I feel like doctors dont care about me

JessicaDelSarto · June 2014

After trying for over 2 years, I am 8 weeks yesterday with our first. We are excited, scared and really want confirmation. My only "symptoms" are fatigue and mood swings like a teenage girl. I have experienced some brown light spotting in the past 2 weeks on and off. I called the obgyn to set up an apt when I was a week late. They set me up with a apt for a phone interview to gauge my risk level at over 9 weeks. I don't even see a doctor that day!! I called back and told them about the spotting and that I wanted to hurry the process along. They said without pain, it's normal and wait until my phone call. And that I will be seen "shortly" after that. Is it normal for a doctor office to dismiss your concerns and not even confirm a pregnancy if you ask? I got angry and tried to make an appointment with another doc and it was the same thing. Am I crazy or is this normal?

amiej1227 · June 2014

Not for sure where you are located but I have my first ob appointment tomorrow and I will be 8wks 4days. I had some spotting as well around 5weeks. My doctors had me go to the ER and then I did a follow up ultrasound a week later. Everything was fine for me I didn't get much out of the ER as they didn't tell me much. So your spotting might not be anything.

I'm sorry your going through this. Do you have any other doctor options to try? Good luck!

lbete · June 2014

Nope, I'd find another doc.
It's probably nothing but the phone interview alone would make me want to change doctors.

robsbabygirl08 · June 2014

I'm 11 weeks and will have my first appt tomorrow. I did see a nurse for spotting ( it lasted 2 weeks), but not a Dr. If you have an Rh- blood type I would mention it during your phone interview if you are still spotting. And yes, it's normal to not see a Dr right off the bat, but that doesn't mean it's not super frustrating. Good luck. I hope you get to see your peanut soon!!!

Cbeanz · June 2014

I've found that not all practices are created equal. With that said, what are you looking for exactly?

JessicaDelSarto · June 2014

Thank yall for the support. I am looking for confirmation. I had a miscarriage a long time ago and remember insane morning sickness, hunger and fatigue right off the bat. I have none of those symptoms and want to be sure i really am pregnant, not just missing my period.

JessicaDelSarto · June 2014

Correction, I am sleepy all the time, but I now go to work at 5 am. And have always loved sleep.

Latham12 · June 2014

Call and tell them you want a confirmation blood test asap

mpiemont · June 2014

Did you take a pregnancy test (or a few) at home? Rarely are they wrong if they are positive. I have seen 2 different OBs for my 2 pregnancies and neither of them wanted to see me until after the 8-9 week mark. I wasn't brought in early for betas or to confirm the pregnancy or anything. I spoke to a nurse on the phone early on with my first pregnancy to review do's & dont's, etc. I hope you can find a doctor that makes you feel comfortable.

bunchiemarie · June 2014

If no luck with OB, your regular PCP might be willing to see you and at least order an hcg level? I still haven't had my first appt but when I had spotting I got labs an and u/s.

Maebb · June 2014

My OB's policy is that the first appointment is around 6 weeks, and then if you've had a miscarriage they do some blood tests, and my doctor said I could choose to come in every 2 weeks or 4 weeks after that.

If you feel like your doctor is not handling your concerns or requests appropriately, I would look for a different doctor. Make sure they know that you've had a miscarriage before.

mikeANDjen448 · June 2014

Here are my thoughts: unless you have had multiple losses and your doc knows about them, generally new OB patients aren't seen until 8-12 weeks. My friend never had any losses and her OB didn't make her first appt until after 12 weeks. Which I personally think is absurd because the first trimester is so important and even if just a consult and no u/s is done at least one could discuss what should happen in the first trimester. Now- I had multiple losses and infertility so I had multiple u/s and beta testing with DD and this time I've had betas drawn but my first appt isn't until tomorrow.

JessicaDelSarto · June 2014

I feel a lot better. Thank you. I have seen on some other forums that people are getting seen very early and it freaked me out. And I took a ton of home tests, all positive. THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH

Cbeanz · June 2014

I second asking your PCP for a blood test for peace of mind. Good luck!!!

Vanval10 · June 2014

I would try finding another doctor. As far as my experience it is definitely not normal for a doctor to ignore your concern.
I had some spotting at the beginning of this pregnancy and the doctor got me in as soon as they could. They also reassured me that it's very normal in the first trimester, and that as long as it's not bright red, a heavy flow, and there's no clots to take it easy and try not to worry, because that could be bad for baby in itself.
At about 8w 3d I found blood one night when I went to the restroom and that was bright red. It was late so I had to wait til the morning to call my doctor, but when I did they scheduled me to go in right away to go get checked. By the morning the spotting was brownish and she said that means old blood so it's nothing to worry about. She did say that if you are concerned and bleeding it is important to be seen not just for peace of mind but to keep baby healthy. Everything was fine with the baby, and she said that since the placenta is growing faster that that could be why.
So it might probably isn't anything abnormal, but I think your doctor should take your concerns a bit more seriously. Whether or not you're a first time pregnancy or not. No matter what though, I hope you have a happy and healthy nine months!
Sorry, long detailed post.

aprilrose83 · June 2014

If it was me, I'd be looking for a new doc. If you've had a previous miscarriage and it took quite a while to get pregnant, my doc would say "we got you pregnant, now we have to keep you pregnant". The least they could do is an initial appt to confirm pregnancy and while they're at it check some hormone levels. You deserve peace of mind.

thompnia · June 2014

I was able to get a viability u/s scheduled without an appointment to see my doctor when I explained that I needed to disclose to work ASAP because I work with teratagenic chemicals the u/s showed I was 7w2d and I dont see my doc until 13w2d (almost two weeks from now.)

AggieMom0809 · June 2014

Find a new Dr. It could also be your insurance though. Mine doesn't actually see you until you go see the PA and the office for a "confirmation" appointment and do blood work. I won't hear until Friday if I can schedule my first real appointment which will be an us

Beauxbaton · June 2014

The practice I go to doesn't schedule appointments till 8 weeks. But if you have any bleeding they generally do an ultrasound. If you feel like the clinic isnt a good fit, or that they will be like this the whole pregnancy then find a new doc.

alibc123 · June 2014

Personally I would find a different dr.

hamlett17 · June 2014

My dr always brought me in if I had concerns. They are super helpful. If I were in your shoes I would totally find a new doc.

bunchiemarie · June 2014

@ICarriedAWatermelon‌ -- I know, it may not tell her much. But all she's asking is for a medical professional to confirm her pregnancy and that she have someone responsive to call when she's having concerns. Most PCPs would do the first part but an OB's office who won't make arrangements for an anxious pt w/hx of loss and spotting? I think that's odd.

Pips09 · June 2014

It's very normal for your OB to not see you until the end of the first trimester if you have no risk factors. The confirmation is the positive pregnancy test.

That being said, if you are truly unhappy with your doctors office, feel free to find another. They may have the same policies, though.

AggieMom0809 · June 2014

ICarriedAWatermelon said:

To play devil's advocate, bc I see a lot of women recommending going in for a blood draw for peace of mind... What exactly would that tell OP that a positive pregnancy test would not? Levels do not strictly correlate with how far along in pregnancy you are. A single level does not tell you if you're miscarrying. Otherwise, I agree to find a dr you are comfortable with.

Just one round may not tell you if you are going to have a mc, but they can tell is it looks abnormal and should be done again to see if it's going up or down. I was told about my first two mcs based on the blood work then confirmed by the us. It really depends on insurance, but I only paid $10 for my confirmation visit that included all blood work, the peeing in a cup, and talking to the PA

Cbeanz · June 2014

Hcg tests were an early indication that I had an ectopic. I had no history of miscarriage or ectopic and hadn't undergone fertility treatments. I'm fortunate to have a Dr who ordered those tests.

Healthy rising hcg can give some peace of mind.

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