When did you meet your doctor?

lish_tish · October 2014

I am a little over 20 weeks pregnant and have had visits with the nurse practitioners in my doctors office, but still haven't been seen by the actual doctor. Is this strange? With my first pregnancy (in a different city) I was seen at all my visits by my actual doctor.

TeeJ526 · October 2014

I've never heard of that before. I was seen by a nurse for my 8 week appointment for bloodwork and paperwork, but every other visit afterwards, I've been seen by my OB, another OB in the practice or a midwife.

peeppeeppeep · October 2014

That does sound odd. Standard at my clinic is 8 weeks for first OB doc appt. I had an early loss right before my BFP and so I was seen by the doctor at 5 weeks at my request.

lish_tish · October 2014

Thanks for the replies, my gut is telling me it's strange. Especially since I miscarried a few months back and experienced spotting between weeks 8 and 12. I thought the actual doctor would follow me a little closer due to that but that wasn't the case. Now I'm wondering if I should jump ship before it's too late...

PeanettyGoodness · October 2014

I go to a practice that is led by two OBGYNs and they each have a team of residents under them. I only met the doctor of the team I chose once and that was only when I was in the hospital and they wanted her opinion on something. But, other than that, I am seen by nurses and see a different resident every appointment, as one of them will be delivering the baby with the main doctor's supervision.

[Deleted User] · October 2014

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thejucheidea · October 2014

I met my OB's NP for an intake appointment before I met her. I ended up meeting her around 10 or 11 weeks.

baloneydisc · October 2014

My first appointment was with my actual doctor at 9w. Most of my appointments were with him, though I did see two different NPs when he was unavailable.

jlovesky · October 2014

I would agree to ask about meeting him or her. Especially if you never have before. Hoping you will like them but I would hate to be so far along before I could meet my doctor only to find you may not like them.

Best of luck to you!

jennypolkadots · October 2014

Yeah, that is strange. I could understand if the NP did tests and stuff and the doctor just stopped in to say hi and answer any questions - but to never see them? How will you know they are a good fit for your birth and support the choices you are making? There are a lot of questions you have to ask them and make sure you are on the same page. This has to be done sooner than later so you can switch doctors if you don't jive well.

jennypolkadots · October 2014

Oh but for your actual question - my first OB appointment was at 6 weeks and I saw my doctor of course. I then went back at 9 weeks and again at 12. I then switched to midwives because I didn't agree with some of my doctor's ideas about birth and didn't feel supported. The midwives meet with me for a whole hour and the quality of care I have received can't be compared. I recommend looking into a midwife service if that is something that's available in your area, especially if you have birth preferences (such as going natural, etc.).

ksgsmu · October 2014

yeah that is weird ... I wouldn't feel comfortable with that

GingerMommy315 · October 2014

Luckily, my actual OB has been at every one of my monthly appointments. The first was at 7 weeks and I've gone once a month since. I could understand a Nurse Practitioner filling in if my doctor was at a delivery. But, you should be given the opportunity to become comfortable with your actual doctor before you give birth!

LynnBrown4 · October 2014

The first time I was seen by an OBGYN was at 13 weeks, though I'd seen my family doctor before (to get prescription for folic acid & prenatal vitamins + treaments for HG). I was told by the nurse that OBGYNs here don't usually see people before the end of the first tri, because if there are problems there's nothing to be done to prevent a miscarriage in the first trimester.

I don't have a lot of experience with this stuff, but 20 weeks sounds a bit extreme to me...

Edit because my grammar sucks

ST3WD · October 2014

Stephanie2378's dr. I searched high and low for a reputable midwife in the mid-south (still looking in case anyone knows of one!), but only found ones that offer services for in-home deliveries.

Right now I'm seen at an OB learning office by a medical campus. How involved you would like the students to be is up to you, and since I have family in the medical field I don't mind. It's really my second preference of prenatal care, but I'll take it. I allow the students to do the exams and hands-on procedures and ask the supervising OB any questions I have. I've seen one at each appointment, but since it is a training center, I expected that.

BrittianyM · October 2014

I have seen my OB at every appointment. That seems strange to me to not see the OB.

mands1125 · October 2014

Another vote for very odd. I've seen my OB at every visit even if it was for like 2 minutes.

bakingmama123 · October 2014

I switched doctors about 5 weeks ago because the ob wouldn't see me ( I am now 20 weeks). I would see her in the hallway and she wouldn't even say hi. I eventually asked myself, when I am in labor will seeing this lady come to deliver my baby make me feel better or worse? Thinking of her unfriendly manner I knew it would make me more stressed, so I switched. It was very easy and I am so happy I did! Best of luck.

daizedoo · October 2014

I have Kaiser insurance, and I've never met my OB. I've seen her NP and her midwife though, and since Kaiser has midwives deliver babies, I don't really see a need to meet the OB. It's likely I won't even know the midwife on call for delivery. It's a very strange system!

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