OB's office ticked me off

sinisterkat01

I called this morning because I wanted to know the plan for my prenatal apointment in a couple of weeks.  I wanted to know if there was any chance of an ultrasound, so that I could have DH come wiht me (he missed all the appointments last time).  I knew that they may not do it right away, but I assumed I would be getting an early ultrasound at some point.

With a voice just dripping with disdain, she tells me that I will not have an ultrasound until I am 18 weeks.  I know this is the protocol for uncomplicated pregnancies, sometimes, but I was ticked.  I just blurted out, "You've got to be kidding me.  What if I have an ectopic, or a molar, etc?"

Her response was, "Then you would be in severe pain."

Really?  Because I would want to catch something like that when it was too late to do anything, and I was in severe pain.  Then when I reminded her of my history of m/c, she said that they might do an early one.  But certainly not on the same day as my appointment.

I really wanted to yell at that b!tch, but I stopped myself.  Which has not done anything for my mood.  If I or my staff talked to our clients with that tone, then someone would be out of a job.  Come on medical profession . . . please stop hiring these bitter b!tchy gatekeeper receptionists.  Please.

How many of you got any type of an early ultrasound?  With my history, I just really don't want to wait until the big ultrasound.  What am I?  Some fertile 16 year old with no problems?

hopingwaiting

My Ob's office does ultrasounds around 8 weeks for uncomplicated patients.  Now that I'm a complicated patient (haha) I got one at 6 1/2 weeks. 

I'm sorry you were spoken to like that.  I hate hate hate b!tchy gatekeeper receptionists.  There's just no need.

sinisterkat01

hopingwaiting:

My Ob's office does ultrasounds around 8 weeks for uncomplicated patients. 

See, I knew it wasn't a crazy idea.  I guess I should just calm down and talk to my doctor about it when I go for my appointment.  I will be earlier than 8 weeks still at that time.

dreamlifter145

i feel like people who work with pregnant ladies just get used to the whole thing too much and don't realize how excited we can get. 18 weeks is ridiculous. it takes forever to get pregnant for some of us and to make us wait that much longer can really piss us off. i totally get you.

MAtoMN

18-20 week is when my OB does them for patients with no history of complications, but they gave me one at 7 week because of my previous miscarriage.  That is crazy to make you wait!

ReiszsPieces

I had one at 6 wks, 8 wks, and 12 wks so far.  It's not that crazy at my OB office.  They're really good.  Plus, you never actually have to talk to a receptionist.  You can select the extension of the Phone Nurse and leave your question/concern with your name and phone number and they will call you back, usually w/in an hour.  It is really one of the huge benefits of being at a larger practice with multiple OBs, DOs, midwifes, RN, etc.  I love it there.

nicobean1

By the time I was 12 weeks, I'd had 5 or 6 already. It's terribly unprofessional for her to speak with you that way, regardless of your medical history, but particularly to someone who's had a previous loss. I would bring it up to the doctor at your appointment, and I'm sorry you're having to deal with bad behavior. FYI - I dumped two OBs b/c of their office staff. The doctors really need to know - this is still a business for them and unhappy patients have big mouths, y'know?

SCSmithbride

My midwives did 2 standard 1 early and the big one.  Without knowing of my most recent loss my current OB did one at 7 wks I was put into the u/s room before saying anything.

erinkate23

I have a history of ectopic pregnancy, so I got one at 5w and another at 7.  Plus, my midwife ROCKS, so she did one at every appointment until we could pick up a HB on the doppler, just because it made me feel better.

I wouldn't tolerate that kind of treatment, personally.  You are a *customer* of that OB's office.  If this is the way your experience is starting, I would look around now for alternative practices.  Can you imagine dealing with that woman every time you have a question?  Ick.

I HIGHLY recommend looking into a midwife, if there is one in your area.  I can't possibly rave enough about the level of care and compassion I have received from her.  (yes, they deliver at hospitals, epidurals are cool, they'll work with higher risk patients, and they don't wear grass skirts!)

https://www.midwife.org/

 

amberdaz

I had my 1st u/s @ 7 weeks and will get another @ 9 weeks. I hate when they give the standard programmed response w/o actually looking at your record or listening to what you have to say. GL!

mamaholic

O . M . G .  I don't know how you restrained yourself. I would have yelled at her. I believe in the rule that it is not only what you say but how you say it. Even if that is their absurd policy she could have been at least polite!

My OB's office does one at 8w for almost all pregnancies to check for viability as far as I can tell. I had one at something like 7w because I had spotting. Normally they wouldn't do another until 20w, but I had one done at 10w also. I won't have another until 20w, but I hear the HB on doppler every time.

I am sorry your office is not nice. Shame on them.

KateAndMark

You might want to look into switching Dr's.

I had an u/s at 5W, 6W, 8W, 12W, 17W (elective), 19W, 24W, 28W (elective)