Switching OBs?

drewsgirl8

I am almost 19 weeks along.  My OB is considered high risk, but for a number of reasons I am having doubts.  He does not seem concerned about my headaches/BP (on labetalol) being elevated.  I called when it was 155/109 and was told to take a Tylenol.  I have been spilling protein since 13 weeks and have blood in urine (not visible).  I had to see his partner once and he referred me to a nephrologist.  I honestly don't think my regular doc would have done this.  I don't want to get to a point where something happens and I will have guilt that I didn't do everything possible for this LO. I know what my gut is telling me, but I guess I need to hear it from someone else.  Thanks.  

kamcfarlane

i had very little faith in my OB and didn't switch. since then, i have heard of 3 other people having issues with this clinic, which is everyone i've ever found that had heard of them (and we're in a bigger city). looking back, i wish i had switched.

i would switch if i were you. good luck with everything!

JennlovesAustin

Wow... that would make me uncomfortable and I would switch unless he has reasons not to treat you or see any of that as a threat.

electricdoctor83

I switched OB's at the end of my first trimester.  My first OB didn't seem like she cared too much for what was going on with me.  I have a HUGE family history of preterm labor (like my mom, grandma, and all my maternal aunts all have very early babies).  When I told her that she said, "oh, well I don't think you'll have a problem." 

As you can see with my ticker, I definetly had problems with PTL and without my new OB watching me so closely I probably would have lost our son.  He ordered lots of monitoring of my cervix and we caught it shortening before something drastic happening at 20 weeks.  He also put me on meds and bedrest which I fully credit in saving this pregnancy too.

Follow your gut.  I found my new OB through word of mouth and I simply called and made a new appointment with him.  I then called my old OB's office and requested my files be sent to my new office (have the fax number ready) and told them I am moving my care.  They weren't upset and promptly faxed all my info over.

Good luck!

Ramella

Hi -

I've not had a challenge with my OG or specialist. ?I'm sorry to hear about your experience. ?It does sound as if your OB doesn't quite get it or isn't very careful even with what you have been experiencing.

I'm not sure of your insurance situation, but I'd suggest that if you decide to change OBs that you do so quickly because switching docs at a certain point in your pregnancy is sometimes impossible. ?(I think that is at 24 thru 27 weeks is too late to switch groups, docs, etc.) ?I tried to change groups/docs because the hospital we wanted to deliver at was not covered by our insurance due to cost - this was especially important to us when we were first given the news of IC and when we thought we wouldn't make it past 25 weeks - that hospital was a level III NICU. ? ?

Listen to your instincts and dont allow yourself to stick to a doc that is not on the same page as you are. ?Your health is just as much your responsibility as your doc's, making it important to have a doc who has your best interest at the forefront of your pregnancy management. ?

Good Luck!?

Kadyra

You can switch ob's at any time and the insurance will cover it.  And no one's feelings will get hurt.  We get late transfers of care at my hospitals/clinics all the time for a variety of reasons from people not liking the doctor to needing a higher level of care to needing something closer to home or hospital of delivery.  Use whatever excuse you want if you are afraid of hurting feelings.  if you really feel that strongly, switch.  No one will judge you for it.

fraggs24

You really can switch at any point before you actually go into labor. My SIL changed OBs at 37 weeks after touring her hospital in NYC and saw girls delivering in converted janitors closets because they were overbooked... Had no trouble switching, and was glad she did. If you aren't comfortable, make the switch!

Ramella

Thats strange -?

I have Health Net HMO, and we tried to switch OBs and Healthcare Groups in order to be able to deliver at a particular hospital that has a higher level NICU and Health Net told us that at 26, 27 and 29 weeks, I was too far along in my pregnancy to switch over (we tried many times, and spoke to everyone who would listen) and we got the same response - can't switch OBs or healthcare groups once you reach a certain stage. ?In order to deliver at that hospital I needed to switch healthcare groups and OBs and healthcare groups would not accept a new patient that far along in their pregnancy. ?Our healthcare group's OBGYNs did not renew their contract with the desired hospital due to cost - so switching healthcare groups was necessary to switch OBs.

Is this something that is a state to state thing? ?Maybe? ?California thing?

It's weird because this hospital is still my insurance's primary hospital as per my insurance coverage for everything other than pregnancy, OB and delivery. ? For anything pregnancy related, I could not go to this hospital. ?But if I cut my finger, that is the hospital I go to. ?Ridiculous, right?

Of course, now that I'm almost 34 weeks, the concern over the level of NICU is not as huge a concern as when I was 26 weeks and thinking I would deliver. ?

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