Switching doctors...

VelociMama

I'm not a huge fan of mine. He's a good doctor and gets my tests done on time, but I feel like he's very inaccessible with my questions. This is my first baby, and I ask a lot of questions, and he seems to just brush me off instead of giving me a comprehensive answer. Don't get me wrong, I'm not annoying him with 24/7 questions, but I do ask a few when I come in for my appointments.

Also, I feel like his nursing staff is somewhat incompetent. They can't seem to draw blood from me correctly and end up sticking me 5-6 times every time. They also don't seem to be able to listen to me when I tell them things.

So, again, have any of you switched doctors? If so, how did you do it? How did you find your new doctor? Was it worth it?

Mewlingstork

I've never switched doctors, but in my OB's office, there is the doctor and there is a nurse practitioner. It doesn't matter which I see, I pay the same prenatal care costs. So, of course, I try to see the doctor (PhD in bio-genetics, but also I just feel he's more qualified and interested in natural things, like we are). Very first visit, she put me off by patronizing me about my flu shot opinion (to not ever get one). Doctor is ok with natural birth, selective vax, etc.

I am lucky that our doctors are all linked with one system. When I see one doctor in one location, its all added to my universal medical record in their system. Same with the hospital. Small town.

If you don't feel like he listens or answers questions, I would definitely at least look for a different doctor. Same with his nursing staff. Do you have limits with insurance? Only certain doctors being covered? How many doctors are there? Here, there are only about 4 I could go to, the one I have being the only OB/GYN, rest are family docs. You really should be as comfortable as possible with your doctor! Good luck!

chickybuns

I haven't had to, but I really like my doctors. They do group care, so there are 4 of them I see, and I've met all but one and really like them. They always ask me if I have any questions, which I don't usually have too many, because I think I'm on the internet too much!! It sounds like a good decision for you, they should not be annoyed by your questions....you think they'd be used to it. And I especially don't blame you for the blood drawing thing, that's important!

BeckyJill7

I thought about switching but ended up staying with my dr. If you are uncomfortable with your ob, find another one. Call around, schedule interviews and switch. If you don't like confrontation, you can just switch and your new dr. will gather all of your info and paperwork. The people in the office can call and get it all. If you don't mind a little confrontation, have a meeting with your current dr. Let him know why you're leaving. I'm sure if you feel this way, there are other patients who feel the same way. Maybe the dr. doesn't realize what he's doing. He also may not know about the nursing staff- that would irritate me to no end.

You have to do what's right for you. Unfortunately, nobody else can. Take a stand- you'll feel so much better when you're comfortable. Good luck!

EmilyRanae22

I just got a refferal from my primary car doctor for a new GYN. I'm getting all the initial blood work done at the fertility clinic I've been going to but the GYN who referred me to the clinic is way more personable and now that I'm pregnant (a year later) I want to go back to her. I'll probably tell the nurse when they call to give me my blood tests back.

Mostly I'm switching because not only is he impersonal but he did an HSG (to make sure my tubes are open) without checking if I was pregnant and it turns out I was pregnant and HSG's are no good for babies...luckily my LO has been holding on and my hormones are going up, but I can't trust him now so i'm going to someone else

bushidowoman

I dumped doctors completely. OK, not *completely*; I will still see a doctor if a medical need arises. But I have healthy pregnancies with no medical issues, so I prefer a midwife instead. Since you are not happy with your current experience and are shopping around, I'm just throwing this idea out there so that you can decide if it's a good fit for you.

My OB visits used to take an hour to an hour and a half, but only about 15 minutes of that time was actually spent with the doctor. The rest was spent in the waiting room/exam room waiting to be seen. When I see my midwife, I ring her doorbell and go right in. No waiting. She spends about an hour with me--chatting, getting to know me, and I get to know her as well. She wants to know about my sleeping habits, my stress level, my diet and exercise, what sorts of discomforts I am experiencing, etc. She is used to children. There is a big basket of toys ready. She doesn't mind if they "interrupt." She visits with them, too.

In the past, when I have had a question, I would call my OB's office, speak to one of the office staff, maybe be passed on to a nurse, but almost never got to talk to the doctor himself. Sometimes the nurse would relay the message to the doctor, get his answer and call me back, but that could take hours. There have been a couple times where my question wasn't answered until the next day. I understand, they are busy delivering babies and stuff. They must prioritize their time. If it had been very important, surely I would have been addressed more quickly. I hope?
But with my midwife, I call her cell and she answers. Or I text and she texts back. Or I ask her "Can I meet you for lunch?"

Glucose test time--at the OB's, I have to drink a bottle of horrible orange stuff that makes me sick, then wait around a couple hours for them to test my blood sugar. With the midwife, I don't have to drink the orange stuff; I just have to consume 75 grams of sugars within 15 minutes (drink juice with my breakfast, add some jam to my toast, etc.) I also have the option of hanging out with her while waiting to test my blood sugar, or doing it myself at home and bringing her my results.Of course, I'd much prefer to do it myself at home.

Delivery time--at the hospital, the nurses check me in, monitor me, call the doctor when needed, and he's there for about the last 15 minutes to catch the baby.
My midwife comes to my house and spends the night on my couch, just in case those piddling contractions actually turn into something, because she knows I have a history of "going quick" once it's time. If they turn out to be nothing, she says "call me back if they start up again." And she comes again. And no, she doesn't act put off by it.

My midwife stays in the background and steps up if/when her assistance is needed, delivers babies calmly and gently, and her clients rarely get large tears. I got a horrible tear that didn't heal right delivering a normal-sized baby with my last hospital delivery. I got five stitches after delivering a 9lb6oz baby, who was also turned the wrong way, at home. My midwife has a 2% c-section rate, compared to the 40% c-section rate at our local hospitals.

Some midwives deliver in the hospital, some deliver in birthing centers, and some deliver in homes. Most offer some sort of childbirth classes, will loan you books to read, and will put you in touch with her other clients. If you have any questions, feel free to pm me.

VelociMama

Thanks all for the advice.

I'm going to start looking tomorrow for a new doctor and make some calls.

Unfortunately, I have a congenital heart condition, and this is my first pregnancy, so I really don't want to go without professional medical attention for this pregnancy. I have no idea if my labor will go okay or not at this point, so I've got a lot on my mind.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and stories.

lilchino4af

I'm seen by a certified nurse midwife who travels between 3 military bases and a military academy. The only time I'll be seen by an actual OB is in the delivery room (they work shifts so there's no guarantee who you'll get). So far I really like my midwife, so I can't complain.

bushidowoman

Thanks all for the advice.

I'm going to start looking tomorrow for a new doctor and make some calls.

Unfortunately, I have a congenital heart condition, and this is my first pregnancy, so I really don't want to go without professional medical attention for this pregnancy. I have no idea if my labor will go okay or not at this point, so I've got a lot on my mind.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and stories.

I can understand why you would feel a little nervous and want someone available to answer your questions. I hope you find someone who makes you feel comfortable!

VelociMama

Thanks all for the advice.

I'm going to start looking tomorrow for a new doctor and make some calls.

Unfortunately, I have a congenital heart condition, and this is my first pregnancy, so I really don't want to go without professional medical attention for this pregnancy. I have no idea if my labor will go okay or not at this point, so I've got a lot on my mind.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and stories.

I can understand why you would feel a little nervous and want someone available to answer your questions. I hope you find someone who makes you feel comfortable!

Thanks!

I really love the idea of a totally natural childbirth experience, but with my medical background, I'm not sure if it would be irresponsible of me to go that route. We shall see.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts anyway!

sandyfeet10

I am at my 3rd group!! The first one I went to didn't listen to me, had my name wrong 3 times, and told me that they thought my baby had a 50/50 chance of making it (24 weeks and strong now!).

I left that group and went to a very nice group, but I watched, "The Business of Being Born" and was inspired to find a birthing center.

I am now at a midwifery group that I adore. They will absolutely push for a natural process throughout the pregnancy and labor. They have had amazing suggestions on birthing classes and pediatricians that are in line with my philosophies on life and parenting.

I am thrilled to be with the midwifery group!!

maurierose

We had a great doctor but had to switch due to a change in my hubby's work coverage - I looked online, asked for referrals, checked all the "review a doc" sites, and switched to what we feel is another great doctor. It's sooo important to be comfortable with who you're seeing, to have them understand where you're coming from, and what you need from them, especially if you're dealing with high risk pregnancy, medical issues, difficult history, etc. Good luck with your search!!