Lurker: Changing OB at 28 Weeks Guilt

katylady09

Hi everyone,

 I've been absolutley terrible about getting on the bump but I love to look through posts every once in a while to see what everyone is going through.

Did any of you have change OB's later in your pregnancies? I am 28 (almost 29!) weeks along and just decided to change mine this week. I'm feeling a little guilty because I actually really liked my doctor, but after researching the two hospitals in my area, I decided that the other hospital that my OB doesn't deliver at would be best for us.

 We've decided to go the natural non-medicated route after reading up and really thinking what about was best for us and our original hospital just wasn't very "natural-friendly" if you know what I mean (no walking the halls or showering, no birth balls, bars, or tubs, c-section pressure seems higher...that kind of thing). The new (to us) hospital has and encourages unmedicated methods of labor, plus they offer natural childbirth and relaxation classes, and free doula services....which I love. So....I shouldn't feel guilty, right? I guess I'm just afraid it will come back to bite me in the butt.

 I made an appointment today with a doctor who delivers at this new hospital and they asked that I get my papers released from my old OB. How do I go about doing this? Do I just call the front desk and say that I'm switching? Do I need to offer an explanation? I guess I'm just nervous because I feel so bad and have never met this new doctor before!

 TIA for your input! Sorry about the long post!

Fink

You absolutely don't have anything to feel guilty about!  You have to do what's best for you and your LO. And while you definitely don't owe the doctor an explanation, if you want to tell her/him why, then there isn't any reason not too.

I changed doctors before I got pregnant since my old doctor stopped doing obstetrics. I called the old doctor's office and the receptionist asked me to send a letter requesting copies of the records indicating where they should be sent and enclosing a check for the copies. She confirmed on the phone how many pages and I had to $1/page (I thought it was excessive but I didn't feel like arguing).

Good luck!

katylady09

Ok! Thank you so much, that really does make me feel a whole lot better. I will call tomorrow and see what I need to do. That is weird though that they charge you for the papers!

Fink

katylady09:

Ok! Thank you so much, that really does make me feel a whole lot better. I will call tomorrow and see what I need to do. That is weird though that they charge you for the papers!

I'd be surprised if your doctor doesn't charge for the copies too (they cannot give you the originals).  It is standard pretty standard for doctors to do so.

nickert2000

I switched later back to the practice that delivered my other 2 babies. I switched around the the time when you start going every 2 weeks [do not remember the week #]. But there where several factors that lead me to switch back.

There is no problem with switching, it is your choice. Feel no guilt.

MotherMonster

I switched my OB around 20 weeks. My original one and my MFM were basically signing me up for a c-section at the hospital I didn't want to deliver at. The hospital I'm going to deliver at is the same as the new hospital you will deliver at. They want to try vaginal birthing before they go the c-section route...

Don't feel guilty at all! 

rachelf04

We also changed providers around 28 weeks.  We went from a very nice, but overly "medical" midwifery practice to an all natural birth center.  My new midwife at the birth center actually had me fill out a release form that they faxed over to the old practice so I wouldn't have to do anything or be charged to get a copy of my records.  You might want to check with the new hospital to see if they have the same type of procedure they can do.  As for feeling guilty, I know exactly how you feel, and honestly,  just take on the mindset of this is YOUR birth experience and you should be allowed to CHOOSE how you want your experience to go.  If this is what makes you comfortable and happy then by all means, DO IT!  If they do try to make you feel guilty, then take on a business tone, tell them to release your records, and that you were simply uncomfortable with the direction they were taking your birth.  Good luck with all of this, and take heart, it will all be worth it when you have your baby, and you will have done what is right for you.