Should I switch my OB

FishyMom · August 2014

I need some advice.. I'm not sure if I am over reacting, or if I should stay put.. So let me lay out my journey with my ob and you ladies tell me.

First I should start that I got pregnant with an RE. I loved her and I loved her staff. They were wonderful and I miss them tons!

I choose this OB because she delivers at my preferred hospital and she had very high ratings when I googled her.

So here are the issues...

1. I once had an appointment that I wait in the lobby for well over 1.5 hours to be seen for a scheduled appointment. They have not all been this way but this one was very bad and there was NO communication on why the wait was so long.

2. Her nurse is her mom and elderly (maybe 70) lady who I neither like or dislike.

3. They don't call with test results. I have only been called 1 with blood results and it was a week later than the test.

4. When they test my urine they don't ever tell me if things are ok.

5. I took my 1 hr glucose test on Thursday last week they told me it would be 24-48 hours (so Monday right), still no call. I called them at 9:30 this morning and spoke to someone and they said they would call back. It is 2 and still no call.

6. Sometime the doc makes me feel like she is rushed.

There are a couple on plus points and here they are..

1. She delivers at my hospital

2. I am guaranteed my doc, they always deliver their open patients

3. The doc is good and seems to answer my questions before I ask them.

So with that.. Is it too late to switch? Would you switch? Am I over reacting?

FishyMom · August 2014

I should also say I am just not sure what I should do and I will be talking with DH about it this afternoon.

soulcupcake · August 2014

If you're not comfortable with her, switch. I transferred to a new provider a few weeks ago. I've known mamas that switched at 36 weeks.

FishyMom · August 2014

@econosaurus I think the reason I feel it is relevant is because it is the docs mom and am worried that there is a bias and she is also the one who would should be calling with my results and providing the results of my urine. If I felt she was on the ball then I won't not have an issues with her age. I just wonder if she is able to keep up with the fast pace of the office. I might be wrong on that but I don't know for sure since I have only been called once.

absolutelymaybe · August 2014

It's fun coming from an RE experience to an OB experience, isn't it? I've learned that they are entirely different animals. RE's offices usually make you feel like special patients (because, face it, we've been through hell and that's why we are there). They are used to patients being informed and asking a million questions. OBs take care of pregnant women and deliver babies. A lot of them. Most of the patients are nowhere near as informed as an IF would be about their bodies and the entire process. In fact, judging people in the waiting room, sometimes I wonder if they even know how babies are made (kidding...sort of).

So, take deep breaths and relax. I think you might be overreacting.

1. I once had an appointment that I wait in the lobby for well over 1.5 hours to be seen for a scheduled appointment. They have not all been this way but this one was very bad and there was NO communication on why the wait was so long.

LOL. This is how it is at almost every one of my doctor's appointments. Seriously. It's annoying as hell. I have to plan 3 hours on the days I'm getting an ultrasound and seeing the doctor. My friend, who goes to another clinic in our area, says it is fairly common. I have to go up and ask them how long the wait is going to be and, depending on why they are running behind schedule, they may or may not be able to tell me.

2. Her nurse is her mom and elderly (maybe 70) lady who I neither like or dislike.

I don't see the problem here. I don't want to draw puffy hearts around the names of every nurse at my clinic. I'm neutral with them. Do you think she's competent in her job? If so, there's no problem.

3. They don't call with test results. I have only been called 1 with blood results and it was a week later than the test.

This is standard practice at many clinics. I know how it is being with an RE before where you are really informed on every little test and procedure, but I can tell you right now that OBs are usually a lot busier and don't have that attention to detail.

4. When they test my urine they don't ever tell me if things are ok.

If they're not OK, they will tell you. Once again, this is standard procedure. You know how long it would take to call every single patient with "normal" test results. I've learned that no news is good news. (Once again, I know -- as a former IF patient -- how hard it is to accept this).

5. I took my 1 hr glucose test on Thursday last week they told me it would be 24-48 hours (so Monday right), still no call. I called them at 9:30 this morning and spoke to someone and they said they would call back. It is 2 and still no call.

I haven't taken my glucose test, but I'm assuming if I passed they will not call me. If they say they are going to call you back later in the day, give them until close of business.

6. Sometime the doc makes me feel like she is rushed.

She probably is. It's your job to come prepared with all your questions and as long as she doesn't run out of the room before answering them, I don't see the problem. I'm not quite sure what you can expect of her

absolutelymaybe · August 2014

Just wanted to add that you may be able to find practices out there with shorter wait times, younger nurses that aren't related to the doctor, and OB that doesn't make you feel rushed, and a staff that may call you on every single test result (I'm not sure about this one)...but you are really far into your pregnancy right now. Unless you already know someone who fits this description, it would require shopping around and ---who knows--- you might find an OB/clinic that is worse in other ways. It is really a risk and I don't see the issues you listed above as serious enough offenses to warrant chancing it (at least I wouldn't).

FishyMom · August 2014

Thanks girls! I think @absolutleymaybe is probably right on her breakout.. I thought there was a possibility of this being the case, which is precisely why I asked. I know for sure I was definitely spoiled at my RE. I am sure I will just sit still where I am. I appreciate it very much!

absolutelymaybe · August 2014

@Ashris13 - REs get us so spoiled, don't they? Like I said, it's been a challenge not to question every little thing my doctor does/doesn't do/doesn't mention. At my first appointment with him (well, first appointment post pregnancy) I was like, "So, when are you going to check my cervix!?" And was worried if I was getting the right attention because he wasn't going to be checking it the entire pregnancy (even though I'm not at risk for any cervical problems). I had to teach myself to relax or else I was going to be very unhappy and stressed out the entire time.

Of course, if you truly do not trust your OB / practice, you should change. You need to be somewhere where you are comfortable. I didn't mean to totally play down your fears. Just from what you were describing, it seems like a common experience coming from an IF background.

FishyMom · August 2014

@absoultelymaybe honestly you did exactly what I needed someone to do. You and I are in the same position as far as going from and RE to an OB. The transition is so hard because REs really do spoil you and give you way more info than normal people need. If I truly felt I was not getting the treatment my baby or I deserved that I would've definitely left without even asking the question. But because I was unsure if my fears were unfounded I wanted an unbiased opinion, and I knew I would get honesty on here. I actually feel better knowing that my points are petty and that I should just learn the ways of an OB practice.

I really do appreciate your insight The time it took for you to respond!

I suppose I want to love OB, I have lots of friends who love their OB.. I just love my RE instead.

lil_shocker · August 2014

It looks like you got the answers you were looking for! I also wanted to add that if you know, barring any sort of emergency, that your OB will deliver your baby, that is pretty good. It is my impression that usually you get who is on call (I know I do) when you deliver, so I don't know who will be there to help.

In terms of the nurse, you may very likely have a different L&D nurse, and I loved mine more than the nurses at my midwives' office. Also, if you are a little worried about your rapport with the doc, I had a midwife that I didn't particularly like during prenatal appointments, but she did a fantastic job during delivery. At the office she was always a little rushed and hurried, but when I was in labor, it was n entirely different approach. She had all of the time in the world it seemed for my son to be born stayed late to make sure that she could get me through the birth, and I realized that dedication to making sure my baby comes out as healthy and as stress free as possible probably plays a part in the rushed feeling at the office because she has a million things to do.

Of course, if you are not comfortable with your provider, or if they are dropping the ball so to speak, you can test the waters at other places or with other providers. But I think that barring any of that, I would stay put. You may be pleasantly surprised come baby time.

ColtiersMom · August 2014

I'm a nurse at a dr's office and if you call at 9:30 for test results along with 30 other patients then it msy be the next day gefore we get back with you. Your dt is probably backed up and not able too see patients, take phone calls, answer faxes, and look up test results all at once. Also, no news is good news-that's the standard at most dr offices:)

BrittG13 · August 2014

I once called a doctor's office pre-pregnancy about an issue asking if I should come in. They answered, 'If you're worried enough to call, you should probably come in.'

So my advice is if you are worried enough to ask, something clearly isn't feeling right and you should switch. It is a bit late in the game but unless you're heels to Jesus in L&D it's not late.

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