm and my daughter refused to get undressed. So the doc got all snippy, said she wouldn't force her and walked out. Now I'm mad at both of them. I have tried to be very understanding and sympathetic with my daughter, but she is so intensely private that I have no idea what's going on in her head at this point. I don't stay in the room during her exams or while she's changing. Until now, I hadn't see her naked in at least 2 years.

I spent most of the day finding the doctor and taking her there instead of working. At this point, I'm just going to hope it heals on its own.

Out of curiosity, did you prepare your daughter for what the exam would entail? Did she know going into it there would be an expectation she would get need to get undressed?

[Anonymous]

OP again. Of course, I prepared her. Part of it is that she's had an ER doc look at it, as well as a cursory glance from the pediatrician. I think she's tired of having to reveal herself. And I don't really blame her. Even the nurse told her she wouldn't have to do the stirrups or have an internal exam. Still I think she got to the point of enough is enough.

I've cooled down and my daughter has too. My main worry is that she might still need medical attention, but from what I've read it really will most likely resolve on its own, albeit slowly. We talked tonight about the seeming contradiction between personal privacy and being responsible for the health of your body by seeing a doctor, and have come to the agreement that she will tell me if she feels like it's getting worse or if she'd like to go to a doctor again.

Thirteen is a hard, hard age...just in case anyone needed a reminder.

[Anonymous]

Anjali Martinez at GWU has a subspecialty in adolescent gynecology.

[Anonymous]

How about taking her to a midwife, often known for more personable, warm, gentle care. Whitney Pinger or Alice Bailes come to mind as great options.