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3rd Trimester
OBGYN is MIA at 37 weeks!
Welp- I never thought I would need to post here, because I quite enjoy the simplicity of reading and commenting on other's posts and getting all of my insight without actually asking for it, but that was before I ever thought I would have a crisis of my own! I was smooth-sailing through this pregnancy, until I was sucker-punched on my ass at my doctor's appointment today.
I sign-in and immediately the front-desk-lady informs me that my doctor is no longer working for tri-health (Tri-health is the health care system that operates a few of the hospitals in Cincinnati) as of yesterday! She relayed the only information she had, which was a paper from a big stack of letters, explaining, "to the patient, dr froehlich is no longer working for tri-health. here are some alternative options...." and then it goes on, to give some background on the replacement doctors in the office, and how she has been a licensed ob for...wait for it...a whopping year! which gives me plenty of confidence, ya know, because dr. froehlich hasn't been delivering babies for like, 40 years or anything!
It was just very emotional for me. I had a very strong connection and trust with my doctor, one that I know I will never find in any physician ever again. Now I want to switch offices completely, because I have no interest in the nurse practioner at this particular practice...nor did I make a very comfortable connection with the "replacement" doctor today. I have a specific doctor in mind, whom I will be calling on Monday since his office wasn't open today. I was hoping to hear some personal anecdotes about similar situations... switching doctors as late as 37 weeks. Success stories, I hope!
I'm just absolutely devastated! I truly looked forward to MY doctor delivering my baby.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: OBGYN is MIA at 37 weeks!
Well in Canada it is very different from the US. And regions can very but in my case I just see my GP until 27 weeks then I am turned over to a OB which has to be the recommendation of my doctor (you really don't get to choose). Also there is no guarantee that your OB is going to deliver your baby it is just whichever OB is oncall at the hospital at that time.
So I can see how this can be unsettling for you as this is what you are use to but I am sure you can find a replacement whether it is the replacement doctor or a new one. Everything will work out. Maybe you just didn't give the replacement doc a chance because you were so upset. I hope you find someone you are comfortable with. In my case I have take what I get.
Don't forget that the Dr you liked was new 39 to 40 years ago. You may just have to give them a chance.
I'm with Kaiser and the Dr. you see throughout the pregnancy will not the Dr. who will deliver you.
I'm sending you lots of luck with finding a new doctor you like!
My office rotates me through 4 doctors and I'm pretty sure none of them ever remember me. It's like starting over every appointment. No, it's not as nice as having the same doctor but just take it as it is, be proactive and know what is going on with your pregnancy so you can remind the doctor if they forget something, and hang in there! You can do it!
I just wanted to comment on the new doc you mentioned though. She probably has more experience than you're giving her credit for. You're in the US, right? If so, the doc had 4 years of med school after completing 4 yrs of college. During med school, she would have studied some OB/GYN and was tested on it. She graduated medical school at least 5 years ago, at which point she was awarded the title MD or DO and passed her licensing exam to practice medicine. The licensing exam is no cake walk, BTW! Then for 4 years, she studied OB/GYN extensively as a resident. Finally, a year or so ago, upon completion of her residency, she may have prob did take and pass the OB/GYN board exam. And it sounds like she's been practicing on her own now for a year or so. I definitely wouldn't call her inexperienced! She has at least 9 years of experience in medicine, and at least 5 of those years were spent studying/practicing OB/GYN!
Plus, new docs have been taught all the latest advances in medicine, as opposed to older docs who, although they certainly can keep their knowledge current, may be a bit behind the times when it comes to treating patients using the newest guidelines. Generally speaking, I prefer a younger doc to a much older one.
If you're looking for a new practice in the Cincinnati area, I absolutely love my ob/gyn, Dr. Maria Gerber. She is with UC Physicians and she sees patients in Clifton and West Chester. I know that no one will replace your doctor, but Dr. Gerber is pretty awesome. Her practice only delivers at UC Hospital, since West Chester Medical Center doesn't have a birthing unit, but I had my daughter at UC Hospital and had a pretty positive experience overall, and have no reservations about having this baby there.
I'm sorry that this happened to you so late in your pregnancy, and I hope you're able to find someone you're at least comfortable with before your baby arrives!
Good luck!
This is me too. I was surprised and a little upset when I first found out about this, but I've gotten used to it now and I figure they went through like 10 years of school to become a doctor, so whoever I get is likely to at least be decent. I may be induced however so my OB could schedule a time where he is at the hospital to be able to deliver the baby.
With my first I had 3 doctors in the practice I went to and the 1 doctor I rarely saw ended up being the one on call the day I was induced. I had it in my mind the other doctor would be there. I will say that by the end I had 3 different doctors in and out of my room because of possible emergency c-section and complications with my DD. At that point I didn't care which doctor was at the catching end. I was just happy with having a doctor that was upfront and clear with what I needed to do and have done for my daughter. I do recommened meeting other doctors to see if you possibly have a better connection with.
Before Thursday, he was the only doctor at this particular practice, and the only doctor I'd met. When he's away, he had partnership with a seperate practice who would fill in for him. His vacation was in July, and I saw my nurse practitioner during that time. He was certainly the one who would have delivered my bebe! I am looking into the practice he had an existing partnership with.
i am quite certain it has nothing to do with malpractice. my first thoughts told me it pertained to contract-issues. perhaps he wasn't getting paid enough. i was devastated! i cried so much that the nurses sent me in the back and didnt bother me until i regained myself! apparently there are two or three doctors now. i didnt start having my weekly appointments until 36 weeks, so that sounds about right that you won't meet them for another two weeks. i am just hoping i can find him before i pop this sucker out! i have opted to call dr. condorodis' office tomorrow. he and kurt froehlichs father had a partnership for a long time, and even now, dr. froehlich is very much associated with him. his office is in another montgomery location.
it is so unfortunate. froehlich is such a great doctor, and from day one i have been so excited to work through my pregnancy with him. he's something special and i will surely do whatever it takes to transfer to his new practice. is there any way we can keep in contact, to inform one another whether we've been successful in getting ahold of froehlich? my email is amidsomersnight@gmail.com.
what kind of dumbass puts pictures of their children on a public forum? just begging for creepsters.
I've been a patient of Dr Froehlich for years and am 34 weeks pregnant. I was freaking out too until I talked to a friend (who is also a patient of his and knows a few nurses at Bethesda North). She told me that he is STILL practicing. I called Bethesda North's Labor & Delivery and they confirmed this and gave me his number and encouraged me to contact him directly as he's hoping to maintain continuity of care with his patients, especially those who are pregnant. So, I called him yesterday and he told me that he is still practicing and delivering at Bethesda North and is in the final stages of setting up a new independent practice (not under the Tri-Health umbrella, which is why his former office is not allowed to give out his contact info and is not forthcoming with any info about him). He is currently seeing patients on Thursday evenings at Dr Bowen's office (his former partner before he became a part of Tri-Health) and starting next week his new practice should be up and running. Anyway, all that to say, I will be seeing him next week and wanted to pass along his contact info for anyone who wants to continue with him. His number is 312-7388.
Please go ahead and give him a call. He's still doing deliveries at Bethesda North for his patients who have managed to track him down. Like you, I was totally freaking out on the verge of tears until I managed to get in touch with him. It's so frustrating that his old office isn't being honest about the whole situation. They told my friend (who's also a patient) that he is no longer practicing which is completely not true. Anyway, good luck to you!
I really cannot thank you enough. My baby is forever indebted to you!
^Caleb^ - 4/13/08, stillborn at 33 weeks
^Angel 1^ - 9/2009, m/c at 4.5 weeks
Benjamin - 6/25/09, Happy and Healthy!!!
^Angel 2^ - 9/2010, m/c at 8 weeks
^Angel 3^ - 3/2011, m/c at 7.5 weeks
Nathaniel - 1/17/12, Happy and Healthy!!!
^Samuel^ - 7/11/13, m/c at 11 weeks
BFP - due 7/14/15, praying for a Happy and Healthy baby!!!
His new office should be open late next week for his pregnant patients
When I called to schedule an appointment at his new practice I asked him about insurance, and he said that he will still be accepting all types of insurance that he accepted previously, and that any problems he will smooth out himself. I, on the other hand, wasn't too fond of Cheryl Davis! She and I just didn't see eye-to-eye on...anything, and often times when I get a second opinion from Froehlich he and I were able to understand each other a lot better. I'm just glad he's up and running!
Hello. I actually stumbled upon your post bc I have the same Dr. as well and I got a letter in the mail today stating basically what you were told in the office. I really don't want to change Dr's either and I would be very upset if I was that pregnant & he went MIA on me without any explanation bc Froehlich is really a good dr. and it's different when you only see one Dr. the entire time as opposed to multiple Dr.'s, However, I did find another post that gave out some information on the situation and basically said that he is setting up an independent office soon. He is no longer with Tri-health but his new office number is 671-0600 and should be working next week. I had to set up an account for this community just to tell you, but I thought you would at least want to know and now you have his new number if you need it. Good luck!
https://www.kurtfroehlichmd.com/
Kurt W. Froehlich MD
Providing a broad range of Obstetrical and Gynecological services including minimally invasive robotic surgery.
140 West Kemper Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
(513)671-0600
We are in the process of moving office locations. We should have a new set up in the following week or so. If you have any questions, please call.
(513) 312-7388
Accepting New Patients.