How far is too far for OBGYN?

misslin20 · June 2010

I'm so overwhelmed right now....my DH thinks that a neighboring city is too far to go for a OBGYN. I really don't want to start from scratch. At the same time, he has a point and know he is worried if something were to happen in the middle of the night. My doctor's office is 30 minutes away and the hospital in that city is 35 plus minutes depending on the time of the day. What do you all think?

rommelea · June 2010

Is this your first?? If it is - chances are labor won't be a super super fast thing - and 35 minutes would be plenty of time to get to the hospital. The only thing I'd be worried about would be sitting in the car for 35 minutes and trying to deal with contractions. We are 5ish minutes away from the hospital and when I was in labor I felt like I was going to die because we weren't getting there fast enough. I know last time I went through the boards there were plenty of people that were an hour plus away from their doctor and hospital.

JimsBride08 · June 2010

My current one is only 10 mins away, as is the hospital. I am looking to VBAC though and my best options are over an hour away. I don't think yours is too far. If something were to happen in the middle of the night, why is that any different from the middle of the day?

littlemaybaby · June 2010

My OB for my first pregnancy was 45 minutes in no traffic and 2 hours in traffic.

First of all if something were to happen in the middle of the night, you'd call 911 for an emergency - or go to the closest open hospital - this would be true even if your OB was only 15 minutes away. If it's not an emergency, 30 minutes isn't that far.

I live in the DC suburbs and I can't get anywhere in 30 minutes if there is traffic - so I wouldn't switch just for that reason.

I am switching this time to a closer place this time, but I have additional reasons to leave my OB.

Honestly, the biggest consideration for me in the distance is just that you have to go a lot - particularly at the end. It can be a pain to sit in traffic weekly just to pee in a cup and be weighed. I would not worry about the distance for any safety reasons though.

scarlet86 · June 2010

My obgyn was about 30 min away last time. This time I went for closer she is about 15 min. Hospital is about 30 to 50 min away.

misslin20 · June 2010

Yes, this would be our first. I don't think he's too much worried about if everything goes according to plan. He's worried about if I wake up one morning bleeding (his SIL just m/c), or something happening in the middle of the night, or worse during lunch hour when there is tons of traffic.

happyfebruary · June 2010

My OB/GYN's office is only 15 minutes away, but the hospital that I will deliver at is 45 mins-1 hour away depending on traffic. Tell your husband that labor is nothing like what you see on TV and you'll more than likely have HOURS to get to the hospital/doctor's.

jenescort · June 2010

I am high risk due to a heart defect so I have to go to an OB thats working in conjunction with my cardiologist. I have to go to the hospital thats up in Seattle which is 1 1/2 hours away in good traffic. I asked my OB what if I have pre-term labor or some other emergency and she told me I would go to the local hospital and they would transport me up to Seattle. Other than taking a full day off from work for most of my appointments, it doesn't bother me too much. I would rather be in good hands with specialized care for my condition than the convienence of having an OB closer to home.

Soon2BMrsBoylon · June 2010

Okay, so I may get flamed as this is my 1st pregnancy, but I really think it depends on how much you like your OB and the proximity of other OB's. My method of choosing an OB is going something like this (as I am still in search mode):

1. Do I feel like I can trust this Dr. with my pregnancy, questions, concerns? Do I like her personality(I refuse to go to a male OB/GYN, don't think men should be paid to play with something they don't have - just my personal thoughts)?

2. Are they experienced in my preferred method of delivery? I am going for a natural water birth so want an OB/midwife/whatever that is experienced with this and will be supportive of my decision and not try and push meds on me.

3. Do they deliver at the hospital that I want to deliver at?

4. Are they covered under my insurance?

5. How far away is their office?

For me, it takes 25-30 mins to get to any of the area hospitals from my house, so that added to why it wasn't as high on my priority list when choosing a doc. Hope this helps and if anyone has any other thoughts on what I should be looking for to add to my list, that would be great too!

KissyFishyLips · June 2010

My OB and hospital are next to each other. They're about 35 min from our house, but only 15 min from work. The close proximity to work is nice because all of my appointments are during the workday. The distance from our house isn't completely ideal, but we had our choice of 2 hospitals: one was 30 min away and one was 35 min away, lol. So we chose the one we were familiar with and that had the better reputation.

NoemiJ · June 2010

I picked my OB based on proximity to my job (it's 3 blocks away), not my home, this way I can easily go to my appointments before or during work and I don't have to use my leave. I live 10 minutes away from a hospital, but will deliver in a hospital that is 40-45 minutes away.

lsugirljen · June 2010

My OB is about 40 minutes away and the hospital is about the same.

princesscm99 · June 2010

Soon2BMrsBoylon:

Okay, so I may get flamed as this is my 1st pregnancy, but I really think it depends on how much you like your OB and the proximity of other OB's. My method of choosing an OB is going something like this (as I am still in search mode):

1. Do I feel like I can trust this Dr. with my pregnancy, questions, concerns? Do I like her personality(I refuse to go to a male OB/GYN, don't think men should be paid to play with something they don't have - just my personal thoughts)?

2. Are they experienced in my preferred method of delivery? I am going for a natural water birth so want an OB/midwife/whatever that is experienced with this and will be supportive of my decision and not try and push meds on me.

3. Do they deliver at the hospital that I want to deliver at?

4. Are they covered under my insurance?

5. How far away is their office?

For me, it takes 25-30 mins to get to any of the area hospitals from my house, so that added to why it wasn't as high on my priority list when choosing a doc. Hope this helps and if anyone has any other thoughts on what I should be looking for to add to my list, that would be great too!

Indifferent

misslin20 · June 2010

I should mention...that I am in a small city. I have a total of four OBGYN's to choose from! I had one that I loved but he moved and I couldn't find anyone close to me that actually went to an OBGYN in my city. I love having a personal referral....that's why I went to the OBGYN in another city. Two of the doctors practice at a Health Center and they accept walk-ins...that seems a bit scary to me.

madicyn · June 2010

That's not bad. My first labor was 17 hours long, most are around 12. You will have plenty of time.

My OB and Hospital are 17 miles away, about a half hour. There are others closer but I like the OB practice and the hospital has all private rooms for L&D. That sold me.

melnericproper · June 2010

I would go with the Dr. and hospital you feel most comfortable with and that provide the best care. Before I got pregnant, I switched OB/GYN's because my old one only dealt with our UPMC branch hospital which I hate, as do most area residents. Instead, I see the only OB/GYN who will work at a small community hospital in another town that is 30 mins away on a good day (no traffic & good weather.) The hospital is also about 30 mins away. However, I have seen and visited maternity wards at both hospitals and we ALWAYS get better care by using doctors and the ER at the small hospital instead of the UPMC branch. The small hospital is also much more family oriented and not nearly as busy. Family can come and go as they please after the baby is born and visiting rules are much more lax. Also, the rooms in the maternity ward are all single beds with full bathrooms. For us, better care, more comfort, and less headache is worth the extra travel.

NBNurse · June 2010

I have to drive about 30 minutes to get to the hospital where I will deliver. I don't really have a choice because I live in a small town in the middle of nowhere. I'm sure it will suck if I'm in labor and have to go that far, but that's what I have to do.

Buckets of Moonbeams · June 2010

I'm stuck between the two local hospital, both 30 minutes away. It's never bothered me. Given my last WICKED FAST labor, I'm half anticipating delivering at home accidentally anyway.

Buckets of Moonbeams · June 2010

princesscm99:
Soon2BMrsBoylon:

Okay, so I may get flamed as this is my 1st pregnancy, but I really think it depends on how much you like your OB and the proximity of other OB's. My method of choosing an OB is going something like this (as I am still in search mode):

1. Do I feel like I can trust this Dr. with my pregnancy, questions, concerns? Do I like her personality(I refuse to go to a male OB/GYN, don't think men should be paid to play with something they don't have - just my personal thoughts)?

2. Are they experienced in my preferred method of delivery? I am going for a natural water birth so want an OB/midwife/whatever that is experienced with this and will be supportive of my decision and not try and push meds on me.

3. Do they deliver at the hospital that I want to deliver at?

4. Are they covered under my insurance?

5. How far away is their office?

For me, it takes 25-30 mins to get to any of the area hospitals from my house, so that added to why it wasn't as high on my priority list when choosing a doc. Hope this helps and if anyone has any other thoughts on what I should be looking for to add to my list, that would be great too!

And double Indifferent

bandwife928 · June 2010

Soon2BMrsBoylon:

Okay, so I may get flamed as this is my 1st pregnancy, but I really think it depends on how much you like your OB and the proximity of other OB's. My method of choosing an OB is going something like this (as I am still in search mode):

1. Do I feel like I can trust this Dr. with my pregnancy, questions, concerns? Do I like her personality(I refuse to go to a male OB/GYN, don't think men should be paid to play with something they don't have - just my personal thoughts)?

2. Are they experienced in my preferred method of delivery? I am going for a natural water birth so want an OB/midwife/whatever that is experienced with this and will be supportive of my decision and not try and push meds on me.

3. Do they deliver at the hospital that I want to deliver at?

4. Are they covered under my insurance?

5. How far away is their office?

For me, it takes 25-30 mins to get to any of the area hospitals from my house, so that added to why it wasn't as high on my priority list when choosing a doc. Hope this helps and if anyone has any other thoughts on what I should be looking for to add to my list, that would be great too!

These are good and I agree with the order, except the insurance bit. I'll be seeing doctors for delivery that are covered by my insurance. OOP for an RE is one thing; delivery will not be OOP.

finndog · June 2010

I don't think it is too far, but then again my OB & hospital are an hour away.

NewFamily09 · June 2010

My ob and the hospital around both around 30 minutes away. The one hospital that is closer is only maybe 10 minutes closer and doesn't have as good a reputation as mine. I'll stay put. I had a good experience with DS and I'm happy to stay.

misslin20 · June 2010

Thanks so much for all the responses! Whew....I totally started crying when my husband mentioned switching doctors! I did call all the OBGYN's in my city...all four of them! LOL, and given the information I received on them today, DH and I decided that sticking with my regular OBGYN is our best option! We'll pepper him with questions on our first visit to ease our doubts.

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