What do your appoint. look like?

amandasvids · September 2013

I am a FTM and I am seeing a team of doctors at a practice. One of these doctors will be the doctor on call for Birth Day. It all will depend who is in rotation at that time. After talking with several friends I am kicking myself for not going with a midwife due to the fact that I feel like I am missing out on the quality of care and relationship with the doctor who will deliver my baby. I just kinda went where my insurance led me. My last couple of appointments I waited over a half an hour only to see the doctor for a total of three minutes. I wish I was exaggerating. Before the appointment the nurse took my blood pressure and weighed me. When the doctor came in the room she listened to the heartbeat for a minute total, said everything sounded good and that she would see me in two weeks as long as I had no specific questions for her. I was so put on the spot and really did not have any specific questions so I said no. Boom. Appointment done.

Now it's not like I want or expect a dragged out appointment and I understand that time is money, but I just feel very rushed when I see my doctor.

At thirty weeks I thought that we would be discussing a birth plan or maybe even measuring my belly? Am I expecting to much or am I missing out? I am not sure. What do your typical appointments look like at this stage in the game and what kind of dailog do you have with your doctor/midwife?

JaysonandKristin · September 2013

Your birth plan is for when you're in labor. If you have questions about what a doc thinks of line items in your birth plan, by all means, ask!! It's best, if you feel rushed as a result of your doc's pace, to write down any questions as they arise in between appts and bring that list of questions to your appointments.

Nowadays, we're hearing HB, doing fundal height measurements and discussing upcoming birth options. I have a weird situation, though -- my first had a serious birth defect, my second was macrosomic, I've had polyhydramnios during all 3 pregnancies, and I'm trying for a VBA2C. There's always something to discuss at my appointments.

lamo1210 · September 2013

I felt this way to. So every time I think of a question no matter now dumb I write it in my phone so I can ask it when I'm there. I have 3 drs, 1 is brand new! Only had 1 appt with her and she has become my fav. Too bad I can't pick who I want, then again I am told the dr comes in once in a while to check on you but really comes in for you to push then is gone.

isacdimi10 · September 2013

With my older kids that's exactly what my appointments were like, waiting an all. It was the same at both practices I went to.
I'm now considered very high risk so I have a million appts that are all very long because we always have something to talk about.

fluttergirlmoonchild79 · September 2013

I agree with PP, if you have questions, you need to ask. I come up with random questions in between appointments and I write them down (well put them in my phone because it's easier) and when it's time to ask questions, I ask questions. Up until last week I hadn't seen my actual doctor since week 12 (he was on vacation twice and family emergency once). While I prefer to see my regular OB (like PP, I have special circumstances), my appointments don't consist of much (weight, BP, Doppler, measurement, questions, done). When I was in labor with DS there was a different OB on call that night. I had her all night and she was fine and then DS decided to wait until my regular OB's shift to actually be born.

Jennybabe0706 · September 2013

I feel the same way, so don't feel bad! My practice Is very large, I see a different doctor or midwife each time I go, and end up waiting forever just to see the doctor for a few minutes. That being said, I really try to make the most of my few minutes. I always head in with a list of questions for the doctor or midwife I see. We ended up hiring a doula so that I had someone who knew me and my pregnancy but that was just for my own comfort. Good luck!

brandeeteer · September 2013

Your appointment sounds just like mine - I go to a practice that has 6 doctors and 2 midwives. I see whoever when I go. They do measure the fundal height but keep telling me it's only for a ballpark - not very accurate and not too much to worry about when it's measuring off. As a third time mom, I don't really care about the birth plan - just get him out - but if it's important to you then ask. As PP said, bring questions with you. If you frequent these boards you probably see things that you have questions about. Write them down and don't be afraid to ask, that's what the doctor is there for.

justmepreggo2020 · September 2013

My appointment looks like this:

Nurses:
- Weight
- Urine Sample
- Blood Pressure

Obgyn:
- measuring fundal height
- checking position of baby
- heartbeat of baby
- asking about new symptoms such as swelling, pains, vaginal discharge, etc.
And if I have any questions for him

Happens all fairly quick though

amandasvids · September 2013

Thanks for all the input! I have not had fundal height or position of the baby checked and I am curious so I will speak up about that next visit. And keeping a list of questions on my phone is a great idea. I go in with intentions of asking questions, but often lose all thought once I am in there. Having something to reference will help.

Sounds like I am not missing much, which is reassuring. I think I panicked a bit when a coworker told me her appointments with her midwife were almost a half hour and they discussed all sorts of things. Feeling much better knowing that is the exception not the norm.

GopherBaby13 · September 2013

justMaike said:
My appointment looks like this:

Nurses:
- Weight
- Urine Sample
- Blood Pressure

Obgyn:
- measuring fundal height
- checking position of baby
- heartbeat of baby
- asking about new symptoms such as swelling, pains, vaginal discharge, etc.
And if I have any questions for him

Happens all fairly quick though

This is how mine work as well.

wendy2613 · September 2013

My appointment looks like this: Nurses: - Weight - Urine Sample - Blood Pressure Obgyn: - measuring fundal height - checking position of baby - heartbeat of baby - asking about new symptoms such as swelling, pains, vaginal discharge, etc. And if I have any questions for him Happens all fairly quick though
This is how my appts go too. I'm usually inly with the Dr. About 3-5 minutes. But usually have aabout a 30 minute wait.

dobrydney · September 2013

Your appointment sounds pretty standard to me! The nurse does blood pressure, I pee in a cup for her, she usually does the heartbeat and asks if I have questions. The Dr. comes in and measures my belly, asks how I'm feeling and asks if I have questions. If I don't have questions I'm probably out of there in 5 minutes. I think you should start keeping track of questions so when they ask you, you aren't searching--you have them right there!

heritten · September 2013

If you don't like your doctor it is not too late to change! I have only seen my one doctor the whole time, and she has assured me repeatedly she will be the one delivering my baby, and no she is not going out of town for Thanksgiving (a valid concern for someone with a Nov 20th due date). I do wait forever for my appointments (usually they are running behind, even though my latest in the day appointment has been 10 am).

justMaike said:

My appointment looks like this: Nurses: - Weight - Urine Sample - Blood Pressure Obgyn: - measuring fundal height - checking position of baby - heartbeat of baby - asking about new symptoms such as swelling, pains, vaginal discharge, etc. And if I have any questions for him Happens all fairly quick though

Id have to ditto this as well except I have never had a fundal height measurement/check position because baby has a single uterine artery in her umbilical cord instead of two, so we get medically necessary ultrasounds every visit to check umbilical blood flow. I don't know if that's the reason I always get to see my doctor, the lady scheduling doesn't appear to know anything about my case file when making my next appointment....

alatham · September 2013

My appointments are basically like that too. I check in, wait around to be called, pee in cup, blood pressure and weight then I go sit back down. Once I'm called again, I go into the room, my doc comes in and she listens to the heartbeat, and measures my belly. She asks how I'm feeling and that's about it. Now that we are nearing the end, the last appointment I had was a few minutes longer in choosing a C-section date. Because I will be exactly 39 weeks on October 30, she asked me if I wanted to have my C-section that date or if I wanted to wait until Halloween. I'm having a healthy pregnancy thus far so she told me she didn't want to see me for three weeks after that. My next appointment will be on September 30th where I'll hopefully have the time scheduled for my surgery and we'll have our quick appointment.

Like you, my previous office had a bunch of doctors in the practice. It sucked not REALLY getting to know the doctors throughout the pregnancy because they suggested you see every one of them so that you wouldn't be surprised during delivery. Turned out for me that once I went into labor with my first, the doc that was there was the only doc I hadn't met. It is true that you don't see the doctor a whole lot during labor. I had nurses the entire time, even when I began pushing. My doc didn't come in until I was 2.5 hours into pushing. At that point he watched for a while and instructed me what to do until he gave his final opinion that baby was not going to make a debut that way and we needed to move to a C-section. I'm thankful of that decision because my DD had a brain bleed, seizures, etc. right after birth and spent weeks in the NICU.

YIKES! Sorry that ended up being so long.

Ninjamama86 · September 2013

Ya my OB appts are pretty boring. Luckily my appts usually start on time, but including vital signs, urine, and a quick US to look at the LO we're in and out in less than 15 minutes. I think as long as you're having a normal, uncomplicated birth, there isn't much else that needs to be done. The birth plan you can go over on your own. I think a lot of women put too much focus on the doctor - really, if everything goes smoothly and you deliver vaginally, he/she isn't going to do anything but catch! You're doing all the work.

michrocc · September 2013

I'm very lucky in that I see the same OB and nurse at every appointment, and I've met (and like) the only other OB who would deliver in the event that my OB isn't available (practice with only two docs). We have a great relationship with our OB, and the nurses and reception staff are awesome, too. I'm delivering at a major university hospital with a team of midwives on the floor who check in with all patients, which is nice, too.

That said, my appointments sound a lot like yours. I get weighed, get my BP checked, pee in a cup, they check my fundal height, baby's heartbeat, we go over what next appointment will be and/or any tests on the horizon, and they give me a chance to ask questions. Luckily when I do have questions they take time to answer them. We've never felt hurried out the door.

ranaverde · September 2013

I'm with a group of midwives, and which midwife I see varies, but the routine's basically the same for all of them.

I pee in a cup and weigh myself, then the assistant takes my pulse and blood pressure. The midwife comes in, asks how I've been and if I have any questions (I write them down so I don't forget them - and I usually remember something else while I'm there, in addition). Then she measures my uterus, and we listen to the heartbeat on the Doppler.

One thing that's really nice about the practice is that they give you a little fold-up booklet in which they write down all the measurements and upcoming procedures (like scans or vaccinations) to carry with you in your wallet. It also has their emergency contact info in it.

sands42 · September 2013

I see the same doctor every time. There are a few in the practice. He doesn't spend much time with me- but he doesn't really need to at this point. He always asks if I have questions... if I do I write them down beforehand so I don't forget. I randomly picked this guy because I had just moved, but I am extremely happy with him.

They should start measuring your belly by now it seems like! I hate going every two weeks because it such a quick visit, but yeah. I think most visits are short & sweet unless problems arise.

babymama619 · September 2013

I think I might feel rushed if u wasn't going to my appointments prepared. I always have questions for them in mind. Even questions that are far out I will ask. At my last appointment, 30 weeks, we talked about laboring down and episiotomies. As well as other things. Honestly if everything is good there really isn't much to talk about. My practice is big too but I've mostly seen the same few doctors. Honestly when it's time to push I don't think I'll care who is down there even if we haven't met. My coach and the nurses with advocate for me if its a doctor that doesn't know where I stand on things. However I'm not hoping for anything too "out there" if you know what I mean.

smhiles · September 2013

babymama619 said:

I think I might feel rushed if u wasn't going to my appointments prepared. I always have questions for them in mind. Even questions that are far out I will ask. At my last appointment, 30 weeks, we talked about laboring down and episiotomies. As well as other things. Honestly if everything is good there really isn't much to talk about. My practice is big too but I've mostly seen the same few doctors. Honestly when it's time to push I don't think I'll care who is down there even if we haven't met. My coach and the nurses with advocate for me if its a doctor that doesn't know where I stand on things. However I'm not hoping for anything too "out there" if you know what I mean.

This. And, not to sound at all insensitive, what do you want the doctor to do? I'm not being sarcastic, but what aren't they doing that you want them to do? Frankly, I'm glad to get and get out. I go to a similar kind of practice and though I've met every doctor, they all seem knowledgeable and nice enough. But, it's not like we're going to get together for dinner or anything

All I want to know is, can you get the baby out safely? And, I'm going to guess that if they are a doctor in this practice, which I hold in high regard, the answer is yes! I've been blessed with an easy pregnancy, I'd rather they do what they need to do and get into the rooms with the women who need more time. THAT BEING SAID, yes, as other posters said, jot down questions. My mind certainly blanks once I'm in there!

inlove0509 · September 2013

I was around 30 weeks with my first pregnancy when I switched from an OB to a midwife. It was super easy!! It's not too late. It sounds like your OB- or one in the practice- will just "catch" the baby. I didn't like how detached and rushed my OB appts were, and I now love how my midwife chats with me for a few minutes each appt and for my delivery she kept checking in on me and encouraging me and was so relaxed.

hollowway · September 2013

Your appointments seem pretty normal. I go to a practice where there are 3 midwives. I see all three. So its not just OBs that have multiple drs, and whoever is on rotation when I go into labor is who will deliver my baby.

The nurse takes my weight, BP and checks my urine. The midwife comes in and checks the heartbeat,measures my belly, asks me if there's any questions or concerns and then its over.

OBs and MWs are there to make sure our pregnancies are healthy. Not to cuddle us and spend an hour talking with us. If you're having a normal and healthy pregnancy, there's really no reason for your OB to see you longer than 5-10 minutes.

RavenandJosh · September 2013

I pretty much walk in and check in, sit there for 30 mins waiting to get called back. Once I'm back, they take my urine sample, check my weight and blood pressure and stick me in an exam room. I again wait forever (like 10-15 mins) for the doctor. There are 4 doctors in the practice that I go to, so I wind up seeing whoever is on rotation for that day. Once the doctor is there, he/she checks HB, fundal height, and tells me that they will see me in 2 weeks. I almost have to yell out after them as they are going out the door is I do actually have a question about anything. As far as talking about a birth plan, I don't really do that. As a STM, my plan is whatever goes...goes. You will learn the first time around that you HAVE to be flexible on this subject or you will leave the hospital a very disappointed new mommy.

lafsalot · September 2013

You can't request which doctor you see and who delivers? The appt sounds standard to me. Mine are brief but I know my doctor outside of being my doctor and so we always chat during my appt. I would have found another doc if I wouldn't know who would deliver. I even asked specifically about the doctor who would assist being the other doctor who I am friends with in the practice. There are 2 new women docs in the office but I haven't met either one of them. I specifically asked if my doc would be there when I was due and if my preferred assist doc was available. I interviewed my OB/gyn before I started with this office after my last one moved and have been very pleased.

bethp75 · September 2013

I have go to a practice similar to you, but I do not have to wait more then 5 minutes to get into a room. Then after the nurse does all her stuff, I wait no more then 15 minutes or so.
But, you do have to be your own advocate. If there is stuff you want to discuss. Ask!! My doctors will answer any question and does not make us feel rushed. But, if we don't ask any questions. The appointment is over. If they are rude and rush you when you have questions. I would go to a different practice. Even if you are 30 weeks.
Just my thought.

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