WWYD re: switching OBs

august8080

Let the PWing begin.......

So I used Dr. Nash as my OB/GYN before, during, after my pg with DS. Love, love, love her completely (see below post). 

In August we moved to GT and I had a pre-conception appt with a dr. in RR who was rec'd to me by my hypnobirthing instructor who had been a doula at a birth for one of his patients. I took my questions, my birth plan with DS and he was cool with it all and I liked him, so I switched. 

At the time, it was a really tough decision to make. I LOVE Dr. Nash, but it's a 70 mile round trip to her office/the hospital from our house. I didn't feel like that was a wise choice with a toddler in tow and when the time came to deliver, I wanted to be closer to our house, closer to DS (who will stay at our house with my mom). I will have to take DS to 80-90% of my appts because we don't have family here to babysit him.

Since I got pregnant, I still like new Dr. The office staff have done a few minor irritating things--like his nurse (I assume she's a nurse, I don't know) called me after my 6 week appt and said I had GBS in my urine sample and they were calling me in a rx for penicillin. When I asked why that was relevant (I thought GBS only mattered before delivery), her only answer was that it could cause pre-term labor......um, I'm 6.5 weeks....pre-term labor?! A minor thing to get irritated about, I know, but I'm the kind of person who wants to be completely informed before I take medicine, especially while pregnant and she really wasn't able to answer my questions.  By contrast, Dr. Nash's nurse was always awesome with information.

At my 9 week u/s when we found out it was twins, he definitely congratulated us, but I felt like (in my emotional and shocked state) the tone of the appt was kind of gloom and doom. Lots of quoting statistics about my increased risk for practically everything. I just felt like Dr. Nash would have hugged me, been super excited and conveyed anything scary in a really great way.

I guess the gist of it is that I can't stop comparing my current OB to Dr. Nash and he's falling short, in my mind. Additionally, I think I'm just feeling like my world's been rocked and I want the security of what is familiar and people that I trust beyond a shadow of a doubt. 

The distance remains a big issue (really, the only issue) though and more frequent appts are a definite possibility, especially as I get later in pregnancy.

I thought about making this a poll, but I'd really love to hear thoughts and ideas from people who are functioning with a rational brain, because I'm definitely not! Thank you for reading this super long post and thanks in advance for thoughts and feedback!

userdeleted

I think that it's worth a drive to see an OB that you really love and feel totally comfortable with. Especially with a pregnancy that may be higher risk.

Congrats on the exciting news btw! 

ec3under4

Personally, I have had high risk pregnancies with a toddler in tow and it is no easy feat. I switches after my first mainly because I wanted to be closer to home. I would try to look for other drs in the area. You have plenty of time to shop around and just because you found one who you don't really mesh with doesn't mean you won't find one. I would try three more and see what you think. There are so many great drs up north and it's just a matter of finding one who works with you! If You need some recs, feel free to ask!

mlf625

Go back to your old doctor that you love.  It's worth it, 100%.  Seeing Dr. Seeker was a huge PITA for me, logistically, especially during my 2nd pregnancy when I had a toddler to arrange care for or take along.  We lived about as far south as you could get and he was way up at NAMC.  But never once did I even think about switching to someone closer to my house - it's worth a drive to see an OB you truly love, imo!

Mrs.Purdue

I'd try one more "up-north" OB and see if anything is better, and if not, then I'd switch back to the one you love.  a LOT of nesties love RWG (myself included) and that would be a much easier drive for you, although still in North Austin and not Round Rock or GT). 

Mrs.Froggianna

It's 68 miles round trip from my house to my OB in south Austin and it is worth every second I sit in bumper to bumper traffic on MoPac.  I try to schedule my appointments during Luke's MDO, but if I have to take him so be it.  I adore my dr and wouldn't trade a closer commute for the familiarity and comfort she provides.  Plus, I loooooooove the hospital where I'll deliver and it's worth the 60+ mile round trip.

atlantic

In general, I'd go with the dr you're most comfortable with. But... another thing to consider is that twins are often born early and may have to spend time in the NICU.  If you're discharged and they're still in the hospital you'll want to be able to visit them as easily as possible.  I also considered how good the NICU's were at the different hospitals before choosing my dr. who delivered there.