Do you have Kaiser??

mrsnicolew

I delievered DD before we made the switch to Kaiser so this is my first PG with them. In your experience how has your care been so far? I made my first appt. They said they wanted to do it next week but we're out of town so it's the following week (I'll only be 6 weeks then) and it is with the nurse practitioner. They said that after this first appt all my others will be with my OB. When I had my DD my OB wouldn't see me until I was 8-10 weeks so I was shocked when they wanted to see me so soon this time. Has this been your experience too? Is it a normal 1st OB visit, vitals, history, pelvic exam, questions?? I'm sorry I'm so lame. Just one of those people that like to be prepared and Kaiser is still really new for me.

Thanks ladies!

MrsCarroll.6-10-07

That's how it is done in most places. the OB nurse at my practice took my history and sent me for my initial lab work (like all the vials of blood to test for various diseases) and then my 1st appointment is with one of my OB Drs on Thursday. I was only able to get my betas done because I had a follow up appointment right after my BFP anyway.

HapPapFam

I still have kaiser. I had no problems with my pregnancy care with DS almost 4 years ago. But you see a different dr every time you go for a visit. sometimes is a NP, sometimes OB, and sometimes Midwife, its just changes every time. I dont really like that part about it, but I have had no problem with the level of care they provide.

MrsCarroll.6-10-07

OH and I don't have Kaiser, I have FHHS, but I think that's standard for most insurances now.

mwalliser

sorry... but what is Kaiser?

simbaroo27

I have KP (southern california).  They had me come in to pee in a cup and validate that I was pregnant.  Then I saw a nurse and had to fill out all the paperwork and sign my life away.  Then and only then would they schedule my first appt. I was scheduled with a NP and have chosen NOT to change.  I LOVE her.  And since the hospitals all have different doctors, I would most likely not see the same person at delivery. 

 My first appt was at 8 weeks and they did an internal exam, internal u/s and answered all questions.  My NP believes in doing u/s at EVERY appt and that's another reason I'm sticking with her.  Your doctor could be different and chose not to do them. 

If you don't like the OB you see, feel free to change after the first appt. 

I would say so far, I'm pleased.  Good luck with your pregnancy. 

DiscusCoach

Ah - Kaiser. Most people in my area have Kaiser. I do not but I went through the whole process with my BFF as her baby daddy took off (yeah - it sounds as trashy as it was).

She did not have one OB. They didn't assign her a specific one for delivery because, with Kaiser here in the Bay Area, they don't know who is going to be on call. My BFF explained that it really didn't matter anyway because it was the nurses who were with you 99% of the time and they were all on rotating shifts. No one ever seems to complain about not knowing the nurse ahead of time. She made a good point and, when it came to delivery, we literally only saw the doc for like 10 minutes (the baby came crazy fast).

She was happy with Kaiser. I think if I went with them I might think seriously about a doula so that I had someone there who knew what was going on (better than DH).

karlybarly

I do. I personally have been very pleased with the care that I have gotten. (So Cal) I can choose to see the same Dr/NP/ midwife if I choose too. I have gotten a lot of information also.

My first appt is a lot of paperwork/pee/ blood work. Then they schedule your first appt.

Good Luck!

Mrs.Telly

I went to my first appt. at Kaiser when I was 7 weeks.  They sent me a packet of information to fill out about health history myself and DH.  Then when I got to the office they confirmed my pregnancy with a pee test.  Asked if I had any questions, gave a pap, entered my question answers into the computer.  Then they used the vag cam to confirm that there was only one baby and I put my clothes back on and it was over.  All in all, not a terrible experience.  It did feel a little cookie cutter but with the huge coorporation that they are running it is bound to feel a little rushed.

miss_beckman

mwalliser:

sorry... but what is Kaiser?

Im with you-

I have no idea-

miss_beckman

is Kaiser like

a Doula??

Soon2bMrs.NeilD

Kaiser is a health provider https://www.kaiserpermanente.org/

We have Kaiser and so far I've been really happy with everything. I had to go in to confirm BFP with them and then was able to make an appt. Last Friday was my appointment with the Nurse Practicioner and I filled out paperwork and they gave me tons of paperwork. Right after I saw a OB and she did an internal and gave me print outs of the babies! I was so happy with this and was even able to hear their little heart beats. Then I was sent to labs for blood/urinie work. Been getting all my results online as I'm signed up through their site.

Next week (8-9wks) I have an appt. with midwife the at 10-11 wks I have an appt. with OB. I chose who I wanted to see.

One more thing. Two weeks ago I went in to urgent care since I was bleeding. Everything turned out to be a-okay but I was really happy with their service. The doctor was very reassuring and did a ton of tests, which is how we found out early on there were two...

fionacaitlin

I have Kaiser & have had a really great experience so far.....

I went to my OB approx. 4 weeks in just to confirm my pregnancy. I met with him & we talked about all the do's & dont's, etc...told me what hospital I would deliver at...& he told me to email him anytime with ANY minor questions.

Then I went to my 8.5 week appt. & they did the ultrasound. It was with my OB again & we talked after the ultrasound about any questions. Then I met with a prenatal clerk & filled out paperwork, etc.& made 3 other appts. Then I went & did blood work and all that fun stuff!

Just to find out our coverage switches to Sutter in July = )

Good luck! I've been very happy with Kaiser. H&H 9 months!

citrusfsh

I am also new to Kaiser.  And this is my first pregnancy.  I went into the office to get a test because I thought I needed to 'prove' I'm pregnant before making an appointment.  but that was not the case, the receptionist told me that home tests are just as accurate.  The earliest I could get an appointment was 8 weeks (tomorrow!!).  This appointment is with my OB and I will get a u/s.  My good friend had 2 babies through Kaiser and had a great experience with both.  The only thing she didn't like was with her last was her OB was not on-call, so she did have whoever was on-call delivering.  

logansmommy71

I switched to Kaiser when DH and I got married, and pregnant. I had United Healthcare before. I am very impressed with Kaiser. I like the way all your doctors work together for you. That way everyone is on the same page and you don't have to go explaining everything all over again to other doctors.

My first prenatal appt was at 9 weeks with the NP. Filled out a bunch of paperwork, urine sample, pelvic exam and PAP smear, and ultrasound. They sent me home with a packet of paperwork to fill out, stuff about what kind of genetic testing I wanted done, and pre-registry papers for the hospital. Blood work. I was SO sick and dehydrated all the time from morning sickness, she gave me Zofran and I've been taking it every day. It saved my pregnancy really, another doctor with a previoud pregnancy wouldn't do that for me and I lost the baby.

At my second appt, 4 weeks later, I saw the NP again, urine sample, vitals, fetal doppler to hear heartbeat. Then they sent me over to talk with the registration lady who took all my paperwork and explained everything to me and took care of all the pre-registration stuff. She went over genetic testing and everything. Then she sent me over to see the Early Start Specialist, a lady who talks with you about your life, any worries and feeling you have about the pregnancy, really just focuses on you. She gave me info on how to enroll in all the childbirth classes, made sure I got set up for the L+D tour. There are SO many classes and support groups, and most are free. Blood Work.

4 weeks later, I saw the OB that Kaiser had picked for me, I hated her because she was rude and didn't listen to me or spend any time talking with me, so I always see the NP. It sucks that she doesn't deliver, but we have become pretty close and when I'm having my baby, which is probably gonna be tonight lol, all I have to do is ask them to call her and she said she would come if she could. She even went with me to some of my blood tests because I usually pass out.

The next few appts were quick and easy. Urine sample, Vitals, Fetal Doppler.  She always answered all of my questions.

The big US at 18 weeks went smoothly, I had another one at 20 weeks because they wanted a better look at his heart. Things were great.

I like that all your test results and summaries of your visits are available on the website. You can email your doctors and pharmacists. Schedule Appts, all that. The advice nurse hotline is really helpfull to me, my old insurance didnt have any of that.

I took my GD test at 36 weeks, failed the 1 hour and 3 hour. Now controlling GD with diet.

I was seen at 34 weeks, 36 weeks, and every week after that. 

The L+D tour was really helpfull, got to ask all my questions. I have been in three times so far. Once for preterm labor, which turned out to be muscle spasms caused my sciatica, physical therapy did wonders for this throughout my pregnancy. Two weeks ago because I thought my water broke, the doctor told me I just peed all over myself in the middle of the night, or it was some kind of mystery fluid, that kinda make me mad but I'm over it. Last night for contractions and it turns out im in early labor. 

When you get to L+D first you have to get past security, no biggie, they just need DH's ID and give him a tag. Then they have triage, they immediately hook you up and get you in bed and check out whatever issue you're having. Last night the girl in the bed next to me got an epidural within 10 minutes of getting there, they had not even admitted her yet. She was 4 cm. Triage is where they decide if you need to stay or go home. Once you are admitted you go into your delivery room. My hospital is kinda old but it's not bad. Private bathroom and shower. You recover in your delivery room. Then they move you to a mother/baby room. At my hospital they dont have any private rooms but they try to keep everyone spread out so there is only a small chance you will get a room mate. If you get one, DH can no longer stay the night with you. Also they do your blood work and give you an IV with a saline lock as soon as youre admitted, no matter how dilated you are or whatever, if you say you want an epi, you get one right away. I like that a lot cause I know by the time I ask for one Im gonna want it right then.

 

mrsnicolew

Wow! Thank you so much everyone.

Logansmommy, that was amazingly helpful! I hope you meet your sweet little boy today! Best of luck to you! You're in my thoughts and prayers!