Twins Doctor Advice

AshleighhSue · September 2015

I try not to post a whole lot but I am beyond frustrated. I have talked to my husband about all this & with us being first time parents, he's asked that I get opinions from other moms before we make our decision.
I have had about 5 appointments with my original OB office. I started attending there 7 months before I got pregnant & had nothing but good things to say about this place.
Anyways, since I've found out I was pregnant, I've been about 5 times. Every time I go, it's a different doctor. When I asked about why they do that, I was told it was because they have SO many pregnant patients. Okay....? But the thing that is so frustrating is that at every doctor's appointment I get a different story; who is going to be delivering my babies, how they will be delivered, & the fact that I'm not really being told anything other than the rate of their heartbeats. Like I don't even get a chance to ask questions, they do everything so fast. Over an hour wait in the lobby for about a 7 min appointment.....
But, I also go to a doctor up in Norman, OK that specializes in twins. I have only went once in August, & go again next week. I feel like I get more of my info that I need/want from him.
So I guess what I'm trying to say/ask is how are your experiences going with your original OB? Do you see a different OB every appointment? What are your opinions on what I need to do? I'm really tempted to just drop my 1st OB and just keep the specialist..

aphilli8 · September 2015

My OB said basically in this pregnancy he's my doctor and my MFM is the babies doctor. He monitors my weight, blood pressure etc and then any concerns I may have, but that's about it. The appts are literally 3-5 minutes, but I go to a private practice with one OB and in two pregnancies I've only ever had to wait one time. I usually tonight back. What you posted sounds fairly common in a large practice so if that's not what you're looking for and you have options I would look elsewhere. I do think you need to keep an OB though.

rah938 · September 2015

I do have to wait each time, but it's the same doctor. I get an ultrasound each time because having twins and then I see her. She delivered both of my boys and will be there for this delivery unless they come at a time she absolutely can't be because she's caught in another delivery, etc. She is chronically behind because she makes time if you have issues, so I'm okay with waiting a little. I think it's important you find an OB you like and trust. There are multiple in my practice--they choose whether they rotate or have dedicated pts when setting up a practice. Find someone else.

alice2Bcheshire · September 2015

I had an OB and saw a Perinatologist (MFM) when I was PG with my twins. As PP said, large practices will typically rotate you around through all their practitioners so you're familiar with everyone, as there's no guarantee who'll be delivering your babies.

As far as getting a different story about how your twins will be delivered, it's possible this is because they can't tell you who will be attending the delivery-- many docs will automatically C-section multiples, while others will let you try for a vaginal delivery as long as the babies are both positioned correctly. Some are even willing to perform a breech extraction, and will let you attempt a vaginal delivery even with less-than-optimal positioning.

I only saw the MFM for the 20w level II anatomy scan, fetal echo (which we ended up needing b/c the Peri thought she saw a VSD in our son's heart), and bi-weekly non-stress tests in 3rd tri. My OB was the one who actually delivered my twins.

nackie · September 2015

My practice has 4 docs and I rotate between them all so that I'm familiar with whichever one is on call when I go into labor. They always ask me if I have any questions, but even with my questions, the appointments are usually less than 15 minutes

erincjackson · September 2015

I agree with PP. I see the different OB in the practice I'm a patient of so I'm familiar with them if my OB isn't on call for delivery. He tracks me and my progress, weight, blood pressure, baby heart beat, fundal height, etc.

The MFM Dr follows baby specifically. We do get more detailed information from him because his main focus is the baby and monitoring her growth. My OB is also helpful to help translate anything that I might still have questions about also.

leap_frog · September 2015

I go to a practice with 3 Drs. I need to see all 3 *at least* one time during my pregnancy, so when I go into labor, there is no surprises. I make most of my appointments with my main Dr. I love him.

I have also seen a MFM Dr. for our level II ultrasound (I am considered "Advanced Maternal Age") I will go back around 34 weeks for another ultrasound with him. He's amazing as well.

If you are not comfortable, I say find a new Dr!

JNGettinMarried · September 2015

Agree with PP's. For my first pregnancy I saw each of the doctors in the practice (5) and then stuck with one for the rest... appointments in the 5-15 minute range. Mainly urine sample, weight, blood pressure, fetal heart rate and any quick questions. I ended up with a c-section due to the baby being big (9+ lbs). Since my girls will only be about 18 months apart I'm not a good candidate for vbac and will have another scheduled c. I fully expected to make my rounds with all the doctors again but now my ob tells the receptionist to make my next appointment with her. She's the boss!

kmo8986 · September 2015

I go to a big practice and am supposed to see a different doc or midwife until I have seen them all so that I am comfortable during delivery no matter who is on call. Last pregnancy I didn't see everyone because some doctors don't use the office I go to a lot or don't have appointments the hours I can go. No one ever FORCED me to see someone I didn't want to see. Sometimes I have to wait, sometimes I go right in, but if I have questions or concerns the doctors have always been attentive. If you aren't happy I would say switch.

maureenmce · September 2015

My OB's practice is her and one other doctor, but I always see my OB. The only reason I would ever see the other OB is if I went into labor or had some sort of emergency and my OB was out of town or unavailable. Our appointments are relatively brief, but I am always able to ask as many questions as I or my husband need to ask, so I don't feel rushed or in the dark.

I'm a FTM so I do have a lot of questions and in your situation, with twins, I bet you have even more! If it's not too difficult, I'd probably switch OBs just to have some consistency and get my questions answered, if I were you, but that depends on a ton of factors. (Does the specialist cost more? Significantly more? Is that okay with your budget? Is he/she much farther away? Will that be a factor in emergencies/delivery? Etc.)

Good luck!

mamakculb · September 2015

There is only one OB at my office and I see him every appointment. For me, I like the consistency but I understand why larger clinics rotate doctors. My appts at this stage are still pretty brief, probably 10-15 minutes but I'm never rushed and always given a chance to ask questions or voice concerns.

This is a crazy, important time in your life, especially if you're having twins. I don't think it's ever a bad thing to switch and be comfortable with your Ob, as long as you're being reasonable, which you are. You want to be happy and confident in the person guiding you through prenatal care and delivery. Pick the dr that works best for you!

CaraBoonie · September 2015

I usually have 15-30 minutes of wait time at my doctor's (although less if I'm the first appt of the day), and then if it's an ultrasound day I get 30 minutes with the ultrasound tech and then about 15 minutes with my doctor, but frankly we usually get out in less than the 15 minutes because I don't have any questions and it's usually just a quick blood draw or urine sample and him answering questions at this stage (at the beginning he did a pap and transvag ultrasounds and those appointments I had more facetime with my doctor). The practice has several doctors, but I always see mine, however I frankly don't really care, and while I would PREFER my own doctor the day of delivery, since I like him and my husband likes him, I really don't think it makes much of a difference who pulls this baby out of me and won't be devastated if he happens to be away at the time.

Mommyduclos · September 2015

A lot of Drs offices do "cycle you through" where you see different Drs part of he point of that is only one Dr is on schedule for deliveries at a given time, so that way you are likely to at least have met the Dr who winds up delivering your babies. This of course would be different if you have a scheduled c section. Some practices you will see only one Dr and I believe often times those Drs do attempt to make it to all of their deliveries, but it doesn't always work out so you see one Dr your entire pregnancy but then it could be someone entirely different for delivery. Some practices are smaller and where you still may see everyone it will be a smaller number of Drs than others. It is totally normal for your appointments to be very short, though I was always given the opportunity to ask questions or express concerns I would say the average appointment is less than 10 min. If you are getting mixed messages about how the practice works, being blown off, or not feeling cared for then you definitely could consider another care provider but the short visits and rotating Drs are very common for a lot of practices.

Kelley421 · September 2015

I see a regular OB in a large practice and have only seen him.
I also see MFM/perinatologist, and I would see him exclusively if his office was not a two hour drive one way!
If you feel more comfortable and the specialist will accept as full patient, make the switch!

claireloSC · September 2015

I see the same doctor every time but anyone in my practice can deliver the baby. It's likely the doctor delivering will be someone I haven't met before. Oh well, as long as I get a healthy baby I'm going to trust they know as much as my doctor does.

mg137 · September 2015

I never wait, which is awesome, but had some super long waits last pregnancy. This time I have seen the same doctor most times but now will start rotating through the midwives so I'll get to know them before the birth since they'll be there, not a doctor unless something goes wrong.

Last pregnancy I was having twins, like you. I saw my doctor every appt, got a call back from him anytime I had a medical issue or question, and got a phone call from him with the results of every test. That made me feel comfortable and secure when I was nervous about carrying twins long enough, avoiding a c-section if at all possible, and all the other concerns that come along with multiples (or other high risk) pregnancies. This pregnancy I don't need any coddling, just caregivers who are knowledgable, nice, supportive of my decisions and plans, and don't make me wait a long time. This is just me, though. I think all pregnant moms need to feel comfortable and safe and well cared for during pregnancy, whatever that means for them. If you don't and you live somewhere with a selection of doctors, find someone who will make you feel better. There's nothing wrong with switching and you feeling confident and comfortable with your caregiver can make such a difference for your pregnancy and delivery.

peppercorn16 · September 2015

I go to a practice with 3 doctors and have seen 2/3. My appointments with my main OB are fast, impersonal, and she brings in a PA who she does not introduce and the PA does not speak, just stands in the corner and watches. My OB doesn't acknowledge my husband or me with any kind of greeting, she is very short in her answers, and she talks about whatever she wants to talk about, not about anything I have questions with. She doesn't even tell us the heart rate, just listens to it and if we ask she acts like it's an inconvenience to read the screen. If I mention a symptom I am having she looks at me like "you're pregnant, what do you expect?" but as a FTM I mostly just want to know if it is within a normal range.

Then on the other side I go to the MFM every 4 weeks and I do see a different doctor there every time because there is a specific doctor, nurse, and ultrasound tech who is specifically assigned to a month of pregnancy (e.g. for my NT scan I saw the 11-14 week doc, a/s I saw the 15-20 week doc, etc.). This office is COMPLETELY different. They are 110% thorough, compassionate, concerned about my questions and needs, and always err on the side of caution with my baby. They explain everything they are doing as they are doing it, and they explain their plan for the future of the pregnancy and anything they will do to overcome whatever obstacle we are discussing.

My point is- you're not alone. I DREAD my regular OB appointments, but my MFM appointments are always so refreshing. I have also not been with my OB very long (started there 4 months before getting pregnant) and as soon as I am cleared from post-partum care, I will be switching. It is extremely important to be comfortable with your doctor, but personally I also understand sticking with it to avoid the stress of changing late in pregnancy, especially since there's no guarantee someone else will take you, or that you'll like them! So if you've got the guts and feel the need, make the change. Otherwise, if you feel that you and your babies' safety is not being compromised, hang in there until January!

kfreeman2008 · September 2015

I see my same OB for each visit. He started as Chief Medical Officer for a hospital in the middle of my last pregnancy, so he only have hours twice a week. He happened to be on call the day I was in labor and was able to deliver my son. His wife is one of the other 5 doctors in the practice, so she saw me after the birth (my son was life flighted after being born with seizures and breathing issues....he was fine in the end, but I got out in 36 hours so I could travel to be with him).

I was high-risk by 30 weeks last time and got to know all the doctors between emergency visits and them being on call the first few times I was in the hospital. My OB always wrote great notes or they would call and ask him for his opinion when I had an issue. Maybe you will feel better if you wriye a birth plan and make sure you discuss it with all the doctors you see? I didnt have one and don't have one this time, but we determined at the first visit that we would do a csection no matter how many babies bc my body does not handle labor at all. So, no question with me, but maybe having something in writing that you can give to the office and make sure you have at the hospital will help. You likely won't stick to that completely (especially with twins....Iam having twins as well), but maybe it will help ease your mind!

cerafina205 · September 2015

I see a different OB at each appointment. But there are about 5 doctors at the practice so I do see them each multiple times. I was told it's so I get the meet each doctor because they don't know who will be on call when I go into labor.

JDBtwinmama · September 2015

I'm high risk with twins. However, I'm not high risk only because of twins. I see my mfm every 2 weeks for about an hour. I'm also with the nurse for a half hour. I do see different doctors every time, but there are only 4. I don't even see an on at all. One of these four doctors will deliver. Also, they told me not to worry about a birth plan yet because if I continue to be high risk the decision could be made already. I would say switch and be with someone you're comfortable with. Someone always calls me back immediately and I regularly feel like I'm the only patient they have (they are the best mfm group in the area and are the hospital it's for a level 5 nicu), so I should not feel like I'm the only patient because they are phenomenally busy.

mommiesandbabies · September 2015

There's 5 doctors in my OB practice and we can see whomever but are encouraged to see everyone since you'll deliver with whoever is on call when you go into labor. I'm making a point to meet everyone at least once.

I've waited between 5 and 50 minutes at my OB. It's longest at the end of the day - things pop up, emergencies happen etc. I'm ok with it - one day it might be me!

Since I am having twins I also see the MFM practice regularly. I wait maybe five minutes there before my ultrasounds, then generally 15 or 20 minutes to see the doctor.

thebeefamily · September 2015

I have an OB and an MFM. The MFM office rotates doctors and I had a very uncomfortable anatomy scan with their female doctor who did nothing except talk down to me. My OB doesn't even have an ultrasound machine in their office so I go there for my blood pressure, urine check, and to talk about any female issues (yeast infections, cramping, etc.).

Both experiences are lukewarm at best, but I do feel somewhat comfortable with both offices.

mommiesandbabies · September 2015

Also - how often are you seeing the specialist (I assume this is an MFM)?
I saw mine at 12 w for consult and NT scan, did a growth scan and cervix check at 16, cervix at 18, anatomy at 20, and will go another growth/cervix at 23. Then we will see. Basically my OB has me on a standard schedule and all my extra "twin" monitoring is with MFM.

A lot of MFMs don't deliver, so address that before ditching your OB.

ondabianca · September 2015

There are 4 different doctors who may deliver so they schedule me on a rotating basis. The time with the doctor has thus far been quite short (measure my belly, hear the heartbeat). The doctors always ask if I have questions but I may be the most laid back patient ever as I really don't (any questions I had were able to be answered by the nurse).

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