Trying to Get Pregnant

My doctor is an idiot (vent)

Long story (kind of) short - I had an appointment today with my OBGYN.  I stopped BCPs in early December and my cycles have not regulated yet (I know this is normal and it can take awhile).  I saw a naturopath last month just to check in and make sure that I was doing everything I could to stay healthy and help my cycles regulate.  She felt like it would be a good idea to get some basic lab work done at this point.  My insurance won't pay for it if the naturopath orders it, so I ended up making an appt. with my OBGYN to check in and have her order the labs.

 Basically, it was a total waste of time and I know now that she is NOT the doctor for me.  She doesn't know how temping works - she pointed to my crosshairs and said, "what does that line mean"?  I told her that I was concerned about my short LP and her response was, "well, you always ovulate 14 days before your period".  I told her that based on my temperatures and OPKs, my LP is only 10 to 11 days.  She said, "no, your temp rise must have been on the wrong day.  Everyone ovulates 14 days before their period".  Ummmmm, WHAT???  Shouldn't she know how this works?  Her nurse was trying to be "helpful" as well by telling me that a lot of their patients get pregnant once they decide to take a break and not focus on TTC (yeah, that makes a lot of sense!).  To top it all off, my doctor asked me if I wanted a prescription for clomid.  Yep, I have 4 cycles under my belt, have had no blood work or anything, but she offers to write me a clomid prescription today.  Also, on her way out the door, she says, "btw, BCPs did not cause this.  It's just the way your cycles are".    Ugh!!!!!!  I can't handle the stupid.

 Thanks for listening:)  I just have to say that I am so glad I found this board and I appreciate all of the knowledge and logical advice you gals share.

 Obviously, I will by finding a new doctor ASAP.  Anyone else have experience with this kind of thing?  What's the best way to go about finding a knowledgeable doctor?  Can you interview doctors before you decide to switch to them?     

imageimage
Me(32) + DH(32) TTC #1 since Dec 2011
RE consult Dec 2012, diagnosed with lean PCOS (didn't see that coming!)  medicated cycles 1 - 4 = BFN
cycle 5 - metformin, femara 7.5mg, IUI #1, progesterone = BFP!!!
beta #1 (13dpiui) 37, beta #2 (15dpiui) 104, u/s at 6w5d hb of 115
image

Re: My doctor is an idiot (vent)

  • Ugh, that sounds so frustrating. As for interviewing Drs, I was able to meet with two Drs (I loved the second one I met, so I didn't need to meet anymore) and ask a bunch of questions. It was great and made me feel good about going with her. I was already pregnant at the time, but we were moving so I was not established with anyone at that point. Good luck. I hope you find someone you love and trust.
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  • Isn't it scary to think that they actually have a degree in the field and are still that clueless! I wonder how much she cheated in medical school.. *eyeroll*

    I hope you find another doctor soon, and that they're super awesome! Good luck TTC!
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  • Wow that is nuts!  Definitely find yourself someone new.  I'm not sure how it works there, but here you can just have your family doctor send you to someone new.  I have been through a couple in the last few years until getting my most recent one that seems to be very on the ball and her clinic staff is just amazing and friendly.

    Best of luck!

    BFP #1 09/15/09, MMC 09/28/09
    BFP #2 06/04/12, EDD 02/09/13, MC at 6w3d on 06/18/12
    BFP #3 01/16/13, EDD 10/04/13, Born 09/17/13

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  • Ummm....that's terrifying! Can you imagine all of the poor women who DONT know what's really going on and trust this Doctor? Yikes!

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers BabyFetus Ticker
  • Thanks, ladies. It is definitely scary to think that she is out there treating thousands of people. No one is perfect, but at the very least I expect a basic level of knowledge on the subject one specializes in. It's crazy to think that she has been practicing for many years and still thinks that every woman always has a 14 day LP. 
    imageimage
    Me(32) + DH(32) TTC #1 since Dec 2011
    RE consult Dec 2012, diagnosed with lean PCOS (didn't see that coming!)  medicated cycles 1 - 4 = BFN
    cycle 5 - metformin, femara 7.5mg, IUI #1, progesterone = BFP!!!
    beta #1 (13dpiui) 37, beta #2 (15dpiui) 104, u/s at 6w5d hb of 115
    image
  • That's terrible. Some doctors will let you do an interview, some you will have to schedule at least a consult. It depends on the doctor. If I were you I would write a review of this doctor. For me that was one of the things that helped me narrow my search. First I had a list of doctors in network that were nearby. Then I read reviews. Finally I went for a consult. Luckily I really liked my first gyn, but I have switched other doctors after the 1st visit.
    image
    BFP 8/03/12 EDD 4/18/13
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  • Just curious, what made your naturopath decide that you needed to go in for bloodwork? 

    And, not that it makes it ok for your doctor to offer you clomid like it's candy, but most OBGYNs are used to dealing with pregnancy after the fact.  They are highly skilled in monitoring pregnancy and delivering babies . . . not always in assisting with getting pregnant. 

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    Anniversary



  • OBs don't specialize in getting people pregnant - they specialize I the care of patients once they are already pregnant.  I know it's frustrating, I had a similar experience in that my doctor did not know what a LP was (mine was 7-8 days long).  I managed to convince him to test my progesterone but when it came back low, he wouldn't do anything but thankfully, referred me to a specialist (who then insisted on doing full testing before treating the progesterone issue).  My advice - see an RE.  GL! :)
    Miscarriage in January 2012 at 8 weeks
    Subsequently diagnosed with low P4, LOR. MH DX low motility, varicocele 
    BFP in July 2012 (Gonal-f + trigger + IUI#2 (B2B) + prometrium)
    Lost Baby A prior to 7 weeks; large SCH; Baby B (Bug) was born in March 2013
    BFP June 2014; EDD February 19, 2015
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  • imageBittyMang:

    Ummm....that's terrifying! Can you imagine all of the poor women who DONT know what's really going on and trust this Doctor? Yikes!

    This was my first thought too...

    I left my last OB... but he wasn't incompetent so much as his billing dept was incompetent and rude... and his incorrect diagnosis of our infertility didn't help.  I asked a friend who she used... because she seemed really pleased.  Good luck on finding a new doctor, OP.

    Me: 32, DH: 45... TTC #1 since May 2010
    July - Nov 2011: Testing with OB... OB said everything looks good
    March - Sept 2012: Moved to RE.. 4 treatment cycles - responses of one or no follicles
    09.03.12: Diagnosed Poor Ovarian Response.. DE IVF only option
    Feb - Nov 2012: Pursued Adoption. That door slammed shut.
    12.23.12: Surprise BFP (first ever)... 12.25 - 12.31: Natural M/C
  • imagelauriemel:

    Just curious, what made your naturopath decide that you needed to go in for bloodwork? 

    And, not that it makes it ok for your doctor to offer you clomid like it's candy, but most OBGYNs are used to dealing with pregnancy after the fact.  They are highly skilled in monitoring pregnancy and delivering babies . . . not always in assisting with getting pregnant. 

    All of this. An RE would be the specialist to help you get pregnant. NOT that you are at that point yet with only four cycles under your belt.

    2 girls and a dog
  • Oh my God...Some people. The best advice I can give is to shop around online for docs in your area and then have a trial run until you find someone who makes you comfortable. Having faith in your doctor is so important, so take as much time as you can afford to!
  • imageKMac570:
    OBs don't specialize in getting people pregnant - they specialize I the care of patients once they are already pregnant.  I know it's frustrating, I had a similar experience in that my doctor did not know what a LP was (mine was 7-8 days long).  I managed to convince him to test my progesterone but when it came back low, he wouldn't do anything but thankfully, referred me to a specialist (who then insisted on doing full testing before treating the progesterone issue).  My advice - see an RE.  GL! :)

    I was going to say this - OBs aren't specialists in reproduction and fertility. But, it is scary that she's throwing Rx's around.

    image

    bfp#4 3/19/2014 edd 12/1/2014 please let this be the one!

    beta @ 5w0d = 12,026! u/s 4/22/14 @ 8w1d it's twins!

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  • Find a new doctor for sure. OBs don't necessarily know everything (or very much) about GETTING pregnant, but they should know enough to refer you to someone who does. I'm just seeing my PCP, but I switched because my old doc is an idiot and doesn't listen to a damn thing I say. My PCP is doing some bloodwork and told me if it doesn't show anything, she will refer me to a fertility specialist who DOES know what she's doing. That's what I like about my new doc, if she doesn't know the answer to something, she refers me to someone who does. Good luck.
  • imageheather_09_15_07:
    imagelauriemel:

    Just curious, what made your naturopath decide that you needed to go in for bloodwork? 

    And, not that it makes it ok for your doctor to offer you clomid like it's candy, but most OBGYNs are used to dealing with pregnancy after the fact.  They are highly skilled in monitoring pregnancy and delivering babies . . . not always in assisting with getting pregnant. 

    All of this. An RE would be the specialist to help you get pregnant. NOT that you are at that point yet with only four cycles under your belt.

     

    My naturopath recommended basic blood work just to 1) rule out any super obvious issues, like a thyroid imbalance, and 2) to check my hormone levels (I'm mostly interested in making sure I have enough progesterone).  I know it takes time, but after 7 months off the pill, I was hoping things would be somewhat regular.  She said that the blood work was definitely not necessary, but if we did get some baseline values, it could help her figure out how to help me better.

     I realize that OBGYNs do not specialize in getting people pregnant (although OBGYNs do specialize in "dealing with the female reproductive organs in their pregnant and non-pregnant state", so I do expect a basic knowledge level about this sort of thing).  I am not at that point yet.  I took the approach of "it's been 7 months, things have not regulated, and I'm wondering if you can order some basic lab work".  She took it from that to "BCPs didn't cause this, here's an order for an HSG, here's an order for a SA, and do you want this Rx for Clomid?".

     

    Thanks everyone!  I appreciate the advice and I am looking forward to finding a new (awesome) doctor!  

    imageimage
    Me(32) + DH(32) TTC #1 since Dec 2011
    RE consult Dec 2012, diagnosed with lean PCOS (didn't see that coming!)  medicated cycles 1 - 4 = BFN
    cycle 5 - metformin, femara 7.5mg, IUI #1, progesterone = BFP!!!
    beta #1 (13dpiui) 37, beta #2 (15dpiui) 104, u/s at 6w5d hb of 115
    image
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