Babies on the Brain

OBGYN Opinions

How far (minutes wise, because in TX that's how we measure distance, hah! Kind of joking) would you drive to see your OBGYN?

So we moved clear across Dallas from my old OBGYN. I absolutely adored her and the entire practice. I switched and I despise my current doctor and her entire practice. After my surgery business is complete with check ups I am considering going back to my old one. The practice is attached to the hospital that will deliver future babes-about 30 minute drive - all highway.

What do y'all think?

Re: OBGYN Opinions

  • I live in PA and we definitely measure distance in minutes too!! I drive about 30 minutes to my OB, but that is the closest to me and when I switch to an RE (when I can get in) I will be driving almost 2 hours (about 1 hr 45 minutes)
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  • 30 would be my outside max, but I'm in RI where we have a famous hatred of driving far. Worth it in my opinion for a doctor you love.
  • I would definitely drive 30 minutes for a good OBGYN that I really like and am comfortable with.

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  • I really struggle with driving without the added stress of being PG but there are some things worth driving for ... Maybe talk to the OBGYN you liked about who else they might recommend?
  • HookEmNelsonHookEmNelson member
    edited September 2015
    The distant doctor truly is something special. She delivered my son, and maybe that's why I have had attachment to her? In the end I will probably go back to her; My husband is even pushing me to go back. The 2 cons are going to be driving in traffic to get there for appts. and paying for parking at the hospital.

    Current doctor and office staff need to get their stuff together. I have had enough of rescheduling for the most insane things and she is a total B. Talking it over while typing makes me wonder why have I stayed with her this long? Hah!
  • @HookEmNelson Totally get it! And if hubby is on board then it sounds like you've got the support and the will:). Good care is always worth the hassle.
  • That drive though. Clear across Dallas.
  • If others can do it, I can do it too. Ladies from DFW will think I'm crazy. We are literally surrounded by hospitals all over town.
  • Worth through drive to feel comfortable for sure. I am in a rural area and will have to drive 30 mins for ultrasounds and 1 hour and 45 mins to deliver/visit an obgyn. Hopefully the traffic is kind to you or that you'd be able to schedule around rush hour for check ups!

    We also measure in minutes up here. Although my home town tended to measure in distance. Minutes is so much more practical..just tell me how long it'll take lol.
  • I think 30 minutes would totally be worth it for an OBGYN that you love and feel comfortable with. Plus, appointments will be few and far between until the third trimester (given everything is normal) so I wouldn't think it would be too big of a deal to make the 30 minute drive once or twice a month for the most part.
  • For my OBGYN, she's about 30-45 minutes away from me and she's totally worth it. I adore her lol.  In general, I don't think I'd drive any farther than that for any doctor though.


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  • Totally worth the drive. I wish I could go back to NM to my old doctor. (Living in ND now) It's important that you feel 100%comfortable your doc. Best of luck girly!
  • I wanted a doctor very close, and found a practice that's only 10 min away. However, I'm considering switching back to my original OB that's about 30-40 min away. It's hard to start going to a new doctor once you find one you're comfortable with and trust.
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  • So where is your old doc? Just to get some DFW-area context. :) You could try to find a doc you like better close to you. Or, you could go back to the old doc. Depending on your schedule, I would go back to the old doc if I couldn't find someone I like better nearby. 

    I dealt with this a bit because I delivered DS at Baylor Grapevine and liked my doc. Then we moved here, and Grapevine was too far. I went through 2 different docs in Richardson and Dallas before I found one I like. So I get it.

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  • HookEmNelsonHookEmNelson member
    edited September 2015
    @cjt121413 The one I love is Dr. Kristi Ryder at Medical City Dallas. Everyone in her practice was amazing - I experienced a couple of other doctors within the office during my pregnancy. So basically, I would be traveling from 121 and Freeport area, all the way to 75 and Forest - a trip across 635 would be happening.

    Edited: Just tweaking a few things.
  • I also really loved the hospital. They had just updated everything (4yrs ago) and fun fact: I was born at that hospital, hah! So I thought that was kind of awesome.
  • By the way, who is your Dr. and what hospital?
  • My doc now is Dr. Tricia Shimer at Presby Dallas. My doc with DS was Dr Courtney Walters at Baylor Grapevine. I liked her a lot but I also felt like they pushed induction earlier than was necessary, which for me ended up with a c/s. I like Baylor GV a lot fwiw.

    Yeah that trip would be long for you, but I definitely know people who've done something similar or even commuted that far to work every day! I'd maybe see if there is a doc closer that you're comfortable with, but if not I think being comfortable with your doc and hospital is priceless.

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  • @cjt121413 Seriously, I am getting a kick out of how local you are. The fact that you know the area on both ends of DFW well is nice. My husband grew up in Mesquite and most of his friends have never even heard of Flower Mound, hah!
  • I guess I'm in the minority but I wouldn't want to drive that far for all my appointments; that would mean if your appointment takes 30 minutes, you'll be out of commission for 1.5 hrs every time you have an appointment. I guess it depends on how much you love your OB! If you really love/trust them, then stick with it! Honestly, you can always switch if it gets to be too much travel time.
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  • @HookEmNelson I think if you love your OBGYN it is worth it. J and I have been looking at delivering at a birth center and the closest one is an hr away. They also want us to do prenatal there... I've been debating that... its long...but if I have a more comfortable delivery then its worth it.
  • I wouldn't drive that far but I live in an area where I have a lot of close choices and multiple close hospitals. I know women who have though for VBACs or just b/c they want to but I personally wouldn't want to be stuck in the car in labor or just the extra miles anyway. It's totally up to you though and what's available where you live.

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  • I definitely get what y'all are saying and that's my hesitation, because there are so many choices in Dallas. There are multiple hospitals within each suburb. I just need to do my research, continue to ask my local 'burb friends, and come up with the decision. Thankfully I have some time.
  • MrsFL2015MrsFL2015 member
    edited September 2015
    All my doctors are a distance away and I currently drive about 40 minutes to see my primary.  I'm going to a new OBGYN soon and that's a good 25 minutes away.    I always pick doctors/practices based on their reputation and their affiliation with particular hospitals.   I think it's worth the risk to have a doctor (and a preferred hospital) you truly feel comfortable with that's a little further away.    Thirty minutes isn't far at all. 
  • Man I would totally drive 30 min for a great Ob that I trusted. Heck I would drive an hour! There's something to be said for a good doctor that you can trust.
    I freaking love my ND and gladly drive half an hour each way to see her. I'm debating staying under her care vs using an actual Ob...
  • I live in a rural area in NC so 30 minutes to me is nothing. I drive about 35-40 minutes to my OBGYN right now and it totally worth it.
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  • Is it 30 minutes in ideal conditions, or 30 minutes in rush hour? I'm more concerned with how long it's going to take to get to the hospital during labor. My OBs have two offices, and I prefer the office that's 30 minutes away to the one that's 15 minutes away.
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  • I think It's worth it to be with a dr you are comfortable with.  I just switched my OBGYN because I didn't like her hospital affiliation.  It takes about 20ish minutes to drive to my new OB from home and maybe 10 minutes from work.  I would drive up to an hour to have a Dr and hospital I am comfortable with.  My aunt drove an hour and 20 minutes to her Dr and hospital for her deliveries, but there wasn't many options near her.  

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