Frustrated with my OB

GardenGirl72

I switched practices for this baby, since I really didn't like my old doctor, and didn't want to take a chance that she would deliver our son. I do really like my new doctor, she is all the things my old one wasn't (warm, caring, listens to me, etc).

However, the one thing she is not is prompt. Every time I have seen her (once a month till 2 weeks ago) she has been late...the usual is 15-20 minutes, once it was an hour and 15 minutes, and once she (technically her nurse) canceled an appt the morning of because she was tied up a the hospital. Today was one of my 2 week appts, and after waiting 25 minutes this morning, I asked how much longer, and they said she wasn't even in the office yet!! I had to leave,  I had other appointments and obligations today! I rescheduled with a midwife next Monday, but I am really thinking that with 6 weeks to go I should start seeing someone else in the practice. I know I am not the only one...2 weeks ago when she was 30 minutes late, another of her patients in the waiting room rolled her eyes and said this doc is always late!

Ugh...I really like her but can't keep waiting for ever to see her for a routine appt.!!

 OK...ven over...

Lance&Becca

If it was because she wasn't getting to work on time I would switch. I would be understanding if she was late sometimes because of delivering a baby or something though.

TCTF

My doc's the same way. And not just 15 minutes, but at least an hour! Today was the first time that we saw her within 30 minutes of getting there. I've waited 3 hours before to be in her office for 10 minutes and then out the door! I figure I like her enough that I'll wait, since its more important to me that she delivers me, since I know her. She did tell us that she has 5 other women who are all past due, so she might be really hard to get ahold!

itkatydid@gmail.com

My OB irritates me too!! I was thinking about switching at 34 weeks when I heard she would be leaving the practice right after our LO arrives but I didn't... I WISH I WOULD HAVE.  For the past 4 weeks I have only seen a nurse practioner and not my OB because my OB decided to take all her vacation before she leaves the practice. I would advise you to switch. As I said, I wish I would have.

ShannonLK

When I had my very first appt the lady that handles the insurance told us which doctors were known for being late.  She suggested to always schedule very early appts to keep this from happening.  I've not had to wait more than about 5 minutes to be seen.

Could you get the first morning appt??  That way she doesn't have time to get behind yet!

BFab11

If she's just running late for work, that's bad.  But maybe her warm and caring nature means she spends more time with each patient and takes longer, meaning her later appointments suffer.

Himmy

I had to check if you were from Cali. My OB is the same way.I really like her but twice I have had to reschedule.After I drove 45 minutes to get there.Its too late for me to switch.Imagine if I was late all the time?? They would probably charge me.So annoying..

SaranJonathan

I always have to wait to see my doctor. But when he does get to me he always takes his time and I never feel rushed. I know he does that will all of his patients so its worth it to me.

jdouglas84

I know it's frustrating, but because she is a good doctor, you will have to understand if she has emergencies or deliveries come up.

I had to see my MW for an emergency appointment one time, and I know I was making other people wait longer for their scheduled appointments. Plus now that I'm overdue I totally understand why I had to wait longer earlier in my pregnancy, because those patients who have complications or emergencies do take up more time. 

Lariah14

GardenGirl72:

I switched practices for this baby, since I really didn't like my old doctor, and didn't want to take a chance that she would deliver our son. I do really like my new doctor, she is all the things my old one wasn't (warm, caring, listens to me, etc).

However, the one thing she is not is prompt. Every time I have seen her (once a month till 2 weeks ago) she has been late...the usual is 15-20 minutes, once it was an hour and 15 minutes, and once she (technically her nurse) canceled an appt the morning of because she was tied up a the hospital. Today was one of my 2 week appts, and after waiting 25 minutes this morning, I asked how much longer, and they said she wasn't even in the office yet!! I had to leave,  I had other appointments and obligations today! I rescheduled with a midwife next Monday, but I am really thinking that with 6 weeks to go I should start seeing someone else in the practice. I know I am not the only one...2 weeks ago when she was 30 minutes late, another of her patients in the waiting room rolled her eyes and said this doc is always late!

Ugh...I really like her but can't keep waiting for ever to see her for a routine appt.!!

 OK...ven over...

 

Why don't you make it a habit of calling about 20 minutes before your appointment to see if she's running on time? If she's not, then you can just go in later and you wont' be sitting in the waiting room as long.

GardenGirl72

Thanks for your reassuring words..probably she is late because she does care about patients....however, evenif I get the first appt of the morning, she is still late...I can't call because they wouldn't be open yet. Anyway, thanks for giving me some points to think about....

jmrussell03

First question is if she is at the hospital delivering a baby. If so, well you really can't get too mad. Although it is VERY frustrating. My OB's have a schedule with one assigned to hospital and the other 2 to the office so they don't have these issues.

Second, pick the first appt in the morning or after lunch. I always take the first after lunch and I usually get taken in early.

Talk to her. If no good explanation, may need to consider switching. When you are gonig there every week, the extra minutes really add up!

senoritaemily

If she's warm and caring with you, she probably is with other patients, too. I'm sure when you need her to spend extra time with you, or cancel someone else's appointment because you're in the hospital, she will show you the same courtesy. Unfortunately, when an OB is good and they're popular, they are often difficult to see right on time.