Kaiser prenatal care question

MommySteph2009

With DS, I had another insurnace carrier and unusual circumstances (with my mom passing away and in the hospital.)

I have Kaiser now.  I am 29 weeks pregnant, I saw my OB at 28 weeks and am not seen again (by a NP) until I am 32 weeks then my next appointment is at 35 weeks.

I thought I would be seen every 2 weeks starting earlier than 35 weeks, is this typical for Kaiser?  Also, is it typical to see a NP more than your OB?  I've only seen my OB twice in the last 29 weeks, and I only have 1 more appoitnment scheduled with her, I am not scheduled out to the end as of yet.

I had DS at 38 weeks (induced because he was big) and I am measuring 2 weeks ahead now. 

Just curious if this is normal practice at Kaiser.

Lesley423

I think that's fairly normal.  I didn't start going every two weeks until I was 35 weeks.  Although my OB was always open to my coming in more often if I wanted to.  Also, I would schedule my appointments with whomever I wanted.  Sometimes it was the NP, other times I preferred to see my OB so I would schedule the appointments with him.  I never had any trouble doing that.

bubbs147

That's how it was for me with both girls.  I saw a NP throughout both pregnancies (only saw an OB during the m/c.)  I delivered with a nurse midwife with both girls too, no OB involved.  That is normal for Kaiser.

My.ABC.Life

Sounds "normal" to me.  I think Kaiser has a normal "schedule" they follow... appts every X number of weeks, MWs/NP for reg. appts.  However, they are VERY good at accomidating you if you make "extra" requests.  Like, if you want to see your OB or if you want another appt. in between their schedule.  So if you're feeling uncomfortable - just ask!

OoSparkly

I only saw an NP one time at about 38/39 weeks because my OB was on vacation. It probably depends on your OB's schedule.

I have been going in about every 6 weeks up until about 34/35 weeks and have gone in every 2 weeks since. I think that's pretty standard until you get to 38-40 weeks. Now that I'm past due, I'm sure they'll want to see me more often, but was told I was very low risk and have a family history of very late babies. They gave me the option to go in last week, but I already had an appointment scheduled this week and decided to stick with every 2 weeks.

StefandTodd

I see my OB and my MW each every other time (saw/will see my OB for 8, 16, 24, saw/will see my MW for 12, 20, 28) - I had a choice between having an OB and a MW or an OB and a NP and choice MW.  They asked me after my first two appts (so, I had met them both) who/what I preferred and I told them my first choice would be MW, but I'd happily meet with my OB also.  I think my "every other" schedule has just worked out this way by coincidence.  I'd happily have seen my MW for most, if not all, of my appts. 

vanessa11411

I've only had a couple of appointments but the first one was with my OB and the second one was with a Midwife because my OB was not available. My next appointment that I have is June 15th with my OB. I don't have any appointments in May which I thought odd but also glad so I don't have to miss so much work.

danandkelly

That seems correct in my experience.

I asked my OB about it when I was pg and he said there is no clinical reason to be seen more than at 28, 32, 36, 38 and 40 weeks.  They no longer do weekly appts until you are 40 weeks...unless you need to be seen for another reason.  I was seen at 38, 39, 40 and then scheduled for induction at 41, but didn't make it.

 

MommySteph2009

Thanks ladies.  I will check with the NP when I see her on 5/20, if I am still measuring ahead.  I  will request to be seen more often if I am 2 weeks ahead.

I was not offered the option for a MW : (  bummer

m&m818

That sounds pretty normal for non-high-risk pregnancies. Even as high-risk, I was only seen every two weeks until 32 then I was seen every week til the end.

And they never scheduled "to the end" appts for me. We just scheduled the next one as it came up.

StefandTodd

MommySteph2009:

I was not offered the option for a MW : (  bummer

Aw, I didn't even think about that not all of the Kaiser offices have MW option.  If you're delivering at Kaiser Roseville though, I believe even if you haven't seen MW's through your pregnancy, you can still request their care for your L&D (which shouldn't make too much of a difference even if you haven't met them all since your own OB will very likely not be there for L&D...just one of those things with Kaiser).  I can only attest to the awesomeness of my one MW, but I've heard good things about many of them.  Maybe something you can find out more about for your hospital tour too?

roxyttandme

I obviously didn't get that long in my pg - but I have to say... Kaiser was AMAZING! I will be Kaiser patient for life! I love them!!!

MommySteph2009

StefandTodd:

MommySteph2009:

I was not offered the option for a MW : (  bummer

Aw, I didn't even think about that not all of the Kaiser offices have MW option.  If you're delivering at Kaiser Roseville though, I believe even if you haven't seen MW's through your pregnancy, you can still request their care for your L&D (which shouldn't make too much of a difference even if you haven't met them all since your own OB will very likely not be there for L&D...just one of those things with Kaiser).  I can only attest to the awesomeness of my one MW, but I've heard good things about many of them.  Maybe something you can find out more about for your hospital tour too?

They have them at Kaiser Roseville.  I'll ask next week when I go in for the hospital tour (5/4!!)

My.ABC.Life

StefandTodd:

Aw, I didn't even think about that not all of the Kaiser offices have MW option.  If you're delivering at Kaiser Roseville though, I believe even if you haven't seen MW's through your pregnancy, you can still request their care for your L&D (which shouldn't make too much of a difference even if you haven't met them all since your own OB will very likely not be there for L&D...just one of those things with Kaiser).  I can only attest to the awesomeness of my one MW, but I've heard good things about many of them.  Maybe something you can find out more about for your hospital tour too?

My understanding is that all/most Kaiser babies are delivered via MW, unless the patient requests an OB (and the OB is available) or in a high risk situation. 

danandkelly

My.ABC.Life:

StefandTodd:

Aw, I didn't even think about that not all of the Kaiser offices have MW option.  If you're delivering at Kaiser Roseville though, I believe even if you haven't seen MW's through your pregnancy, you can still request their care for your L&D (which shouldn't make too much of a difference even if you haven't met them all since your own OB will very likely not be there for L&D...just one of those things with Kaiser).  I can only attest to the awesomeness of my one MW, but I've heard good things about many of them.  Maybe something you can find out more about for your hospital tour too?

My understanding is that all/most Kaiser babies are delivered via MW, unless the patient requests an OB (and the OB is available) or in a high risk situation. 

Ditto this, I believe the stat is like 87% of uncomplicated vaginal deliveries at kaiser are done by a MW.

You can request an OB, if one is available, but there is typically one on call and they are usually reserved for complicated births or csections.

As for seeing a MW at your weekly (or monthly) appts, you can request that at most kaisers....just as you can request an MD rather than a NP.  But again you can't guarentee that they'll be the one to deliver as it's an on call situation.

SFAug07

Sounds normal to me. I think Kaiser sees you less than some others but it worked well for me, I was glad I didn't need to go so often. If there is cause for concern, they'll schedule you more often.

skirby

StefandTodd:

I see my OB and my MW each every other time (saw/will see my OB for 8, 16, 24, saw/will see my MW for 12, 20, 28) - I had a choice between having an OB and a MW or an OB and a NP and choice MW.  They asked me after my first two appts (so, I had met them both) who/what I preferred and I told them my first choice would be MW, but I'd happily meet with my OB also.  I think my "every other" schedule has just worked out this way by coincidence.  I'd happily have seen my MW for most, if not all, of my appts. 

This is basically what we are doing. I like seeing our MW more, but she is not available all the time when our schedule can get us in.

I've been happy with the amount of times we've been getting appointments. Maybe if I were high-risk I would feel differently, but then again I think we would get in more if that were the case. I also have loved the ultrasounds through Kaiser. We had our first internal ultrasound at 6 weeks - which I think it usually unheard of. Kaiser has been great!