Is this normal? OBGYN question

UMichGirl · December 2011

Let me preface by saying I was SPOILED being a patient out at C.CRM in Colorado. The nurses are so responsive--they will always call back within 24 hours (usually same day) and I can also EMAIL my nurse and get a response even within a few hours.

I called my OBGYN's office yesterday before noon and left a message because I had some questions for a nurse. I still hadn't heard anything, so when I got home today I called back again at 4:35...to find out that on Fridays they close at 4:30. Angry Now the earliest I will hear back is Monday--FOUR days after I called them. And it was a question about an antibiotic they put me on...by Monday I'll be pretty much done with it.

This on top of the fact that at our first appointment we were there 2.5 hours. My 10am ultrasound ended up happening at around 10:45, and then they told us they "didn't have a room" for us yet. Then we were told by another lady that the doctor had gotten called to the hospital for a c-section...Yet, while I was back at my ultrasound we heard someone should, "Dr. V wants to know where Pasquale's is!" (Which we took to mean he was on the road, stopping to pick up lunch, and was--hopefully--coming back soon.) They told us he should be back by 11:30am and we were going to be the first patient he saw...We didn't get seen until noon.

I'm just overall frustrated. I worked SO hard to get pregnant, and now that I'm at the point where I'll be graduating from the RE I can't even get my OBGYN's attention. Am I overreacting, and this is just normal and I need to get used to it? Or am I justified in being frustrated here?!

ETA: I emailed my nurse (in COLORADO) around 5pm last night--3pm their time. Within two hours I had a response back. I find it crazy that my nurse two time zones away can answer my questions (very sympathetically I might add) before a nurse five miles from my house can.

firewife9278 · December 2011

C - I don't think that's normal. My former OB's office was like that (the one I was seeing pre-RE). At my new office, I've never waited more than 15min to see my doctor or for any appointments. If I call with a question, I have a call back within an hour most of the time. I really like my OB and the PA that works with him. The nursing staff is pretty much awesome too

I'm sorry you're dealing with this, and you are absolutely justified in being frustrated. If that had been my experience, I would be changing doctors.

KBabySmiles · December 2011

As for them not getting back to you...I don't think that is common at that office. I don't know what is up with that. If you are worried and seriously concerned, I would call the emergency line and tell them you want him to call you back. I am sure he will right away.

As far as the apt wait, I have never heard of someone waiting THAT long, but I have heard from friends that if you don't get one of the first appointments of the day that you can have to wait around for a while. Because he tries so hard to be at every one of his patients deliveries, I have often heard that you can get pushed back if he has to go to the hospital in an emergency. You have to decide what is more important to you, knowing he will try his darndest to be there to birth your LO or finding a Dr. that will be there at the appointments on time. I will say that he is AMAZING in L&D and I don't know what I would have done without him.

When is your next appointment? I would go with an open mind and honestly talk to him about your concerns and see what he says. Since I followed him from his old practice he has always been open to hearing my comments/concerns about the new practice and open to dialogue.

GL with whatever you decide.

ETA: I would be totally annoyed too. I was just saying that he is a great doctor. I would not be calm about the situation AT ALL.

GreeneyesP · December 2011

First off, congrats on the pregnancy!

Secondly, that is not normal. Did they not give you an alternative? My MW office gave me three numbers to call afterhours/weekends. Also, normally they will give you the contact number of the resident on-call at the hospital where you will deliver. If it is a perscription question, have you tried calling the pharmacist in the mean time?

I'd be really frustrated if I couldn't get a response from my Dr. for four days. You are totally justifed.

Jessicamz · December 2011

No, that is not normal! You should get a call back from the nurse within the same day. I've never waited more than a few hours for a general question.

2 1/2 hours is a pretty long time for an appointment. Did you have bloodwork? I will say the intial appointment and ultrasound is definitely a longer appointment. Both times mine were close to 2 hours including u/s, actual visit with the doctor, bloodwork, payment, etc. Can I ask what OB you see? Is there only 1 doctor in the practice? That could be the problem.

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