Switching Dr's within a practice?

MLE_C2B

My OB is part of a large practice ~7 dr's and when I went in for my 12 wk they asked me to choose one. I just went with the dr who does my yearly's (for about 3 years now). Since then I've had LOTS of visits due to complications. They treat their pregnant patients at a different office, attached to the hospital, and I've been rotating through the other dr's. I noticed my dr is NEVER at the new office and on their website her specialty is treating women going through menopause. Ummmm ignorant on my part for not doing more research but frankly it was a stressful time and I hadn't had much opportunity to check. Anyway now I'm worried she doesn't deliver babies very often, i feel like I hardly know her, and have a better relationship with one of the dr's who actually works in the OB office. I know there's a chance it won't even be her on the day-of, thats why they rotate you through the other dr's, but part of me wants to change dr's anyway. I can't decide what to do at my next appt. Is it rude to pick the other Dr's or nurse's brains about this dr, ask why she's never at the OB office? I know she's an "OB-GYN" so she has had training in delivery but I don't want to be her "keep in practice" patient. Am I being irrational? What would you do? I don't get why they make you choose a dr at 12 weeks and THEN rotate you through the other ones. Not exactly an informed decision.

Lizzama

i wouldn't see why you couldn't ask the nurse her opinion & switch docs.  i was asked if i wanted a different doc than mine (since he's fairly new to the whole doctor thing) but i know he's got all the other docs to back him up.  it's about you being comfortable.

dstar

That is kind of odd.  I had a choice to go to a place like yours or the one dr. I ended up going with.  I don't think I would have been made to pick a dr. at the group practice.  They basically said I would see everyone.  Maybe it is for insurance reasons??

I don't think it would be bad to change dr. but then again you don't see your current one anyway, so what difference does it make if you change or not. 

jmlushbough

If you're not happy, switch. You need to do what's best for you -- make the decision that will make you the most comfortable.

I'm 22 weeks pregnant, and I made my next appointment with a different doctor. Similar reasons -- I'm sure my first doctor is very capable and has delivered her share of babies, but I just didn't feel connected to her. I don't think my husband quite understands it, but I just didn't feel like she cared about us as individuals. 

I say go ahead and make the switch if you think that will make you feel better. :-)

MLE_C2B

I guess I don't know "why" I had to choose if i'm going to see everybody anyway. Maybe so they know who to page when the time comes? Perhalps later in the pregnancy i quit getting "rotated" and start seeing one dr primarily???? I suppose it's not horrible to have 7 dr's looking at your chart, especially when I was having problems.

Tulip370

I agree, you should switch if you are not comfortable.  I have been at two different OB offices, the second one I love.  Both offices had a policy that I had to rotate through all of the doctors in the practice and this is because they cannot guarantee my chosen OB will be the one to deliver my child.  I understand they work on a rotation schedule and I don't blame them.  It's just nice they let me know in advance so I get a chance to meet all of the doctors before the delivery.  I will say the bulk of the visits I have had so far have been with my chosen doctor, one with a different Dr and one with a NP.

sturgeje

dstar:

I don't think I would have been made to pick a dr. at the group practice.  They basically said I would see everyone.  

mine is the same as this.  there are 8 doctors in the practice and i'm able to schedule appointments with any of them or choose just one if i wish.  i'm scheduling with whoever is available on the days i need to have my appointments to get to know them all, but will probably pick one later on in my pregnancy.  i figure at least this way, i'll be comfortable with all of them in case my doctor isn't on call on delivery day! 

mrsmcphail

I changed Drs with my DD because my Dr started teaching a class at the med school and her new office hours sucked.  And neither of the docs that I had been to delivered me, it was a resident and an attending stopped in a couple of times.  Don't feel bad. 

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MrsDeHav

at my practice i was told that i had to see all doctors at one point during my pregnancy since they rotate who's "on call" to deliver.  I wasn't comfortable seeing 12 doctors during my pregnancy.  I decided to switch to the practice's CNMs starting with my 16w appt tomorrow.  I dont see anything wrong with switching if you'll be more comfortable.