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March 2013 Moms
cwelshsm
member
Pissed--appointment reschedule (vent)
cwelshsm
member
I know this can happen at any time, but I got a phone call saying that my doc had to go into an emergency c-section, could I come "right now"? Well, I work about an hour away so, no, I can't come right now. But I can be there in a hour. After several rounds of phone tag, they decided that they have to reschedule me. ARGH!!!!
I am SO PISSED. I was planning on telling more people this weekend after the second u/s and now I have to wait. We have two major parties we are going to this weekend and I was really looking forward to sharing my news. I can get away with not telling one group, but the other group are close friends and I really didn't want to have to hide at this party. Totally ruined my weekend.
They asked me if I could reschedule for Tuesday at 11:30am. Um, no, I work, I can be there at 4:15p or later. Well, she is full. Oh, we'll have to call you back again. Thinking about switching obs, I haven't been very happy with this place.
Thanks for listening to my rant. You deserve a giant chocolate chip cookie for listening.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Pissed--appointment reschedule (vent)
That's frustrating. I'm sorry.
I would consider finding an OB closer to your office. It's not uncommon at all for emergencies to arise. I've been sent on my way after arriving at the office when an emergency came up. Even practices that have multiple doctors experience these problems.
At least with an OB more local to you work you could swing out with shorter notice.
If you really wanted to tell your friends, I would probably move forward with that plan.
I sympathize with changing your schedule and how tough that can be but I also think that you may need a little perspective. If you were imminently going to have your baby and things were going poorly and you were told the doc couldn't attend because they were doing an exam, I think you'd be more upset. Cut them a little slack, take a deep breath, and then reexamine the situation taking emotion out of the equation.
If you are still not feeling good about the practice, then by all means you should switch. Just realize that this will likely not be the last time you get rescheduled for a birth - even at a new practice. I can assure you, it isn't anything personal!
That is frustrating especially since you were so excited to share the news this weekend!
My first appt. got rescheduled too due to the Dr. needing to go to the hospital for delivery. Like someone else said I just thought well if I was in labor I would want the Dr to skip out on a regular appt too.
This. When I had DS, my doctor showed up at the hospital at 1:00 pm on a Thursday...I looked at him and said "why aren't you at the office?" But trust me, I was told I was needing a c-section and I was very glad that he was there.
I'm surprised your doctor/secretary didn't tell you that he was on-call when you made the appointment. They'll always tell me who's on call so I can schedule with someone else or risk having my appointment cancelled because of your reason.
Sorry about your trouble!
My little man at 0-1-2
Even if the doctor isn't on call, they start pulling from doctors who are working in the practice that day if they need extra hands. Most hospitals require 2 OBs for c-sections. If there are a few emergencies, they end up having to pull actively working non-call doctors.
I'm not saying you're wrong, but my OB was the only one (from my practice at least) that was there for my c-section. And I've never had another doctor had to miss an appointment for me throughout my entire last pregnancy that was not on call. Maybe I've been lucky?
My little man at 0-1-2
I'm not sure if it's luck either way? Just policy at some hospitals.
I was given a folder full of info about hospital policy and what to expect upon admission. One sheet was about c-sections, and stated the per hospital policy there must be 2 OBs attending the surgery. There is often a "hospital" OB in the building who I assume may serve as the 2nd OB in some cases. (The hospital OB does not have a private practice, and merely fills in the gaps as though this is not a huge hospital, it has a very active maternity ward.)
For my first I had a sole practitioner because "I wanted her to deliver my baby". I dealt with cancelled appointments and the wait time for each was attrocious. She had one other person on call, and guess what, that other person (who I had never seen) delivered me. For this pg I chose someone different because I wanted to change hospitals. I think I am realizing, though, with this one that honestly, the person who delivers you is very likely a crap shoot, and I might as well find an office that keeps appointments and hope that I get one of the 5 or 6 docs in the practice for the delivery. I am very seriously thinking about your suggestion, calling around and doing some more research.
Similar thing happened to me yesterday. Appointment at 9, didn't get seen for an hour due to emergency c-section.
I agree with PPs. Maybe looking for a new OB isn't a bad idea. I actually picked my office because of it's proximity to my work. And every major hospital is about 30 minutes away from my house. Anytime I go into the office, somebody makes a comments about how far it from my house. Well, it's 7 minutes from work but 30 from home.
I'd be looking for a new practice too, just because scheduling appointments with work and/or a toddler is difficult enough, especially if you are already having to drive a long distance!
I may be in the minority but after my last pregnancy as long as I get along with whoever is delivering the baby, I don't really care who it is. I was lucky enough to see my OB at every appointment but then he had a hospital resident deliver Colby and stitch me up. I didn't give a crap at that point.
This happened to me a few times during my pregnancy with DS. My OB is the only one in the practice, and he has 2 NPs that work there as well. If you don't need to see the OB at that particular appt the NPs will check you real quick and send you on your way.
I did have an appt where I was given the option to wait until he was done with the delivery or reschedule. Everyone else in the waiting room left, so I decided to wait and he was back in 10 min. My OBs office is right in the hospital he delivers at.
Its frustrating, but nothing to be pissed about. This is fairly common, whether you're with a single practitioner or a larger practice. There are 9 OBs at the practice I go to, and I RARELY am seen on time. It's just the nature of the field, it is almost impossible for them to keep a regular schedule with their patients. I have shown up for appointments and told she's running 2 hours behind and given the option of waiting/coming back/rescheduling, I've been called ahead of time to reschedule, and I've sat in the exam room for an hour+ because she got called away after I'd already been brought back. It happens, and its never convenient. FWIW, I would try to find a practice that is close to your job. My office is about 10 minutes away from my work (and also happens to be connected to the hospital I'll deliver at) so it's not as big of a deal for me to have to leave and come back or whatever.
It sucks, but as we all know, babies come on their own schedule and there is nothing the doctors can do about it. A delivery or emergency will always take precedence over a regular appointment or u/s.
This happened to me at my very first appointment. The one that I was super excited for to confirm my pregnancy, ect. At least your office called you. DH and I didn't find out until we got there. I was completely understanding as that might be me in March. Sure it sucked that both DH and I had to take time off of work, but to me it was worth it to know my doctor will be there if that is me. My doctor is part of a larger practice but she delivers all of her babies no matter what time of day unless she's on vacation. In the entire time I've gone to my doctor (3 years), that was the first time that's happened. Just my bad luck it was on that special day.
I also work 45 minutes away, so I understand your frustration but I don't think it's a reason to find a new OB. Unless they have other poor service or policies you don't agree with.
This.
BFP #1: 9-20-2010 EDD: 5-25-2011 DD #1 born: 5-23-2011
BFP #2: 6-14-2012 EDD: 2-15-2013 MC: 6-19-2012 5w5d
BFP #3: 7-18-2012 EDD: 3-26-2012
Look, I understand that you're disappointed, but honestly, get a grip. Someone went in for an emergency c-section and needed the doctor. If you had an emergency with your pregnancy, wouldn't you want your doctor there, regardless of whether it was going to "ruin" someone else's weekend?
If having your appointments as scheduled is that important to you, and you really can't take time off of work to go to any, then find a group practice.