So I have Kaiser Permanente insurance. For those who aren't familiar with Kaiser, they run differently than many other insurance companies. Specifically, all Kaiser doctors work in Kaiser facilities (called campuses) and follow Kaiser policies. As a patient you can choose which campus you prefer to use and switch between doctors at that campus if necessary, but that is all the say you have. All tests/labs/specialists etc are conducted at the campus as well, and if a service isn't available at one they will send you to another where it is. There are no out-of-network providers, and if you need a hospital you must only use Kaiser hospitals, which are also located on Kaiser campuses.
So, that being said, Kaiser has an interesting policy on OBs that I have recently learned. Specifically, your OB will almost never be the person who delivers your baby. Instead, the L&D has a rotating staff of OBs present, and whoever happens to be free when it's time for you to push is the person who catches your kid. The only way you will have the doctor who has been treating you through your whole pregnancy is if they happen to be doing a rotation that day and happen to be available at that moment.
Now, this will be my second child and I'm pretty calm about the process, but this still makes me a bit uncomfortable. If something were to go wrong, it would be much easier for me to feel confident taking advice from someone I know and trust than from a total stranger. I think I would be freaking out if this were my first kid.
I don't know, maybe it's just me. Thoughts?
Re: Weird Hospital Practices - Insurance Issue
I'm not overly concerned by it though.. Technically in the military you have a "primary care manager" with whom you're supposed to see for all routine stuff, but due to the sheer number of people they have to see, this rarely happens, and usually you see whoever is free. I'd be more bothered if I want so used to it .
After 40w4d, I only saw the delivering doc for about 30 minutes.
The person that catches the baby has very little involvement in the overall course of the pregnancy.
On the plus side, Kaiser has both docs and midwives available at all times, so that's pretty neat.
I have thought about hiring doula, but they're pretty expensive and my maternity leave will be cutting into my finances, so I'm not sure it's possible.
My practice also makes sure you see at least everyone at least once in the practice before you deliver. Ever since, it was decided I had to be a c-section this time, they have been keeping all my appts with Drs only and no midwives.
Same thing at a different practice and hospital with DS1 too. One OB at the office made the call for induction, another OB sectioned me, and then I was discharged by a 3rd pedi from the practice. I had my follow up appointments with the OB who did my c/s. It was all fine and it's really the nursing staff who makes or breaks your experience.
BFP - 01/04/2016; EDD - 09/15/2016 DS #1 - 07/2014