Any advice for switching OBs?

pblge · September 2014

Some of you may remember my weird OB experience. Short version is that the clinic is a bad fit for me (multiple nurses have now asked me what I mean when I say "IVF"), but I really liked my OB so we stuck around a few weeks. I do think we want to switch (probably after the NT scan), but we're frustrated by the process. I don't understand how it is that people don't interview their OBs in advance! Apparently that's not done, so we're left to decide by asking the nurse, receptionist, or office manager, if we're lucky, just a few key questions.

Does anyone have advice on those questions? It's such a commitment to change, as you have to transfer all the records and go through the lengthy new patient process. So far we've have the following, after determining that they're taking new patients and are in network:
1. C-section rate, or attitudes towards C-sections if rate isn't available.
2. Proportion of clients coming from infertility treatments.
3. Policies/attitudes around doulas.

Anything else I should be asking?

Lady2010 · September 2014

Sorry to hear that you are still not happy with your OB. It is definitely tough. I am not thrilled with our OB/Midwife but it is an acceptable level so we aren't switching. Things I would ask / try to find out:

- will the OB deliver your baby or will it be whomever is on call? If the latter, ask how many OBs are on call, if you will have the opportunity to meet them, etc

- who will you see at your appts? (my practice tries to have you see mostly the nurse-midwife, however given our fertility struggles, they are ok with my alternating - seeing the OB and the midwife every other visit. The staff has not been informed, but when I schedule my appts, I just let them know that this is what the Dr. and I agreed to and they schedule accordingly.

- I am sure this is included in your list but since you didn't mention it - what hospital would you deliver at?

- what is the episiotomy rate?

- if it is something important to you - how do they feel about a natural childbirth/unmedicated/hypnobirthing, etc.

Good luck!

Ecarabeo217 · September 2014

All of the above....I'm an OB, and I think all these questions are important to know....especially about who will deliver, coverage, etc. One of the best pieces of advice I can offer about getting suggestions for an OB is to call the labor and delivery department of the hospital you'd like to deliver at. Ask the secretary or the charge nurse who they would recommend. They deal with the docs all the time and know what their styles are. They will not be trying to "sell" you anyone because they have no vested interest in who you see, so they are bound to be the most honest. Good luck!

WA1215 · September 2014

I'm sorry you've had a bad experience. I too had a horrible OB experience (that practice was new to me since I only have a GYN). Surprisingly, they were recommended by my RE. Anyway, I went once and as we left I said I would never go back there. I asked around for recs for a new OB, and found one I like now. It's so stressful I know. Just go prepared with your questions written down so you don't forget. Good luck!

MissEm15 · September 2014

I switched OB's around 14w.. I didn't get to "interview" any OB's. I found a local twin mom's FB group & joined. I asked them who they recommended & went w/ the majority vote. It ended up great. I actually feel like they care about me and the babies.

As far as questions.. I'm not good at that. All I wanted to make sure was that each doctor had a lot of experience w/ twin delivery & that I could try to deliver vaginal (if baby A head down). I'm also exclusively seeing a high risk practice, so I know they know what they are doing. One question I do want to ask now.. is how long they typically give you to recover after delivery. I know at my work I only get leave for the amount of time a doctor says I need (like a doctor's note basically).

intheplanningstage · September 2014

Are you on facebook? When I was looking into high risk specialist I posted something about looking for recommendations and I got a great list of great drs and not so great. I guess that only works if the fb world knows about the baby though

AMShark · September 2014

I always get advice on choosing doctors from my mother. She was an RN at the ER of my local hospital for 40+ years, and now she works at the woman's imaging center (that's her idea of retirement).

Do you have any trusted friends or family that work at your local hospital?

dp21 · September 2014

I got my list of midwives and OBs from my friend who is an L&D nurse that works at the hospital I plan to deliver it and I love my OB.

pblge · October 2014

Thanks, ladies! Unfortunately, we moved to this city only three years ago, and I was assiduously avoiding moms for 2.5 of those years, so I don't have a good circle of friends who gave birth here. We're also not going to be "out" on Facebook for a long time. I did follow @Ecarabeo217's advice about calling the hospital, and the woman seemed pleased to be asked the question. She was careful not to give me strong endorsements about any particular practice, but she recommended a few good ones and there were some conspicuous absences from her list, such as one of the biggest OB practices in the city that exclusively deliver at that hospital. I decided that was an intentional omission, so we think we have a new OB selected. The best part is that they're walking distance from my house, although I'm unlikely to be doing the walk very often once winter hits. Another possible endorsement for this practice was that they didn't have a slot for me for the NT scan in the next two weeks (too many happy clients, as opposed to another that offered me several open appointments), so we're going to continue with the OB we have until the follow-up from the NT, then switch.

I was also sad that not a single one of them could tell me their C-section of episiotomy rates, and some seemed confused about why I would even ask. The "chosen" practice did give a mini lecture about how they try to avoid c-sections unless absolutely necessary, which appealed to me.

Thanks for all the help!

pblge · October 2014

PS. I don't know why I wrote this as though I did most of the calling, when OH was really in charge of them. I did some, but he did more. Huzzah for my hubby!

Ecarabeo217 · October 2014

Yay! Happy you got some recommendations! Best of luck!

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