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Austin Babies
WWYD re: OBGYN
Sorry, this is loooooong.
Since we are beginning TTC this month, I need to figure out what I want to do about my OBGYN.
With DD, I went to Hill Country and saw Dr. H. She was pg at the time and missed several months of my pregnancy due to her maternity leave, during which time I saw Dr. L. When Dr. H came back, I felt like she was somewhat rude and unattentive. Dr. L ended up delivering DD b/c she was the on-call doctor that evening. She was great. Dr. H came to visit me the next morning and I remarked about how exhausted I was and she said "wait until 6 mos. has gone by and you STILL haven't slept much". Rude.
Not to mention, that my delivery experience at Seton SW was not good either. That was mostly due to the fact that I was having a baby on my birthday, and even though I was 4 days past due, was being constantly questioned about what I did to cause her to come on that day (ummm?? WTF? I had sex approximately 9 months ago and now I am in labor) followed by every.single.nurse making some sarcastic comment like "oh you're the one who wants a baby on her birthday" or something equally annoying.
Ok, so if you are still with me after all that, wwyd? Would you find a new OB (I kinda have my eye on Dr. Seeker after all the positive comments here about him but he is kinda out of the way for me)? Drop Dr. H and join with Dr. L since the office and hospital are so convenient for me and know that it is highly unlikely that I will be having a baby on my b-day again so hopefully the hospital would treat me better this time? I'm torn.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: WWYD re: OBGYN
Photo by Melissa Glynn
Ditto.
And I know that there are tons of girls here that love them some Seeker but there are plenty of other amazing doctors in Austin. I'm not discounting what Seeker has done for plenty of people but just because lots of people like him doesn't mean that he's absolutely the best fit for you. Find a doctor that you are comfortable with in the area that you are comfortable with (are you okay with driving up to NAMC for every.single appointment?). If you're really gung-ho it might be worth it to give Seeker a visit, but if it were me I would probably try and find a doc a little closer to home.
This. It's not a big deal to drive all over town for doctor appointments for your first child but remember with a second pregnancy, you may need to find a babysitter for your kiddo during your doctor appointments, and a long drive to the doc/hospital and back means more time the sitter is needed and more $$ you'll end up spending.
IDK how long your first labor was, but second babies tend to come much faster, and it would SUCK to be in labor and stuck in rush hour traffic if you live far south and you're trying to get to NAMC.
Meredith, 6-1-06 and Alex, 11-5-09
I love Dr. L and I drive a long way to see her for my appointments (its 30 minutes from the time I leave my desk at work). I had an experience with an ob once that was really traumatizing, so I'm willing to drive for a doctor I like/trust. I had a good experience at SSW (even though I had a terrible birth) and after reading the NAMC post I think its definitely one of those things that can go either way at any hospital. There is no way I'd have the patience to sit around at Seeker's office all the time, but some people think its totally worth it. I know there are other women on the board who see south doctors outside of Hill Country/SSW, so that might be worth checking out if you don't want to make the drive.
I agree. I think Seeker gets hyped up on this board a lot. I am a Seeker patient and I do like him, but if it's going to be inconvenient for you to get there, it might be worth investigating a doctor closer to home. Good luck with whatever decision you make!!
I had this experience. I was in labor for 15 hours with my first baby. I almost had my second baby in the car on the way to the hospital!
Another ditto here. I didn't have the best hospital experience either--it was just OK. But, it would take a lot more than rude remarks to get me to find another doctor just so I could use a different hospital the second time around. I feel that my OB relationship is more important than the hospital at where she delivers, especially since the first experience really wasn't terrible. Now, if something drastic and terrible had happened with my DD, then I might consider it. If it was something like you were describing, I'd be willing to give that hospital another try just so I could stay with an OB I already know and like.
To piggy back on this a little more, with a second baby, you will also have to take your first child somewhere to stay during the birth, so that adds time. Alex came so fast that if we'd had to get dressed, wake Meredith, take her somewhere and then go to NAMC (I was with Seeker before I decided on a homebirth), I could have had a car baby too.
Meredith, 6-1-06 and Alex, 11-5-09
(read it. you know you want to.)
anderson . september 2008
vivian . february 2010
mabel . august 2012
don't get me wrong, I'm definitely on the dr. S train - BUT, I think that office is awesome if you are having TTTC since they are very proactive, but I don't think pertains to you since you had a HM baby
. I don't know that I'd want to make the trek if it was super far, but it was worth the 30-40 min for me because NAMC also seems like a great hospital. there are other "perks" like having an anatomy scan at 16 weeks vs. the standard 20, but if you don't have a preference about that stuff, no biggie.
I only met with the man 3 times (maybe 4?) and while I think he has an amazing bedside manner, I love love love his nurses. I am sad that I don't go there anymore and he won't be delivering my baby, but it is what it is. there are little things about the new office where I go now that irritate me but I'm not in a position to be picky at this point.
you could always try a doc and switch if you're not happy, right?
So this brings me to another question. Would it be in super poor taste for me to make the switch to Dr. S. to meet him, check out the office, see how bad the drive really is and have him do my looong overdue annual/talk about TTC only to realize it's too much of an inconvenience and switch back to HC and switch to Dr. L? Too much....right?
Ugh, why am I doing this to myself? Just pick a damn doc already, right?
I don't think it would be in poor taste, but kind of a hassle if it involves transferring medical records. If I were you, I might first switch to Dr. L since it's the same practice, go to your annual, discuss any concerns you had from your previous pregnancy and if it still doesn't seem right, then switch to Dr. S. Just remember you're never trapped - you can always change doctors if you're not happy.
Great advice, I think I am going to do this. Thanks!
keep us posted! I feel a little invested in this now! LOL
I think this is a great idea as well. FWIW, I had to request my records from AAOBGYN and it was easy-peasy. they had them ready in a few days, I picked them up and done. didn't charge me or anything (I know some doctor's offices charge).
i don't have advice, but just wanted to say that is bizarre! my #2 came on my birthday too...he came 13 days past his due date and came on my birthday, couldn't help it either
i didn't get any weird sarcastic comments though. just more like, wow what a great birthday present! hope you find a dr/situation that works best for you! 
I agree. Also, scheduling an annual with Dr. S might put you in July before you can get an appointment. I always got the pg appointments when I needed them but just plain ole annual exams get scheduled out pretty far.