Breaking up with my OBGYN at 8 wks?

jenz5729 · September 2013

So I'm feeling a little uneasy about my OBGYN... it started back at the beginning of the year when she put me on birth control pills I didn't want to be on. Low ad behold, I'm pregnant! (which is a pleasant surprise, don't get me wrong). Here are my current conerns.. can I get some advice on whether I'm rightfully concerned or crazy?

1 It took 3 weeks for them to schedule me for my first appointment after my positive test, which seemed like an eternity tome

2 At my appointment, I had some optional blood testing done for CF and thyroid as well as the normal... the lady who ordered the bloodwork told me that if I didn't hear back by Wednesday to call and check because she wanted a scan to see how far I was and needed to mke sure my hcg levels were high enough... Wednesday came, and I didn't hear.. so I called an the girl on the phone literally said

"Yeah, we have your results.. what do you want to know?"

"Well.. first.. am I pregnant?" .. it was pretty much downhill from there.. she seemed skeptical that I needed a scan, but reluctantly scheduled one in 2weeks, which is one week before my 10wk dr apt

and 3 when should I actually see my dr? by the time I go next Tuesday, it'll be my second trip without actually seeing my dr. Also, shes pregnant and expecting in November so for about a month I'll have a different doctor. Should I be concerned abut that?

This is my first pregnancy, so I'm not sure if these are jitters or concerns? Thanks!

catnip4632 · September 2013

If your not comfortable, absolutely do it. I will be around my 8 week mark when I switch also.

rlmanning · September 2013

I switched at 8 weeks also. I would definitely switch if you are not comfortable or do not feel you are getting the detailed attention you want.

Sisimama10 · September 2013

If you feel uneasy change doctors! In my opinion it really doesn't matter if your concerns are legit or not- it's all about how you feel! As a patient you are a client and if they aren't living up to your standards then switch! My friend just switched at 22 weeks, so better early than late! If their practice has a horrible bedside manner and interactions with you then in my opinion that's not who you want taking care of you at your most vulnerable. You don't need more stress go somewhere that makes you happy! Find your local forum and ask for suggestions of good ob/gyno or call the hospital you want to deliver at and ask for their referral person.

LittleLady77 · September 2013

You are paying out the nose for a dr. Find one you like!

thomas930 · September 2013

I you are really not liking the practice then change....its never to late to find a place you like better.

As for some of your issues:

1. totally normal to not have your first appointment until sometime between 8-12 weeks unless you are deemed high risk.

2. early u/s are usually only given if you have a previous medical history like IVF/IUI or miscarriage, some practices will also so them for dating purposes. As for the nurse being rude, you can always say something to the doctor to let them know how you were treated.

3. You've only been in to have things done that can be done by a nurse or an u/s tech so I don't see a problem with having not seen the actual doctor yet.

I guess that personal preference as far as the doctor being out for maternity leave. I will be seen by 4 different midwives since I don't know who will be on call the at the time I go into labor.

Mustardseed2007 · September 2013

aronie82 said:

1.) The scheduling is totally normal. I had to wait 5 weeks. It drove me crazy too, but it's not as bad as some others.

2.) That's bad customer service, and not good etiquette but if everything was normal I can see their confusion. Every OB/GYN i've seen has operated on the no news is good news policy.

3.) That's personal preference. There are several Dr.s at the practice I go to. I like most of them.

I agree with all of this. But if you are nervous, I think you should see about checking out another doctor sooner rather than later. It's easier to switch the earlier you are.

snmetz7 · September 2013

first and foremost if you are uncomfortable then switch drs. it doesnt matter if they are doing everything right if you dont like them move on.

as for your spec concerns. 1. its typical for drs to wait until about week 8 to see you. so my first appt was actually a month after my bfp and it does feel like forever but thats normal.

2. this one is a little strange but maybe you just got a meanie in the office. and may be reason enough to change.

3. again drs dont usually see you until at least 8 weeks so not seeing your dr before 10 w doesnt seem strange if your first appt was just a bloodwork and logistics appt. do they do u/s in the office or are you being sent for one somewhere else?

DaisyJanie · September 2013

I switched providers last time around, it was no problem. I just made an appointment at the new place and asked the office at the old place to send over my file.

The scheduling thing is normal, though. Nobody sees you before 8 weeks unless you have some kind of issue before than, or have had a loss in the past.

smashton14th · September 2013

With my first pregnancy i went to a new doctor at 15 weeks. I changed because he did not deliver at the hospital i wanted to go to.
This time around i am waiting for my insurance company to cover a birth center, so i just made an appointment with a midwife at a doctors office.
I am like you and do not like having a different doctor. I would prefer just one. Do what you feel is comfortable. Doctors always have new patients and patients leave so do not feel bad!

RayRay007 · September 2013

Well, if you don't like them switch. But as for your concerns, I don't think they're that concerning.

1- did they take three weeks to get back to you or was your appointment 3 weeks from when you called? It is common not to be seen before 8-12 weeks.

2- a shitty receptionist/nurse isn't the end of the world. If it was a different girl than the first, she probably didn't know what the first told you.

3- I didn't see my MW until 15 weeks last pg. This time I was lucky to get in at 9 wks. If there are no concerns, there isn't much need to see a dr for several weeks.

amhah09 · September 2013

If you're not comfortable with the practice then find another one.

That being said, I don't think your scheduling issues are out of the ordinary. Most women don't have their first appointment until around 8 weeks and they usually see the nurse at that time. Typically you don't see the doctor/midwife until the next appointment which is usually 4 weeks after that. And an ultrasound isn't usually necessary.

There are practices that will get you in earlier for teaching and a dating ultrasound (the midwife I see now does this, but it was not standard at my other practice where I had my two other children and my miscarriage). But it's not usually necessary.

I would have been upset about not hearing about your results and the lady you spoke with didn't have very good bedside manner, but I don't think they usually do call unless there are abnormalities.

Marusika · September 2013

I did that at 7 weeks

Jonemeli · September 2013

Go with your gut feeling. In my experience, it's usually right.

GoldenGibson · September 2013

I agree with the others, go with your gut! Even though it was just a receptionist that was rude this is likely someone you will be dealing with for the next 9 months and you don't need any extra stress right now. I think the staff is a reflection of the type of practice they are running and if you don't like them that is reason enough to switch and now is the time!

ichamommy · September 2013

I don't think the birth control pills or you getting pregnant on them has anything to do with your dr. And as for #1, I don't think 3 weeks is an unacceptable amount of time to wait for a first appt. At my last PAP, I asked my dr what to expect when I get my BFP. She said they usually do the first appt between 8-10 weeks unless you are a nervous nelly like some patients that expect to be seen at 6 weeks. I don't think it's unreasonable to wait 3 weeks for your first OB appt.

The receptionist sounds like she has no bedside manner, but that's no reason to leave your OB, especially if she will be going through the exact same thing as you 5 months before. That experience would be awesome.

Embeans · September 2013

If you are uncomfortable with your doctor you should switch ASAP. Your pregnancy should be a special time and you should be able to have a nice experience with your doctor of choice

good luck to you.

jgallegos · September 2013

I switched at 7 weeks because my OB. Just made me feel uneasy. I met my new OB today and I absolutely LOVE him meh is going to be perfect. Don't be scared to switch you should enjoy every second of your pregnancy.

cfthoct292011 · September 2013

If you feel that way drop her!!!!!! i wish i had done that with my last one sooner i had different docs all the time. One told me i had leg pains when i was pregnant because i was obese but the baby was on my neeve. They ignored HIPPA and were very disrespectful. One of them even made me cry after i found out i was gonna lose the baby making me feel like it was my fault. Then they told me i might have cancer and put me on BC pills and i had bloodwork every week. When i went to my new OBGYN i found out they were just assuming they never saw my pathology report. ( Turns out i was perfectly fine) So trust me if it starts out bad itll get worse. Some doctors just don't care and arent professional.

Lovelife14 · September 2013

I switched practices at 20 weeks last time, and I am so glad that I changed. I say do it.

ream02 · September 2013

I agree with OP. If you don't feel comfortable switch. You are paying for their services. Not the other way around.

I switched before I got my BFP with my DS because the OB wanted to send me directly to IVF the first time I met her because infertility was out of her expertise and I had been trying over 6 months and was over 35. Her recommendation was made without even doing any tests what-so-ever to check hormones or thyroid or anything else to see what was causing me to have long irregular cycles for so long post BCP. I got pg just over a month after that appointment on my own. Take that biotch!! lol

Enami · September 2013

I'm switching, only because my gyno doesn't do obstetrics. It's not a big deal, and you need to be comfortable with the person that's monitoring you and the baby. They'll be all up in your goodies, and you want to feel ok with that.

LaurenC109 · September 2013

That seems pretty typical of most Obs, and the fact that she is giving birth in November does not bother me because it's not near our due month, but if you feel uncomfortable you definitely should switch. Do what is best for you. This experience should be made as least stressful as possible.

JessicaDanielle0910 · September 2013

While that seems very typical, I personally would change. I spent the first 16 weeks of my pregnancy with DS at a very large practice with 11 physicians, I never saw the same doctor twice, I never saw the same nurse twice, I never felt comfortable, and finally I broke down and changed. They were wonderful as far as care went, but I felt very uncomfortable that I had yet to meet the doctor that would deliver my first born child. I don't want to introduce myself to a new doctor every time I go in for an appointment, and when the time comes to give birth to my child I don't want to shake the hand of yet another new OB and then have a stranger deliver my child. I ultimately found a very small practice, with wonderful family oriented staff and fell in love. This was all personal preference, but I'm very glad that I made the decision I did.

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