Awoman has shared screenshots of a virtual conversation that took place between her and a DoorDash driver following her takeout delivery.
After dropping off the food, the driver took the opportunity to ask the labor and delivery nurse—who goes by u/My-yogurtcloset37 on Reddit—a “feminine question.”
The woman later told one user in the comments: “My heart dropped to my b*** not knowing what to expect! Especially because his wife was in the car with him!! I thought it was going to be something super uncomfortable!”
Before the nurse could respond, the driver messaged: “What would my wife have to do and how would she go about it to get checked to see if her eggs are fertile or whatever.”
To which the nurse replied: “She would probably have to see a fertility specialist. Tell her to talk to her OBGYN and they can recommend or refer her to someone. Or the OB could potentially do a scan and bloodwork and check themselves.”
Newsweek spoke to registered nurse Stewart Parnacott, based in Beaumont, Texas, who explained this situation isn’t anything out of the ordinary. He shared how strangers often ask healthcare professionals questions outside of a clinical setting.
He said: “The ask might be at the gym, a social event, or even during a food delivery like that viral Reddit post. Most nurses and doctors hear questions about everything from rashes to medications at least a few times a week.
“There are rules on what can and cannot be said. A licensed provider cannot diagnose or treat someone outside a professional setting because that creates legal and safety issues.
“What most of us do is offer very general information and remind the person to see a doctor for anything serious or persistent. Sharing basic education is fine. Making a formal judgment about someone’s condition crosses the line.”
Parnacott, the chief clinical officer at healthcare provider Ready Wellness, added that professionals must keep the conversations general to avoid putting either party at risk.
Reflecting on the moment, the nurse wrote: “I answered it the best I knew how! [I] just so funny because I didn’t expect to be asked a ‘feminine question’ on DoorDash chat! And for that to be the question!”
She was praised for taking the time to respond. One user commented: “Kind of you to respond like that, definitely wasn’t easy to ask.”
Her compassionate reply reflects the public trust in the nursing profession. In 2024, nurses were ranked #1 in Gallup’s annual Most Honest and Ethical Professions Poll for the 22nd consecutive year. The American public rated nurses higher than professionals such as medical doctors, engineers, and veterinarians.