STMs—Changing OBs

mrsclark731

Is anyone changing OBs this time around? Out of necessity or negative experience? 

I am just curious to hear other experiences

mrsclark731

I’m not sure why, but all my posts from the app are only half posting? 

Here is the rest of my comment:

Is anyone changing OBs this time around? Out of necessity or negative experience? 

I am just curious to hear other experiences


I had had a very traumatizing emergency c section 3.5 years ago that resulted in my 10lb baby doing a stint in the NICU. I had 3 epidurals, 2 failed and one with my own blood after they punctured my spinal fluid colum. I wasn’t sure if it was as horrible as I remembered until my new midwife told me she read all of my medical history and was surprised I was considering having another baby. 

k2k2tog

I changed care providers halfway through my last pregnancy. I was with an OB for my first pregnancy. Started my second pregnancy with the same OB, but we moved at around 20 weeks, and by some stroke of luck or fate or something, got in with the local midwifery clinic. 

My experience was night and day. I had a fairly good OB - an ultrasound tech described her to me as the closest thing to a midwife without actually being a midwife - but I still felt like she rushed through my care, not explaining things like why I was getting blood work, why I suddenly put on 10 pounds in a month and what it meant for my health, etc. My first birth was fine, as far as births go, but my OB was not on call (she was just leaving when I was coming in) and what I wanted for my birth was not supported. 

And then the midwives. Each appointment was scheduled to be an hour long (vs. 15 minutes). They were generally on time (vs. 1-2 hours late). They explained things so clearly and in depth. They supported what I wanted for my birth (home birth!). They stayed by my side when things didn't go as planned. And my post partum care was amazing.

That said. I'm not sure where you're location, but here in Ontario, health care is generally pretty regulated and switching OBs won't necessarily get you a different birth experience. If you've switched to a midwife, things may be different for you - depending on the practice - and it's definitely important to discuss any anxiety and lingering trauma from your past experience with them. 

DressageDarling

I was seriously contemplating switching OBs this time around. *TW* After my miscarriage, I had a false positive. I called the nurses’ line and was treated rather poorly.

I ended up calling the same OBs office when I got pregnant again because I honestly didn’t look into any other places yet. I’m been really happy with the level of care so far, so I may end up just staying. They got me in to get my betas pulled/progesterone tested the same day I called and have overall been helpful. I’m hoping my bad experience was a one off at this point. 

bluesky24

I moved halfway through my first pregnancy and got a new OB at 32 weeks. Ended up being fine and since then, we moved again so I have yet another new OB. There are usually plenty of good options so please do find someone you like and are comfortable with. 

Cubslove12

I LOVE my doctor, I originally didn't he's lacking in bedside manners, but then I had a rough time and he was straightforward, always will fit you in, and is genuinely invested (even called me on his vacation to give me test results). I do not love the hospital, the delivery nurses were amazing, then everyone else sucked, I felt so unimportant and rushed most of the time or forgotten... I wish I could switch hospitals and keep doctors... O well, I'd rather have my doctor. 

ElleJDubs

I have thought about switching because of one doctor with terrible bedside manner but there are 3 others that I like. Hopefully I dont get the one I don't like when I deliver!

psychobutthead

I'm not using who I had with my pregnancy with my son. That woman was god awful about my last 2 pregnancies. I stayed with her because I chalked it up to pregnancy hormones making her seem so terrible.
 
She was always rude and would never answer questions. Tried to guilt me for sleeping so much when I went on maternity leave after working my whole pregnancy on my feet all day everyday. 

coffeeislife

I am switching OB's this time around but only because we moved. I wanted to just go back to the old place honestly, but DH thinks it is too far when there is a perfectly capable hospital less than 10 minutes away. He will be mostly staying with DD other than the first night so he wants to be close by. I get it. I don't have a feeling either way for the OB's at my new practice because I only met with one of them when I had an IUD insertion years ago. 

SpaceBurger

@mrsclark731 That sounds so scary! Are you nervous for this time? It's crazy how the haze of births and newborns can make you just kind of forget things. Were the 3 epidurals while you were trying to go for a vaginal birth? 

I'm super duper nervous because I had a 4th degree tear with my first because a vacuum, and my baby was almost 10lbs. It was awful and took over a year to fully heal. I'm also nervous about a c section even though they recommend it after having such a bad tear. Anyways, I'm switching OBs only because my beloved NP that I saw for my first moved to a different location. A new hospital opened up really close to me too, so I'm hoping for a great new experience. 

zuuls_mom

I really don't want to switch this time around since my OB and hospital I had DS at are amazing, but now that I have a different job than last time, it takes me way longer to get to my appts, they are usually running late and then I have to drive all the way back so a 15 min appt will take at least 2 hrs. That's a little daunting to me since I have only been at this job a year and I don't want to look like I am taking advantage. I'm torn!

kvh22

I love my OB so won't be switching. I'm so excited to get to go to her again. She didn't always tell me what I wanted to hear and is a bit more cautious than others in terms of food you should avoid (that some now say is okay) and a few other things. I say go with your gut if you want to switch.

Mehand2

I’m switching. I liked my OB last time but ended up needing a c section. I am switching to midwives to give myself the best shot at having a VBAC.

keighty80

I won’t be having the same OB for this one because I moved 2.5 hours away from my doctor. I loved him and I credit him with saving my son’s life by diagnosing my incompetent cervix. I’m really sad that I won’t have him again. 

If if you want to switch, you’ve gotta so what you feel is best. Go with your gut! I had met with another OB last week after my BFP (I had made the appointment back in June for my yearly) and their test came up negative. She kept brushing me off saying it was a false positive. I was like, I’VE HAD THREE POSITIVES! And she finally sent me for blood work (to humor me, I assume). Well, it was positive. But she told me that I was still too early to have a full OB appointment and to come back in a month. 

Yea, I realize it was a super early appointment. But I told her from the start that I had already made it months ago for my yearly exam. But then I got my bfp and figured I’d still go in if that was okay with them. I called to explain my situation and They told me on the phone that was fine but then she was super dismissive. I’m not staying with her. I’m high risk and I need a doctor who will listen to me, even if they think I’m being over anxious. And she is not that type. 

I have a solid recommendation for another OB who I made an appointment with on the 24th. By then, I’ll be like 7 weeks so hopefully he’ll take me seriously.

Yikes. I’m so riled up just thinking how rude she was. Lol Hormones, amiright?!

merrylea

I love my Dr, but she is in family practice and not an OB/GYN. Last pregnancy I ended up with and unplanned csection after 26+ hrs of labor, so she will not take my pregnancy. It’s so hard to find a Dr! 

I has originally called and made an appt at one place, but read online that she is pro-life. As an AMA person that would get genetic screening, that doesn’t jive with me, esp if we need to make tough decisions so I canceled the appt.I am now going to a second clinic later today so they can pull betas. 

mrsclark731

@SpaceBurger yes, I’m very apprehensive but I’m trying my best to be positive and not make the next 9 months unbearable. I was 41+1 and I had a failed induction. I never went into labor naturally. I had two failed epidurals while laboring for more than 24 hours on pitocin. The baby was in distress as was I and the OB let it go for far too long. I was exhausted and pumped full of so much fluid I couldn’t wear shoes for a month. Recovery from surgery was horrible. I’m hoping a planned section is better/easier like everyone says it is 

sleepy33

I called my last OB to see about an appointment. The lady was all huffy and informed me that I had a balance of $100 from my first child 5 years ago, and that I had to pay that before they would schedule me. I lol'd. I moved shortly after my last child was born, and the final bill must've gotten lost in the mail. She acted like I was trying to pull a fast one. Ok, Karen, the hundred bucks is no problem, take my CC number and let's move on. 

sheslikeasunburn

I am because my doctor moved to California.  It's for the best probably - as now I work and live downtown (doc was in midtown...as was my job at the time).  I still haven't graduated from my fertility clinic, but I have an idea of who I am going with.  Unfortunately it means switching hospitals, which I am the most hesitant about.  But how bad can it be?

ETA: i LOVED my old doc and hospital so I am sad over this change

SpaceBurger

@mrsclark731 I bet it will go much much better this time around with a planned C. You'll do great!

ElleJDubs

@mrsclark731 I was 41+2 with my first and also had a failed induction! I had a planned c-section with my second and it really was so much better. I'm still nervous, especially going in for a 3rd C-section but my recovery last time was fairly easy so hoping it goes the same for yours and mine this time!

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keighty80 said:

I won’t be having the same OB for this one because I moved 2.5 hours away from my doctor. I loved him and I credit him with saving my son’s life by diagnosing my incompetent cervix. I’m really sad that I won’t have him again. 

If if you want to switch, you’ve gotta so what you feel is best. Go with your gut! I had met with another OB last week after my BFP (I had made the appointment back in June for my yearly) and their test came up negative. She kept brushing me off saying it was a false positive. I was like, I’VE HAD THREE POSITIVES! And she finally sent me for blood work (to humor me, I assume). Well, it was positive. But she told me that I was still too early to have a full OB appointment and to come back in a month. 

Yea, I realize it was a super early appointment. But I told her from the start that I had already made it months ago for my yearly exam. But then I got my bfp and figured I’d still go in if that was okay with them. I called to explain my situation and They told me on the phone that was fine but then she was super dismissive. I’m not staying with her. I’m high risk and I need a doctor who will listen to me, even if they think I’m being over anxious. And she is not that type. 

I have a solid recommendation for another OB who I made an appointment with on the 24th. By then, I’ll be like 7 weeks so hopefully he’ll take me seriously.

Yikes. I’m so riled up just thinking how rude she was. Lol Hormones, amiright?!

WTF? There was no reason for her to be so rude and dismissive.  I can't believe she kept telling you it was a false positive.  I actually saw my new OB today and i too had originally made the appointment for something else.  My doctor was completely thrilled for me and she explained everything thoroughly even though I'm a STM. Please run away from this cuckoo head.  I hope you find a more caring doctor!

ashleaf2018

I loved my OB for DS but she is in high demand and all booked up this time around. I’m having to see a new doctor at the practice and he literally just started in August. I’m super nervous about it and I really want my old OB.

keighty80

expandcontract said:

keighty80 said:

I won’t be having the same OB for this one because I moved 2.5 hours away from my doctor. I loved him and I credit him with saving my son’s life by diagnosing my incompetent cervix. I’m really sad that I won’t have him again. 

If if you want to switch, you’ve gotta so what you feel is best. Go with your gut! I had met with another OB last week after my BFP (I had made the appointment back in June for my yearly) and their test came up negative. She kept brushing me off saying it was a false positive. I was like, I’VE HAD THREE POSITIVES! And she finally sent me for blood work (to humor me, I assume). Well, it was positive. But she told me that I was still too early to have a full OB appointment and to come back in a month. 

Yea, I realize it was a super early appointment. But I told her from the start that I had already made it months ago for my yearly exam. But then I got my bfp and figured I’d still go in if that was okay with them. I called to explain my situation and They told me on the phone that was fine but then she was super dismissive. I’m not staying with her. I’m high risk and I need a doctor who will listen to me, even if they think I’m being over anxious. And she is not that type. 

I have a solid recommendation for another OB who I made an appointment with on the 24th. By then, I’ll be like 7 weeks so hopefully he’ll take me seriously.

Yikes. I’m so riled up just thinking how rude she was. Lol Hormones, amiright?!

WTF? There was no reason for her to be so rude and dismissive.  I can't believe she kept telling you it was a false positive.  I actually saw my new OB today and i too had originally made the appointment for something else.  My doctor was completely thrilled for me and she explained everything thoroughly even though I'm a STM. Please run away from this cuckoo head.  I hope you find a more caring doctor!

Right?! I was like yes, I realize your test came back negative. Yes, I realize that it's a super early pregnancy. But I got THREE positives at home before I came here. I'm not a statistician but I'm knowledgeable enough to know that three false positives is HIGHLY unlikely. I was not a fan of that lady. I hope my next appointment with the new OB goes better! 

breweber2010

Both of the doctors I saw for my first pregnancy have left the area.  The clinic has also been absorbed by the local hospital, so pretty much everyone I'll be seeing this time around will be new.  I'm not too worried though since I mostly saw the ARNPs for my appointments.  Yay nurses!

thegirlwhowaited_

This is my first pregnancy, but technically I have a new OB. My original OBGYN I'd been seeing for my annuals, when we first started trying, as well as labs for when we reached a year. She ended up moving like 3 weeks after I saw her about not being pregnant after 12 months. I really liked her too so I though it was going to be really difficult to find someone else I liked that much. Right after she left my annual was due so I just made an appointment with another one of the doctors in the same practice thinking I would try it and if it didn't work I could just find another practice/doctor. I LOVED the new OBGYN I had my annual with. It also turned out she is best friends with my RE and delivered my RE's baby last year. Needless to say my OB and RE make a great team and I couldn't be happier.

elizabeth8684

Yes. I am. My previous OB made numerous mistakes at the end of my pregnancy that almost cost our daughter her life. My husband and I have already decided that if we don’t like our new doctor we will switch again, even if I’m about to deliver.

expandcontract

I had been seeing my previous OB for 10+ years.  I was devastated when i found out they were selling their practice to this large company. The company i work for is that company's #1 competition so no way my insurance would allow me to see them.  Anyhow, i was literally in tears freaking out what i was going to do. 
Fast forward a few months, i reluctantly picked out a new OB. She didn't have anything available right away (I was in tremendous pain from endo) so i ended up seeing someone else from that practice.  Everything happens for a reason because i really like this new OB whom i got stuck with. 
Ironically,  she herself has had IF issues and delivered two babies after multiple IUI attempts.  So she "gets it." 
I think she'll do a great job with my care.  

DuchessOfCambridge

I almost decided to switch just because there is a hospital closer to me. But, I think I'm very likely to have a repeat CS (may attempt VBAC) and I trust my current OB/that hospital to perform surgery over the less good one close by, and my current hospital also has a level III NICU, which we did end up needing last time.

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@DuchessOfCambridge I say you should stick with your old one. Don't want to take any chances. 

c1kc1kpol1cn1k

Not sure but is anyone who started with an OB for the first pregnancy switching over to midwife for the second? I'd love to hear some thoughts on this!

foodislove

We moved end of last year, so I have a new OB. I'm sad because I really liked my regular OB/GYN and the OB who ended up attending to me when the c-sec became inevitable. He did a good job, I healed up great despite all my panic and worry. I like my new OB so far, but I only met her once for my annual. I did mention TTC at the time (we put it off) and the possibility of a VBAC, which she's all for as long as baby is in a good position 2-3 weeks before due date. So far, I'm happy and unconcerned other than I don't like that it'll be a hospital I'm unfamiliar with.

mrsclark731

I I appreciate everyone sharing their stories and is comforting I’m not the only one! Your OB is (obviously) a very intimate part of the entire giving birth thing, and familiarity is a hard thing to leave unless forced. 

@cikcikpolicnik I’ve switched to a practice where I will primarily see a midwife, but there are two OBs and another midwife there. My last successful pregnancy I was with a large group of OBs and was quite traumatizing. *TW* I misscarried at 10 weeks in April and this office bent over backwards for me dealing with moving and difficult insurance. My midwife even called me on her day off to see how I was doing. End *TW* My first appointment seeing my midwife isn’t until the first week in October and I also suspect she would let me attempt a VBAC if I wanted, although I don’t want to at all 

DuchessOfCambridge

@mrsclark731 I’m so sorry your birth experience was so traumatic. Have you been to therapy about it? I’ve been pretty against it but 10 months later I’m finally admitting I may not be able to handle my experience on my own and am seeing a birth trauma therapist next week. I’m really hoping it helps. 

elizabeth8684

@DuchessOfCambridge how did you find a birth trauma specialist? I think I need one but haven’t been able to find someone who I think would be able to help me with what happened.

booksunshine

I’m changing obs because I despise the hospital she’s associated with and I had a horrid experience with the staff at the hospital everytime I went... So changing so that I don’t torture myself with poor patient care

DuchessOfCambridge

@elizabeth8684 I found her on www.PsychologyToday.com - you can filter by providers who take your insurance and those who have experience with postpartum issues. 

Also, while I can’t take the place of a therapist, I’m happy to listen if you need to vent or are having a bad day  

elizabeth8684

@DuchessOfCambridge thank you so much. I really appreciate it. I never dealt with what happened and a lot of old feelings are coming up now that I am pregnant again.

jessica41879

@cikcikpolicnik I am using a midwife this time around, I used an OB for my first. My OB was actually great but I didn’t get much time with her each appointment. Also it is a very large practice so odds of her being on call to deliver my baby was slim. My delivery OB was terrible. Absolutely terrible thank goodness I had a doula who actually had to step in and help deliver. It just made me realize how important the delivery doc is. The midwife practice I go to now is amazing I will meet with all four throughout my pregnancy and one of them will deliver. Also much more personalized attention. 

ETA: my doula helped deliver happened to be a nurse- most are not DD was coming out quickly and after pushing the call button and physically calling for help the OB was nowhere in site, OB eventually came but I was sure glad I had my doula in the room! 

c1kc1kpol1cn1k

@jessica41879 I feel like this is my same experience. I had an amazing OB appointments were great, when it came to delivery I had this really rude OB that I read reviews about being too aggressive and just sassy to her patients. Luckily I also had my doula there who was calming and my own birth was really great that it went ok. I just wish that for the aftercare I had more support and I know I even hired a lactation consultant to come afterwards. 

kmw611

@mrsclark731 I also had a traumatizing csection with my first. I am considering making the switch to a midwife this time for several reasons first and foremost being I really don't want a hospital
birth. I blame them for my csection 100%. It was a holiday weekend and interventions I didn't agree with or want were pushed on me repeatedly under threat of "well you're just going to have a csection then because you aren't progressing". I didn't know any better at the time, I didn't have the support of my child's father for the entire pregnancy, and didn't have anyone but myself to advocate for my wishes and I wasn't prepared for that much resistance. My fiancé and I start interviewing midwives next week. I like that option because our appointments will be an hour long instead of a rushed 15 minutes as they were with my OB. Plenty of time to get my questions answered and feel like mine and my finance's concerns are being addressed. What solidified the decision for me was when I went to my appointment to confirm my pregnancy with my previous OB, I was left sitting in the waiting room an hour past my appointment time for a urinalysis...what!? I didn't even need to see an OB just a nurse or MA to pee in a cup. Absolutely ridiculous. Anyway, after waiting so long the test strip was negative so I was sent for blood work and told I would receive the results within a few hours. Yea I called the next day at 2PM to find out what was going on because I hadn't gotten any results yet and the receptionist said they forgot...ok, I'm done then. Time for a new care provider in my opinion. 

TLDR: yep I'm changing to a midwife. Sorry for the novel. 

jessica41879

@cikcikpolicnik yep this exactly.  And same with the location consultant. DH is a little hesitant but on board. I feel really good about the decision.