your ob-gyn

bosoxgrl

Today I went for my 16 week appt and to my surprise, I again did not see my ob-gyn. This was my third appt and I have yet to meet the person that is supposed to deliver my baby. Is this normal? What would you ladies do?

vegandy

Who are you seeing...just nurses?  I see my midwife every appointment and she spends tons of time with me as well.  I would switch doctors while it's still early on.  I saw an OB for the first 3 appointments and it was a horrible experience, he only came in toward the end and it was very rushed....I don't regret my decision to change.

amiserip

No, I don't think it's normal, but this is my 1st baby.  I see my ob-gyn every time and I bombard her with questions/concerns every time!  Who is doing your exams??  A nurse practitioner?  My gyn was actually a nurse practitioner, but I moved so I never knew if she would also stay on once I got pregnant.  I really liked her though, but if you were expecting to stick with the same person all the way through, you should ask about it and maybe switch offices.

seells

I see my OB every single time. The nurse does my weight, bp and then the Dr comes in, finds the heartbeat and talks with us.

anabell0920

I went to a new practice when I got pregnant (had just moved) I only met with the nurse practitioner until my 20 week apt or so? Now every time I see either one of my OB's. If it makes you uncomfortable ask the person that schedules the appointments if you can see the doctor or ask the person you have been seeing when you will see your doctor.

Wilwarin

No, that is not normal.  Do you like the practitioner that you are seeing?  If it is a midwife and you like them, I would stick with them. 

anvloveskme

I am seeing a midwife FNP, and will see her every time I go to the office, but she has said she will almost certainly not deliver my baby.  I guess they generally have 2-3 OB's on call at the hospital doing 24 hour rotations and one midwife doing an 8 hour shift and I just get whomever is available...sucks, but that is what they do and what my insurance covers (

carebearbush

I've seen my doctor every single time. A nurse does the weight, BP and urine, but then the doctor comes in and does a heartbeat listen and talks about everything for the past and next month. I would at least ask when your going to meet the doctor, I would so not be ok with that.

aurore22j

I see my OB every visit too.  The nurse weighs me, gets BP, and LO's heartbeat.  Then one of my 2 Drs comes in and feels around on my belly and asks if I have any questions and then asks me some questions and we talk about the next visit. 

Dec31stBride

My ob-gyn practice has me rotate so I see everyone in the practice. For some appointments, I specifically asked to schedule with my dr.

None of the drs from my ob-gyn practice were on call when I went into labor with DS - the dr who delivered was a total stranger. He was awesome, though.

My point is, try to see your dr, but depending on where you live, accept the he or she may not be the one to ultimately deliver your baby. 

Damnliz

I've seen a mixture of my OB (which I had never met before and I've been going there for 8 years) and the NP. Both are great and even though the NP isnt delivering my baby, she is great and maybe it's because I've always seen her and we have more of a relationship.

bnljane1988

Hm.  One of the reasons I LOVE my OBGYN, is that I've only seen him.  The nurses know me by name without seeing my chart, he delivered my son, even though he was not the "on call" dr. that evening.....all reasons (and there are more) that we chose him and stay with him.

jess60

I rotate between the NP & OB every other appt.

PenelopelePhew

Every other appointment is w/ the OB versus the NP.  I love them both.  I have had to switch to the NP b/c OB was delivering a baby (totally understand that!)  Once I get closers to delivering more of the appointments will be w/ the OB.  They are both sweet, thorough and never rushed.  The NP does not attend deliveries.

sldigenova

I always see my OB, but I'm having a scheduled c-section.  I think if I wasn't I would be rotating through the OB's at the practice seeing as when you go into labor you get whoever is on call.

mysticporter

I'd also wonder who it is you are seeing.  I do know several people who have gone to larger practices and see midwives, although there are OB's on staff that are assigned to patients if something comes up or is of concern.

That said, you may want to also be aware that in some practices who you see regularly has nothing to do with who will deliver your baby, particularly if your practice is the in-house practice at the hospital.  Whoever is on duty or on call is the one who delivers your baby.  That bothers some people...I'm not one of them, personally, I'd rather have whoever is rested and on duty than haul my OB out of bed unexpectedly or her to have to rush in.

I'd talk to them about their policies in general both for visits and the delivery to make sure you are comfortable.

sarasek

I saw my OB for both of my ultrasounds (10 weeks and 20 weeks) but the check up in between I only saw the nurse, which to me is normal. The OB usually comes in at the end for questions, but MY OB was out on vacation and the OB that was supposed to come in had to leave for a delivery. I don't mind not seeing him every time... the nurse does everything anyway, and I'd rather not wait another 20 minutes just to tell the doctor I have no questions.

I've had this OB for several years though, but I was told if I stick with him, there is a possibility another one of the OBs in the office will deliver for me. So I have made it a point to try and meet them all.

Sara

AmandaJane1

I met both doctors my first visit. They see patients every visit, unless you come on a Monday, in which case you see a midwife. I'd switch practices if I never saw the OB- that seems wrong to me. 

 

bosoxgrl

Yesterday, after my appt I did comment on how I would really like to meet my ob-gyn. The nurses were really nice about it and said that they would make sure that my dr. was there for the next appt, which would also be the "BIG" ultrasound. The nurse practioners have been great especaially the one that i saw yesterday, and I know that 9 times out of ten the ob-gyn that is chosen is generally not the one that delivers due to schedule conflicts, pending vacations etc, etc. This is one of the reasons we are hiring a doula as well, this way at least i will know someone I can trust is in the room with me.

Daisy41459

I see my OB at every visit, although she's part of a practice, so I'm guessing that soon she'll recommend I meet with the 3 other doctors and the midwife since any of the 5 of them could deliver my baby.