disappointing OB appt

mamabear2010

Yesterday I had my monthly OB appointment and it was disappointing to say the least. I arrived at the office at 4:30PM and the doctor and nurses seemed to be waiting for me. I was rushed in by the nurse and did the usual-- urine sample, blood pressure, weight, and checking baby's heart rate. As soon as the nurse left, the doctor came in (which is unusual, I usually wait 10 mins in between). She opened my file, skimmed through it, asked me if everything was ok, and physically checked my bump.  I literally felt like she wanted to bolt out of the room. I have had a relatively easy pregnancy and don't usually have questions, but this time I did. I barely blurted them out and she gave me quick answers which I can barely remember...all I remember is me listening to her but noticing her body language which was screaming "i want to go home!". The whole interaction did not exceed 4 minutes. I was beyond frustrated when I left. As I was coming into their office, I received a call from them and a voicemail which I didn't catch. I listened to it as I left and the receptionist was asking if I'm coming in since "your appointment was at 4:15PM". It may have been my mistake, although I record my appts as soon as I leave in my blackberry. Even if that was the case, and I had unintentionally delayed the OB 15 mins, her reaction was completely unnecessary. 
I'm going to an office where I have to rotate between 3 OBs because any of them could deliver me and they want me to get to know them all. That is frustrating in and of itself, but I didn't have time to "shop around" for another OB office so I stuck with them because I knew them. 
Is it normal for OBs to just ask if anything is wrong and rarely contribute anything during these appointments? For example, she was supposed to tell me not to sleep on my back anymore, but she didn't, I'm the one who raised the question. It's frustrating enough that I have to go to another location to get an ultrasound and then to have these lame OB appointments just bothers me! That's why I haven't really pushed for my DH to come along, he would be so disappointed (except for hearing LO's heartbeat). 
Sorry for the long post, just had to vent, and wanted to know if anyone else has had a similar experience. 

CrunchOoEezyMama

In my experience most appt's with OBs are very quick like that.  I originally went to a practice fo 6, and of those 6, 1 of them took a little more time with you.  

If you are looking for a more personal approach and to be able to spend some time with your care provider asking questions, etc, I'd highly, highly rec switching to a midwife!  I'm so happy now that I'm seeing the midwife practice  

Soon_2B_MrsM

Hey my office is kinda similar, there are 3 OB's and I have to get to know them all...they also are very busy but I make them take their time with me regardless!

ASmallWonder

This sounds like a combination of a normal appointment and a rushed doctor.  My visits are always fast but don't feel rushed, per se.  To be honest, she wasn't "supposed" to tell you not to sleep on your back.  It's not ideal but it's not forbidden so it's not like she was putting you in danger by not mentioning it.  Some doctors are more lax on certain things - mine has never mentioned the back thing, doesn't make me count kicks etc.  These things aren't mandatory.  Overall, OB appointments ARE lame haha

Soon_2B_MrsM

elmoali:

This sounds like a combination of a normal appointment and a rushed doctor.  My visits are always fast but don't feel rushed, per se.  To be honest, she wasn't "supposed" to tell you not to sleep on your back.  It's not ideal but it's not forbidden so it's not like she was putting you in danger by not mentioning it.  Some doctors are more lax on certain things - mine has never mentioned the back thing, doesn't make me count kicks etc.  These things aren't mandatory.  Overall, OB appointments ARE lame haha

 

Aren't supposed to be in the 3rd trimester board now??? U like us 2nd trimester gals better don't you? LOL 

mrsjengle

That sucks. I experienced the same things for a couple of my appointments. I have to drive 1/2hr to 1hr to get to my OB, so when I'm only there for 15 mins., I get frustrated. But it's better than the times when I have to wait an hour in the office for them to see me!

ASmallWonder

Soon_2B_MrsM:

elmoali:

This sounds like a combination of a normal appointment and a rushed doctor.  My visits are always fast but don't feel rushed, per se.  To be honest, she wasn't "supposed" to tell you not to sleep on your back.  It's not ideal but it's not forbidden so it's not like she was putting you in danger by not mentioning it.  Some doctors are more lax on certain things - mine has never mentioned the back thing, doesn't make me count kicks etc.  These things aren't mandatory.  Overall, OB appointments ARE lame haha

 

Aren't supposed to be in the 3rd trimester board now??? U like us 2nd trimester gals better don't you? LOL 

I have restless board syndrome so I wander around   I try not to be a PITA though because I know how annoying that is :-p

KellyG6279

All of my appointments are usually brief.  The dr measures belly, checks heart rate on doppler and asks how I'm doing and if I have any questions.  However, they shouldn't disregard any concerns/questions you have - but I do know what it's like to have patients running late (they thought you were/you didn't - who knows).  

The dr usually doesn't have a check list of everything to tell you  not to do (like sleeping on your back - that's is usually an instinctual thing as your uterus enlarges and it is uncomfortable to sleep in that position) but just look on the bright side and be thankful that you are not high risk or having any complications:) 

NewzieMom

My appts consist of...urine sample, weight, temp, blood pressure, listen to the baby ask if I have any question and then I will see you in 4 weeks.  

So I would say that is about normal.

BeckyTheEngineer

My normal OB sent me to a high-risk specialist, and that appt was awful.  It was over an hour drive, and then it took me an hour to find the right clinic (but I was just on time because I left crazy early).  I waited over an hour until a tech told me they were ready to do my ultrasound, and I had to tell them that's not what I was there for.  There was a mix-up, so I had to go back to the waiting room for another 20 minutes, only to get about 4 minutes of talking to a doctor.  I had a million questions, but he said I'm fine, just take aspirin.  WTF?? Some OBs are way better than others.  I would lose my mind if that was my regular doc.

Stephanie2167

MY OBs office always asks me to be 15 minutes early to my appointments and I never have to wait. When I come out of the bathroom they always weigh me right away and take me straight to the room.

My doctor usually asks if I have any questions, goes over any results from previous tests, measure's my belly, listens to the heartbeat and that is all.

EDIT: They also give me a paper that has all my upcoming appointments on them with the doctors name and circled is what type of appt. and how long it will take. They've all been "15 minutes" and I get a call the night before reminding me.

sarasek

Sounds like a normal OB appt, although I would be annoyed too if I had questions for my OB and they barely answered them. So far my OB has been great although DH and I generally wait close to 15-20 minutes to see him after the nurse has done everything else.

 

slc2b

I think it sounds pretty normal.  All of my appointments have been very quick, less than 15 minutes but I have never felt like my ob doesn't want to answer my questions or isn't looking out for me and my baby's health.  Doctors are busy people, and they do have lives also.  Who knows, maybe she had an appointment of her own she needed to get to and you were already 15 minutes late so she had to rush.  I really wouldn't worry about it.

Pumpkin&Roo

My OB office is just like your description.  They just do the standard procedures and ask if you have any questions.  They don't issue instructions.

mamabear2010

Thanks for the feedback ladies! I'm glad that my experience isn't totally abnormal and I'm probably overreacting a bit. I guess the exciting stuff will come later on