Are you satisfied with your OB's care?

houser1406 · January 2015

My OB is the same way...in and out. Theyre practically out the door as they ask me if I have any questions. I'm lucky enough, though, to be able to reach them via a phone app or email if I have even the littlest question. The visits get a little longer as you get closer to your due date, or so I've heard!

Murran131 · January 2015

I haven't had a problem with mine - I go to a clinic where you might not see the same doctor twice unless you request it. I have a favorite, but it doesn't always work out. And they're busy! Most of the appointment is spend with the nurse. The Doctor mostly just looks over ultrasounds, does a quick fundal height measurement, checks the baby's heartbeat. And then he asks if I have any questions, which I normally don't. It's pretty much in and out and on our way. I don't mind. He's got other things to do than hold my hand, and people with a whole lot more serious health issues to take care of.

jesslfar · January 2015

This is my 3rd pregnancy and I have had 2 OBs (first retired) and I do see others in the practice. What you are describing is a normal OB experience. You should not feel like they are rushing you and they should be willing to stay and talk to you as long as you want, but if you want a more in depth appointment you should switch to a midwife. I have seen probably 15 different OBs in total over all my appointments and this is exactly what an appointment is.

amandamarie2 · January 2015

As PPs have mentioned, perhaps a MW would be more suited to the type of experience you're looking for? I'm with a MW practice where I alternate appointments with my two primary MWs. My appointments are 20-30 minutes where they take blood pressure, check baby's heart rate, etc. then go over any questions I have. If I don't have anything specific, which I often don't, they usually have a topic or question which we discuss. If I've done some research on the topic, they go less in depth but if I haven't thought about it they go into more detail.

tdmloverrn · January 2015

Definitely happy with my OB. I don't think appointments are meant to be more than 15 mins though.

Before each appointment, I make a list of things I either have questions about or want to check in about. She is more than happy to answer and discuss.

I really believe in being your advocate, so if you are unhappy, change your provider.

pistachio&blush · January 2015

@boxermamahm‌ I don't think you should accept this type of care. I don't think a 3 minute appointment is the normal standard of care. I am a FTM and base this on my personal experiences.

As background, I have a sister that is very high maintenance. She selected a top OBGYN who was absolutely phenomenal. I went to several appointments with her and was present for delivery. The appointments were lengthy and the doctor covered everything you would find in a pregnancy book and more. My sister had her doctor's personal cell number and anytime, day or night, that she had a question she could text him directly. Even though he is retired now, she still texts him her medical questions.

I am not as high maintenance (I like to think) but I found an OBGYN that satisfies my personal needs. My appointments have been as long as 45 minutes or so going over all of my questions/concerns and my husbands. I don't time them but I don't walk away with any unanswered questions. I don't have my doctors cell number but I can call anytime with questions and the nurse always responds the same day. I meet with my OB, the same one that will deliver, at every appointment. My husband and I have developed a good relationship with her. We are both very happy to have her deliver our first baby and confident in her services.

Good luck and keep us posted if you decide to find a new OBGYN!

pistachio&blush · January 2015

I forgot to to tell you that I am also a boxer's mama.... This is my boxer boy

doxiemom415 · January 2015

It's clear, @boxermamahm that you're dissatisfied with your OB.. you can continue to say that you're not, but you are. You've gotten so much good advice on this thread but still continue to come back with reasons why you're not happy. At the end of the day, it's YOUR pregnancy, you should be doing what is best for YOU. You're paying a doctor to take care of you, so if you don't feel like you're being taken care of. Change it. No one can do that for you, or talk you into it, or out of it. It's your decision. You've received countless replies telling you "yes, this is normal, that's exactly how my appointments go".. but you're not even acknowledging that, instead you're coming back with a differently worded same reply to all of them. So it's clearly a no-win on the advice giving, here. You've made your mind up whether you want to admit that or not, CHANGE DOCTORS. Every pregnant woman is at some point a "nervous pregnant woman", as you called yourself, but your doctor is not your Mother, isn't the internet, and isn't a baby book... she is there to tell you you're healthy and bring your baby into the world. The other 3 options are to hair-pet you and tell you everything is normal that you are feeling. This thread has just gone in circles about a dozen times, for the love of God. How much more advice do you need?

kjuryfl · January 2015

The actual care I receive? I love. The 1-2hr wait time each time I go? I hate. That is a definite con of going to a small practice but the overall care trumps it.

boxermamahm · January 2015

pistachio&blush said:
I forgot to to tell you that I am also a boxer's mama.... This is my boxer boy

He's sooooooo cute! This is my baby.

boxermamahm · January 2015

doxiemom415 said:
It's clear, @boxermamahm that you're dissatisfied with your OB.. you can continue to say that you're not, but you are. You've gotten so much good advice on this thread but still continue to come back with reasons why you're not happy. At the end of the day, it's YOUR pregnancy, you should be doing what is best for YOU. You're paying a doctor to take care of you, so if you don't feel like you're being taken care of. Change it. No one can do that for you, or talk you into it, or out of it. It's your decision. You've received countless replies telling you "yes, this is normal, that's exactly how my appointments go".. but you're not even acknowledging that, instead you're coming back with a differently worded same reply to all of them. So it's clearly a no-win on the advice giving, here. You've made your mind up whether you want to admit that or not, CHANGE DOCTORS. Every pregnant woman is at some point a "nervous pregnant woman", as you called yourself, but your doctor is not your Mother, isn't the internet, and isn't a baby book... she is there to tell you you're healthy and bring your baby into the world. The other 3 options are to hair-pet you and tell you everything is normal that you are feeling. This thread has just gone in circles about a dozen times, for the love of God. How much more advice do you need?

The reason I posted wasn't really for advice, but to get a sense of whether my experience is the norm. Being that it seems to largely be the average experience, I am *not* dissatisfied. I have some complaints, but it doesn't undermine my confidence in my doctors ability to help me safely get through the remainder of my pregnancy and delivery, which is obviously the goal.

I will yield the advice of others to be more assertive, write down my questions, and expect that my doctor will take the time to answer them, while continuing to rely on self-educating via books and websites for a basic understanding of what's happening and what's normal. I do think it's a shame that this is the state of obstetric care in a country with the highest medical costs in the world, but that's not something I have much power or opportunity to tackle, though I did find it discussion worthy.

boxermamahm · January 2015

@pistachio&blush‌ and I love that your boy wears a bow tie too! Just dashing

OliveMom3 · January 2015

I'm in Canada and see my family practitioner since I'm low risk. She spends a good 15 minutes with me but typically takes my measurements (bp, heart beat, fundal height, etc.) herself. I always go with at least a couple questions and she great about answering them. She'll go over things that were raised in previous visits to see how things are going with those and ask if I have any questions for whats upcoming in pregnancy. She's young, so maybe over eager? But she's very educated and I really value the attention I get.

If you have questions, speak up. She can't read your mind.

pistachio&blush · January 2015

boxermamahm said:
@pistachio&blush‌ and I love that your boy wears a bow tie too! Just dashing

Boxers are the best dogs.... Your guy is handsome. They look like such gentleman with their bow ties!

pistachio&blush · January 2015

secondaryPULSE said:
IShe comes to our home for each visit and spends 30-60 minutes with us. I know this isn't really available to everyone (nor is it what everyone wants), but I just wanted to share that there are other options out there (and home birth isn't a requirement to get more than 5 minutes with your OB/MW).

Wow, I need to find that in my area. I wish I would have known about an option like this at the beginning of my pregnancy. Just curious, does the MW make weekend visits?

snok83 · January 2015

This is my 2nd pregnancy. And I have experienced some of the same thoughts as OP. In my first pregnancy, my OB was very detailed and took time to talk with me about what to expect and good general information for new moms. Things you might experience in coming weeks, when to increase intake of calcium, etc.

For this time around, I have not been able to get into him due to my new work schedule and him reducing his hours to just 2 1/2 days a week. All of the other doctors I tried in the office have been very short and to the point. Good thing is you are in and out. They ask their list of 4-5 questions - had any headaches, bleeding, swelling, etc. Then say okay see you later unless you have questions. Its down to business and then get you out of there.

ejz98ric02 · January 2015

I base the answer to this question on not just the Dr., but the office staff as a whole. My office rocks! I really lucked out! The from office girls and the nurses are dynamite--never a bad experience!

My OB listens to the doppler and measures my FH, and then asks what questions I have. If I have 1 or 10, he never ever rushes me.

Maybe you need a new Dr?

kmayababy · January 2015

Go in with a plan, it's your healthcare! Make a list of concerns so you don't forget (not a mile long) and address them at the appointment. You have to give her some form of communication to inform her that you have concerns...

mdupon70997 · January 2015

I'm a FTM and a paying customer. And I have lots of questions. Sometimes we feel like we almost have to tie my OB to the chair to get him to thoroughly answer my questions or to make sure he is aware of my birthing game plan. I understand that there are other women waiting to be seen, but I'm also not asking him to hang out with me for 30 minutes. Also I've been sick since Dec. 30th with a post nasal drip and bronchitis and I had to almost harass him to write a script for anything. When you're pregnant ENT's would rather you see your OB for stuff like that. But he wanted me to see an ENT, so... Overall I've been fine with him until now. Being sick has definitely made me think of having him be my care provider for next time.

myeumyeu · January 2015

My OB spends about 10-15 minutes with me. She does review the results of all the tests with me without my prompting, I don't think its too much to expect to expect that. As for what to expect or symptoms, I do generally have to be the one to ask. I'm happy with my care, and feel like I trust her from my experiences with her pre-pregnancy.

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