Group appointments at doctor

KayDray15

My OBGYN offers the option to do group appointments with other moms due around the same time, or private appointments. They said the group is kind of a cross between a parenting class, and an appointment. A nurse/midwife/ doctor will take us into a room one by one to do our checkups, but the rest of the time will be spent with the group learning stiff, then we will have a postpartum party after all of the babies are born.

Has anyone else done group classes? I am not sure which rout to go. Might be a good way to make some mommy friends, but I don't know.

Thoughts?

NicknShan

I haven't done this at my OB, but our pediatric clinic offered a getting to know the Dr and parenting class with other expecting families. We didn't even talk to any of them. Most of my mom friends are all from my previous BMB.

likeabel

My SIL did a class like this and she always told me that she loved it. (I have my doubts that she actually liked it) She would describe the things they'd talk about and I'd just roll my eyes. It was not for me! I assume you'll get a warmer, more touchey-feeley experience with the group class. Just depends on your personality.

VikingGirl12

That sounds awesome. Great way to get to know other mamas! Wish my dr offered this.

TunieBee

I had a midwife friend do a huge research project on group OB appointments. If I remember correctly, patients love them and have better outcomes and healthier pregnancies in general

Scout27

My midwifery offers this too and I signed up. I like the extra educational stuff it offers and the potential to meet other parents to be. She also said if I don't like it I can switch to private appointments so I figured it was worth a try.

sthomas1222

This is called Centering at our hospital. Research is showing this to be a really great way to do prenatals & help establish relationships with others due at the same time. They've received a ton of grants to continue the program.

KayDray15

Great! I think I will give it a try. If I don't like it, I can always go back to normal appointments. The other nice thing is the class schedule is already done, so I know when all the appointments are up front and can let work know. I will update after I go to the first one with how it was!

Lilwatz

I've never heard of this.  If I had the time, I'd totally do it.

tslmom87

With my first I did it and loved it.

Knottie86418473

Not sure if this is the same thing you're talking about, but my first and only group appt schedule was a little bit of a s**t show. 

All moms were required to do their first appointment as a "group appointment" where I went. Required as in you cannot make any pre-natal appts until you go. It was not an ideal situation. All of these TWO HOUR appts fall in the middle of the day - when most people are at work. We were all crammed in a small meeting room (not fun when you have to pee every 15 minutes and feeling nauseated) where they gave us very general info that most women are likely to already know - especially the ones who had already had children and were also required to sit through this before being allowed to make an appt. They did not mention we were going to have to get bloodwork and I hadn't hardly eaten that day as I was feeling sick (first time ever I've felt faint after having blood drawn). I still don't know what they're testing for as they never told us. It was poorly organized, no one really knew where they were supposed to go for blood and urine tests and when those were over no one knew if were just supposed to leave or if there was more to it. The two people staffing this were largely unhelpful. A third of the time was spent waiting, a third in the little meeting room and the other third trying to figure out where we were supposed to be. Waste. Of. Time.

Then, they couldn't even get me an appt with a doctor for over a month (uhh...first trimester will be OVER by then and too late to do genetic testing) so first appt (not for 3 weeks) is with a nurse. 

Needless to say, I am not going with them (Sharp - blegh). Called Scripps and they were able to get me in quickly - and no waste-of-time group class!

KayDray15

Well that sounds terrible. I am going to give it a shot, but if that is what it is like I will be going back to private appointments. I like the idea of meeting other moms and babies that will be the same age as our baby, but not if it gives us bad care!