Dr. Seeker?

Bride2Be11406 · June 2009

I am looking for a new OBGYN to possibly help with some of the TTC issues I have and have heard lots of wonderful things about him. I have a few questions, if anyone could help...

If and when I do get pregnant, I am very interested in at least trying to go natural. Is he supportive with that?

I would like to not be induced and go up to and possibly go over my due date. Is he supportive with that mentality?

I would like to avoid a c-section unless absolutely medically necessary. Is that his line of thought?

Thanks for the help!

JessHeath · June 2009

I loved Dr Seeker and so do many women on here, but I did not feel that his practice was as supportive of a "natural/ no intervention" childbirth as I wanted. I switched drs at 32 weeks, but I have no ill will towards Dr S and think he is a wonderful man. I know there was at least one other person on here who used Dr S with fertility help but then gave birth elsewhere (note: He was just my OB I didn't use him for TTC help- but he is great in this department as well).

EDT: I was still induced though (went 9 days over) even with a different dr, but did not end up with a C-section, but I did have an epidural... so who knows what it would've been like had I just stayed with Dr.S.

IMO if you are really trying to go with a non intervention birth you might want to look into birthing centers once you are PG.

GL

userdeleted · June 2009

I had Dr. S for #1 and it's a great practice. However, to answer your questions:

1) No, he is not supportive of natural childbirth, IMO. Its not like he'd strap you down and forcibly stick in the epidural, but the mentality is just that they don't see what the purpose of dealing with the pain is. I took the childbirth class the practice offers and the nurse borderline made fun of med-free childbirth

2) If you go over your due date you'll likely face extreme pressure to induce, probably by 41 weeks. I was told that they once "let" someone go to 42 weeks, but that was it.

3) He likes c-sections.

Like I said, I think he's a great doctor, and really a great person. I wish this post didn't sound so negative towards him. We are switching practices for #2, because I very strongly feel a VBAC is the best choice for me and he very strongly discouraged me from pursuing it. If that hadn't been an issue I would have definitely stuck with them. Part of me will be sad to leave.

Kim777 · June 2009

I did not try to go natural, so I do not know about that part of it. I know that he wouldn't schedule an induction for me until I was one week overdue, but at that point my understanding is that he does want to do so. In my case, I went through two weeks of constant, very painful contractions that weren't changing my cervix and I was in his office several times in tears begging to be induced. He wouldn't do it because he said I hadn't made enough progress and statistically speaking I was very likely to end up with a c-section if they induced at that point. He has been super supportive of my desire to have my twins vaginally, but my Baby A does have to be in head-down position and I know that he also wants singletons to be in head-down position as well to deliver vaginally. Other than that, in my experience he definitely didn't push for a c-section.

naclh2otaffy · June 2009

I have had friends give birth with Dr. S. who did not use drugs. He tries to be supportive of mothers' choices, but is also of the "why be in pain" mentality.

I believe he does not like women to go more than 41 weeks. He'll spout statistics at you if you ask.

I had a c-section several weeks before my due date because it was medically necessary for me. He is supportive of birth plans, but cautious. I do think his first love is surgery. He gets a gleam in his eye when he gets to cut. On one of my visits, I mentioned the growth of a skintag that was cosmetically troublesome to me, and he was practically giddy asking a nurse to bring in some sterlie scissors so he could lop it off for me. I was grateful for that, and grateful for his surgical skills. I needed no real pain medications after leaving the hospital less than 48 hours after my c-section. I had a hysteroscopy done in December and left there in no pain and stopped to have breakfast tacos on my way home.

If you are having fertility issues, another option would be Texas Fertility Center, but they only knock you up, they don't do deliveries. Dr. Vaughn was my doctor there and I highly recommend him.

Bookworm75 · June 2009

I LOVE Dr Seeker! He helped us through IF and eventually got us PG w/DS. I did not seek an unmedicated birth, but if you don't want meds, no one forces you. He has you fill out a birth plan sheet in advance so that he knows your wishes ahead of time.

My first pgncy I was induced b/c I was 6 days overdue and good thing too, b/c DS ended up being 9.6lbs.

My 2nd pgncy was a scheduled c/s on her due date b/c of the difficult delivery I had w/DS. It was my request, he did not sway me either way, but was supportive of my choice. I even chose the c/s date!

In my experience with him, we have always gone over all the options and weighed the pros and cons and then it was up to me to choose the direction we went, and he was always very supportive of me.

mcgee · June 2009

I spoke with him today about our desire to try hypnobirthing/hypnobabies during labor, and he said that he'd seen some instances where it worked wonderfully and the births were absolutely amazing, and other instances where it didn't particularly work well for those mothers, but that it was up to me. I did not feel at all like he was unsupportive of it.

I can't speak to his thoughts on inductions past the due date, as I haven't gotten there yet. However, with my first child, I was induced at 37 weeks for medical reasons, so I am guessing that if I make it to 40 weeks this time, I'll probably be MORE than ready for this kiddo to get out.

Everyone I know glowingly recommends AAOBGYN (Dr. Seeker's practice, although he's not the only doctor there) or the Texas Fertility Center for infertility treatment. If you do opt to see Dr. Seeker or someone else in his practice and you later determine that the birth experience offered isn't what you want, you are certainly free to change doctors or even switch to a midwife. I have been seriously debating a switch as well, mostly because I am just plain sick and tired of being forced to wait a long time for each and every appointment. But then today, I was in and out in just over an hour, which I think is a record for me with Seeker's office. So now I'm undecided about switching.

rssnlvr · June 2009

At our last appointment w/ Seeker, I did talk to the nurse about my cousin's baby who was a week late and ended up in NICU with breathing issues. She said that what can happen is that the baby makes a bowel movement inside due to being "so late" and may have ingested some of it, thus causing breathing problems or a possible infection. Then she said, "That's why Dr. Seeker doesn't like you going over 41 weeks." So I'm guessing he would really push for an induction by then rather than let you keep going.

As for natural/unmedicated, whatever, the impression that I've gotten is that as long as you seem like you are open-minded to possible necessary medical intervention, they are open-minded to you trying whatever you want. I think they may just get a little more nervous about women who are so insistent on their unmedicated vision that they put themselves or their baby at risk if something happens, you know?

I start my Bradley class in four weeks, so we'll see how it goes after that w/ Seeker and his staff! :-)

brideonjuly8 · June 2009

In my birth expirence it really isn't the doc so much as the L&D nurses who are the ones responsible for asking about pain meds. The doc doesn't really have much to do with you except for internals and delivery (besides appts) , otherwise it's mainly the nurses who have to hear your screaming. When I got there and my induction started (my choice) they asked when I wanted my epi, since it was stated on my birth plan that I wanted one and I said as soon as I can get it, as long as thing are progressing as they should. Dr S was in accordance with this and said I could have after he checked me the first time and I was 4 cm, up from 3.

As far as pain meds, I think DrS (from my expirence only) seems to really care about what YOU want. He was very upfront with me when DS was looking to be a little on the bigger side, told me I should have absolutely no problems birthing a big baby. Evidently, I have a good birthing pelvis. Now, I don't think he would have been that upfront with me if he likes to cut as much as some say they think he does. DS also had meconium in the water, which can often lead to the infant not tolerating labor as well and that can often lead to a C-sec and he never mentioned it once after the first time he told me they were going to watch us both closer than they normally would.

The lady next door to me had a natural cildbirth. My L&D nurse said 99% of women get one, so maybe they just aren't used to someone wanting to go nautral.

As far as induction, I know he's open to it as long as you are progressing, and I'm sure there are reasons for it after your due date. Low fluid, placenta not working as well, etc. He didn't pressure me at all, he said I was favorable if I wanted to go ahead and schedule one, which I did- I was in early labor ALL weekend and was wore.out.

I have the start of PCOS and when I went in with large cysts and super long cycles he mentioned a drug called Femara, and gave me a Rx for it saying it should make my cycles shorter. BUT it was completely up to me to take it, but call the office if I do. I got pregnant that cycle so I didn't end up needing it but I loved that he was so proactive, but yet left it up to me to decide what to do.

Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is he's a great doc and if you go in with some of your concerns and talk to him I'm sure he would be willing to work with you.

lovemydog · June 2009

I'm also a Seeker patient. One thing to keep in mind is that he is immensely popular, so I often wait hours to see him at appointments, which is annoying. One time my husband and I waited for 3 hours. I know of at least one other nestie who has switched to a different doctor in the same practice because of this. That said, he's very nice.

rssnlvr · June 2009

In response to the long-wait thing, we had to wait about 1.5 hours our first visit, and after that we simply started scheduling our appointments for the first one of the day (or as close as possible) and we haven't had to wait longer than 20-30 minutes again. Just something to keep in mind!

gabrielle20 · June 2009

I never used him for TTC so no help there. BUT I think Dr. Seeker plays the odds. If everything is going great then he will listen to what you want and let you go past youo due date until 41 weeks. If he feels you something might be wrong he will tell you that and recommend what he thinks is best for you and the baby even if it means getting induced before 40 weeks.

As far as waiting (I kind of not want to say this for fear I am jinxing myself) I am always in and out in 1-1 1/2 hours. I make all my appts before 9am and never had to wait more than 30 minutes in the waiting room and maybe 15-30 min in the examine room. I think that wait is worth it for him. But if I had to wait 3 hrs every time I might rethink that (but like I said I never had to so far)

With all that said I don't see the harm in meeting with and then change drs if you don't mesh well with his practice

naclh2otaffy · June 2009

brideonjuly8:
Now, I don't think he would have been that upfront with me if he likes to cut as much as some say they think he does.

I think he would be that upfront with you. I think he's positive and supportive of what his patients want, and always puts an encouraging spin on things. Just to clarify since I was the outspoken one about surgical matters. I don't think he unnecessarily pushes c-sections. I agree, as someone else said, he plays the odds. But having seen him perform several surgeries on both me and my child, I do absolutely think he enjoys surgery. And I think that's great - a doctor who likes all aspects of his job.

m_and_m · June 2009

I used Dr Seeker got TTC issues, but did not use him for OB care. He is a fabulous Dr and surgeon, but my ideal birth was med-free at home (I went med-free in a birth center). In the time I was his patient before a successful PG, we talkeda lot about birth, etc and my conclusion was that he was not supportive of a med-free/intervention-free birth. In the slightest. And you know, that's okay if you don't desire to go med-free or have complicatins that make it unlikely to happen. But for me that made his practice not right for delivery.

The long wait times are a huge issue for me. I've never waited less than a couple hours to see him, even for a first thing appt. I understand he's off delivering a baby much of the time, but I just don't have all day to sit in his waiting room. I need to go in soon actually, but I have to set up childcare for almost an entire day to be able to do so- DD goes to MDO for 3.5 hours a week, which isn't enough time for me to drop her off, drive to his office (well, since he's moved it's not so far for me), wait, see him, then drive back. That's why I've wanted to switch to another Dr, but the reason I haven't is a whole other story....

kiarox2002 · June 2009

I *heart* Dr Seeker! ?We are doing Bradley classes right now and he has been super supportive. ?We'll see how the actual birth goes, but he has been nothing but encouraging so far (some of his nurses, less so). ?Also, he's delivering at NAMC now, and from what we've learned in our classes they have a fair amount of natural deliveries as one of the Drs there works with midwives. ?He signed off on our birth plan yesterday which included delayed cord cutting and no IV. ?We do plan on having our next (if we can get pg again) at the BIrthing Center.

As for the issue of waiting, it is a PITA, but worth it in my opinion. ?It took a long time for us to get pg, so I might have a skewed perspective on that though... ?I just bring a book or some knitting.?

Bride2Be11406 · June 2009

Thanks to everyone for the answers. I did decide to make an appointment with him. I want to try this route for a little longer and see if I have any luck. My insurance covers nothing when it comes to IF, and I'd like to wait about 6 more months before taking the mega expensive route that was recommended to me at TFC.

The first appointment that was open was in July and mid-day... does anyone want to guess how long of a wait I'll have?? :-)

aggieoj · June 2009

Is your appointoment with him or with a nurse practitioner? If it's with him...it may be a little longer than with a np. With the issues DH and I have had TTC and going through rounds of doctors we very much love and appreciate Seeker so don't mind the waiting at all! We'd rather wait for him than get in quickly to a doc who doesn't meet our needs. Knowing the wait is possible we have our busy work (reading, etc.) just in case there is a wait. Usually it's not that bad. Maybe the longest for me (of MANY appts has been 2.5 hrs? -the norm being about 1 hr)

Also - to chime in on him being open to your wishes, we have decided many things that work/don't work for us. He knows our preferences, he'll explain the odds, the stats,etc then lets us know ultimately it's up to us then he'll give us a good hug : ) Never felt pressure. GL!

mlf625 · June 2009

Bride2Be11406:
Thanks to everyone for the answers.? I did decide to make an appointment with him.? I want to try this route for a little longer and see if I have any luck.? My insurance covers nothing when it comes to IF, and I'd like to wait about 6 more months before taking the mega expensive route that was recommended to me at TFC.
The first appointment that was open was in July and mid-day... does anyone want to guess how long of a wait I'll have?? :-)

I think it's great you made the appt. ?I'm as big of a Dr. S fan as you'll find. ?I had 2 m/c under the "care" (or lack thereof) of another practice and Dr. S and his nurses bent over backwards to guide me through TTC again and surviving a stressful pregnancy with spotting, gestational diabetes, and a ton of nervousness because of my history.

Do I think he's the most pro-natural birth? ?Nope. ?I was all about scheduling a c/s and he seemed very pleased with that decision after discussing with me things like bishop score, failed induction rates, risk of overdue gestational diabetes babies, etc. ?BUT- I think he's also very open to his patients wants and needs. ?Meet with him in July and see what you think.

As far as the wait, mine were never bad at all! ?And I never made first thing in the morning appointments, because I didn't want to battle traffic. ?I think my longest wait was 90 minutes, and that was once. ?And the second he came into the room and treated me like I was the only patient on his schedule for the whole day, the wait was forgiven. ?;) ?That's part of why he runs behind- he doesn't rush, doesn't start flipping the next patient's chart before he's out of your exam room. ?He gets an A+ in my book.?

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