Would you switch ??
KKSBeans
member
Little background, everytime I call my OB with a question I hold my breath because I get treated like I am dumb and or annoying. Now granted, I do call a lot (not like daily) but I am a paranoid FTM and have a lot of questions.
Fast forward to today, I haven't felt a lot of movement for a couple of days and was ot sure of the exact point that I need to be concerned about that, so I called. Well for starters, my finger hit a wrong button and accidentally dialed the private line, to which the receptionist got crappy with me about, like I did it intentionally.
So I ask my movement question, to which the nurse told me it was normal, because the baby is still very tiny and I am early in pregnancy. (Umm she weighs probably 2 lbs and I am almost in the third trimester, I don't consider that early or tiny).
Then I bring up the gestational diabetes and working on not eating as many carbs and she tore into me. She said "I told you not to do anything until you met with the dietician. You have no idea what you are doing and it is ridiculous that you are even trying to count carbs until you learn. You need to quit worrying so much about this, it's not good for you or the baby. GD is very common now a days due to the obesity epidemic, so just take a deep breath and do nothing. Do you understand ?"
Yes this is exactly what she said. For starters, I swore she said not to try to use my monitor until I learn how, of course I was a little frazzled for those first couple days after my diagnoses. Second, my father in law is diabetic and my mother in law is an RN. Pretty sure they know how to count carbs. Lastly, obesity epidemic ?!?! Excuse me ! I was not obese PP, nor am I now. Everything I have read says it's hormonal and genetic.
This leads to me what I wanted to ask. Is this enough that you would consider switching practices this late in the game ? Switching practices means also switching to a hospital 40 mins away. Would you file a complaint ? Or am I being an overly emotional pregnant woman ? I mean I was scolded so badly, I was almost in tears before I hung up.
Thoughts ??
Re: Would you switch ??
I'd be annoyed at having been spoken to that way, but not enough so to switch practices. I mean, how often have you been calling? My initial reaction is that maybe you've gotten a reputation as a nuisance, and the nurse was short with you for that reason? You called about movement, she answered your question, and then you brought up a topic they'd already (presumably) set up a dietician appointment for you to discuss ... so I guess I can see how she might have gotten snippy?
Again, I'll give you that the nurse sounds like a bit of a B, but I'd maybe try to tone down the frequent calls and just move on.
(read it. you know you want to.)
anderson . september 2008
vivian . february 2010
mabel . august 2012
Who scolded you? Was it the Dr.? If so, yes, I would switch. We are adults here not children. I don't take that crap from anyone, even my parents. If it was the nurse I would complain. Frankly, I think I would switch either way. Ugh. Rude people.
If it is the nurse you have a problem with, file a complaint and stay put. If it is your OB you have a problem with, and you don't trust their medical opinion, switch practices.
Also, I agree with Rora, write down your questions and save your calls. There haven't been any questions I haven't found answers to either on the internet or that were important enough to not wait until my next appointment.
Kid #1 - 09/03/12
Hysteroscopy #10 - scar tissue grew back reblocking my right tube
#11 or IVF with scarring still inside?
1 lone embryo from September 2016 retreival, dx with Trisomy 16, starting fresh
I haven't called more than once a week, actually until I was diagnosed it wasn't very often at all. Maybe once a month ?
The movement concerned me moreso because of the GD and being high risk, so I thought I should call. Prior to that it had been spotting, seeing if they wanted me to come in or not, because from what I have seen on here, some docs have different procedure on this. Plus, other miscellaneous questions that I can't recall right now.
As far as the wrong number, the receptionist answered and asked me how I got that number. I looked at my phone display and told her what happened and apologized. She transferred me, end of story.
I don't know if I am considered a nuisance or not, but what I do know is I will likely not call for any questions for the remainder of my pregnancy. I have nuisance callers at work as well, however if I spoke to any of them the way I was spoken to, I would not have a job.
Just because I am dependent on prenatal care and dependent on that practice in my community, unless I go 40 mins away, does not give them the right to treat me that way. That is my opinion I guess, but it just left a really bad taste in my mouth.
Actually, that is not what I am saying at all. The receptionist's tone was rude and the nurse was a flat out B to me, it's all about tone and attitude.
I am not looking for sympathy nor am I looking for anyone to pat me on the back and make me feel better. If I want to switch, I will switch because it's my decision alone. I was looking for an opinion on whether it would be enough for others to switch or not. That's all.
Also, I have seen on here many times that people should not ask medical advice on the message boards, if you are concerned, call your doc.
I agree, OP, that you have no right to be treated that way. Even if you call daily, you have hired them to answer your questions and (at least at the doctor's offices I've dealt with) the nurse line is there to answer questions and help.
I also agree that whether or not you switch depends more on the OB than the nurse, because the nurse won't be there during labor. Make that decision based on how you feel about the OB.
Also, I don't think you should not call in if you are worried about something. From the frequency you mentioned in your second post, it doesn't sound like you could be a nuisance, and even if the nurse thinks you are, that is something she can complain about to other nurses, not take out on you. You ARE the customer, and you do deserve to be treated with some respect.
Half the time here people say, "Look on the internet" and the other half people say, "Don't trust people on the internet! Call your doctor if you are concerned." So sometimes on the internet, you just can't win
I'd be pretty pissed if I was treated that way by a nurse (or anyone), though, and perhaps you should consider mentioning it to your doctor.
Also? Who the poop can't count carbs?? Seeing a nutritionist is all fine and good, but lots and lots of people deal with GD and Diabetes and, you know, Atkins without seeing a specialist. And you should be paying attention to your diet (now, instead of waiting) if you have GD. That part was just idiotic.
Thank you and that was my thought !! Wouldn't it be best to start trying to lower my carb intake now instead of waiting 2 weeks until I see a dietician, but apparently I have no idea how to lower my carbs, until I see a dietician who can tell me that 15g of carbohydrates is one carb.
Regardless of how annoying I am viewed to be, I would rather be annoying than something happen to my daughter because I was scared to call. A lot can happen from one day to the next in pregnancy, especially a pregnancy that is now considered high risk. Preterm labor is a huge concern in gestational diabetics. So for her to tell me that my worry is ridiculous and this isn't a big deal !! My co worker's sister in law had gestational diabetes, went in to be induced her forth child with leg pain she had been complaining to this practice about for weeks. Her water broke and a blot clot shot to her heart and she died after she delivered a 12 lb baby. I know the risks of GD.
Like you said, I am paying them to answer my questions, just like people pay me to answer their's. Regardless of how annoying a client is, I can not speak to them like that, period. I may roll my eyes on the phone, but would never let on to my annoyance.
It's true. I'm driving 40 minutes by choice, passing at least 3 closer hospitals, just because I love my doctor so much.
you are hiring this office to answer your questions, regardless of how often you call them, it is their job and their priority to ease your mind and answer any questions you may have. thats what you are paying them for. to feel uneasy about calling your doctors office with questions concerning your pregnancy is ridiculous. they should treat you with respect no matter how silly your questions may be. to be quite honest, if i were treated that way i would feel the need to switch. if you like your doctor then i would discuss it with him first, and based on his reaction, i would decide whether or not i wanted to pursue his services. the hospital i chose to go to is about 40-45 minutes away from me, despite having a hospital right down the road. i am getting wonderful treatment and i feel completely comfortable. i've called their office a few times, not as often as it seems you call
but they are always very pleasant and supportive and eager to answer my questions. i think it adds to the experience, and you owe it to yourself to associate with a doctor AND an office that wants to help you. i mean, ask yourself, "would i go back to this doctor again next time i'm pregnant?" if that answer is no, then i would seek a new obgyn.