Time for new doctor...?

mrios26 · October 2015

So I finally had my first appointment yesterday at 12 weeks. NOT pleased! I left so pissed off and disappointed. I have been waiting for the appointment for over a month. When I asked (at the time I set the appt) what my visit would entail, they told me "pap smear, blood work, sonogram". I get there yesterday half an hour early, like they asked, and waited an hour and a half to be seen. Everyone had an awful attitude, no one smiled at me or greeted me kindly. The nurse took my vitals and all of my medical history, then told me I shouldn't have cats while I'm pregnant- what am I supposed to do, throw them out? The doctor finally calls me 20 minutes later, worst bedside manner ever. Didn't smile at me, ask me how I was doing or feeling, nothing in his face or body implied that he even wanted to be where he was. I didn't get my sonogram, the doctor wouldn't even *try* to use the FHR monitor because he said it wouldn't work until 13 weeks (uhmm, I'm 12 weeks, could have given it a go at least). No blood work, only the pap was done.

I feel so stuck. I have to change providers, but I think I'm gonna have to go to the next county for not just a provider, but a quality provider. Yesterday really sucked.

amandajb1 · October 2015

Any nurse midwifes in your area? This is baby number 4 for me and I have loved having a midwife. They care about you and your pregancy, your not just a patient. Something to concider. Good luck!

RoseShadow873 · October 2015

That sounds like a bad appointment! I would definitely want to change doctors! I looked at online reviews of doctors and ended up picking one in another county too, but it's not really that far to go for me. Is it really far for you? It doesn't make sense they said you shouldn't have cats like you're going to get rid of them. I have one and just get my husband to clean the liter box. I even think that is unnecessary because he is an inside only cat so his chance of having toxoplasmosis is low, but I'm not complaining about not cleaning it! I hope you find a better doctor!

mrios26 · October 2015

I have thought about it a lot, actually. I'll have to see if my insurance covers a midwife. This is my second pregnancy. My OB with my first was excellent. Super sweet, very chill. He's only delivering at the hospital now, though.

amandajb1 · October 2015

My midwife said we could test me for toxoplasmoisis- that what in the cat stool that bad. I refused, I said I would rather think I've never been exposed, that way my husband has to keep cleaning the litter box...

eastdurian · October 2015

12 weeks is still early, I'd use the time to find a new OB before your next appointment.

jonesl12 · October 2015

Well. As a ob /gyn employee I can explain some of this but there was no reason for the staff to be rude if they were.
You can have cats, just don't change the litter yourself without a mask or gloves
Ob/gyn are notorious for being late here's why:
1. They leave to deliver babies and come back. That could be you.
2. Patient calls and says " I have vaginal bleeding " they get put on the schedule for a 10 min appointment. Patient shows up late, patent then tells dr in the room she has" lumps" around her vagina and vaginal itching. That 10 min appointment patient was not honest about when she called now turns into a 30 min appointment that includes a pelvic exam and cultures. Dr is now 40 minutes behind.
3. We also don't do dopplers before 13 weeks because if we don't find it moms to be freak out and we end up having to do an ultrasound that adds another 5 min to your appointment that both caused you more stress and puts dr another 5 min behind. If it's needed Dr is now 50 minuted behind.
4. Lastly if you are looking for heart to heart conversations and butterflies with chit chat I'd find a midwife. My doc is to the point , extremely well educated, doesn't sugar coat or chit chat. However he has saved the lives of women and their babies in emergency situations and I know my life and my babies is safe with him. I'd rather have that than smiles and girl talk anyway. It's a dr visit not a social club. However... If people are being rude to you there you then you need to say something to the manager because that's unprofessional and always uncalled for ... Unless you ( patient ) are being an asshole

mrios26 · October 2015

I'm not looking for Mary Poppins in my doc, but I definitely expected more than what I got. I did forget to mention this- he placed my due date at August 24. I told him no that's not right, maybe needed to look again. He argued with me, lol. I said to him "unless I'm expected to be pregnant for 13 months, I think you're looking at your chart wrong". He checked again, "oh, yes". He explained to me that he wouldn't be my OB, and that I would meet the doctor who would be delivering around 28 weeks. So I think he's just GYN in charge of prenatal care until the last months, then they switch off. I dunno, it was just off to me. My first OB was so laid back and nice that this guy's unpleasantness threw me off.

As far as the sono, there is only one technician available in the clinic. Normally that's fine and totally understandable. He is only there, however, once a week for 3 hours. When they service as large of an area ass they do, though, it makes me wonder why they wouldn't schedule him on assn additional day for another few hours. I was told by doc that he leaves at 4, so he wasn't sure he'd see me. I asked if he could see if he'd squeeze me in before he had to leave. Doc came back and explained he had to go, but he would wait for me this one time. When I get called back in, they tell me he left. Which is why I was pissed when I left.

Overall, my peeves were with that rude staff and my visit didn't entail what I was promised. I understand sh*t happens, I just think it sucks of them to promise something that they know most likely won't happen.

Muggle lover · October 2015

I've had 3 appointments so far, all the first appointment of the day. All three, the doctor has been 30-45 minutes late. I really like her but the reason I schedule as early as possible is so I can still have a full day at work. I think it's really unprofessional, especially since she doesn't even aknoledge that she's late or apologizes. If she is late next time I will talk to her about my options, whether it be trying for the last appointment of the day (so I can squeeze in a full day of work) or finding a new ob.

mrios26 · October 2015

And to add, I understand there are risks involved with caring for pets. They don't belong to me, however. They're my sister's cats and are normally always in her room. She does the cleaning. I tried explaining this to the nurse, and that they were vaccinated, indoor cats that are very well cared for. She kept shaking her head. I didn't wanna get into it with her. Was she implying I throw them out? lol

jonesl12 · October 2015

Muggle lover said:
I've had 3 appointments so far, all the first appointment of the day. All three, the doctor has been 30-45 minutes late. I really like her but the reason I schedule as early as possible is so I can still have a full day at work. I think it's really unprofessional, especially since she doesn't even aknoledge that she's late or apologizes. If she is late next time I will talk to her about my options, whether it be trying for the last appointment of the day (so I can squeeze in a full day of work) or finding a new ob.

Please refer to my comment above as to why they run late. Trust me.. They wanna go home to their family's at the end of the day on time as well but it's literally impossible unless patients are more honest when they make appointments , and if dr didn't have to leave to deliver a baby and come back.
Just expect a wait ... You can thank those around you in the waiting area for the inconvenience

mrios26 · October 2015

From all the people I've spoken to who work in doc offices, they are normally running late for early morning appts because most people a. don't show up on time, and b. have paperwork to fill out before seeing the doctor. My appt was at 3 in the afternoon.

Muggle lover · October 2015

jonesl12 said:

Muggle lover said:
I've had 3 appointments so far, all the first appointment of the day. All three, the doctor has been 30-45 minutes late. I really like her but the reason I schedule as early as possible is so I can still have a full day at work. I think it's really unprofessional, especially since she doesn't even aknoledge that she's late or apologizes. If she is late next time I will talk to her about my options, whether it be trying for the last appointment of the day (so I can squeeze in a full day of work) or finding a new ob.
Please refer to my comment above as to why they run late. Trust me.. They wanna go home to their family's at the end of the day on time as well but it's literally impossible unless patients are more honest when they make appointments , and if dr didn't have to leave to deliver a baby and come back.
Just expect a wait ... You can thank those around you in the waiting area for the inconvenience

that is why I schedule for first appointment of the day. Literally, the very first in the office. I get other things can happen (in this case, it is not other patients in front of me) but 3 for 3 seems unacceptable in my book. Which is why I will address it if it happens again.

runlong3 · October 2015

I would find somewhere else. It doesn't matter if he's not the OB at the end, if you don't feel comfortable in this one's care right now - how do you know he won't miss something important between now and 28 weeks? What's the worst that's going to happen, you hurt their feelings? After they treated you the way they did? It just blows my mind hearing about this kinds of offices. WHY do you go into that field if that's how you're going to act?

I would disregard the comment about cats (from a nurse, not the doc), and the wait. If you remove those two things, how do you feel about the office? The horrible bedside manner would be all it took for me, but not for everyone.

JadaBlue · October 2015

@jonesl12 My ob was on time for every single appointment during my last pregnancy, and I had to go at least weekly for my last six weeks. Genuinely asking, what do you think enabled that practice to run on time when it sounds like your experience says it's not possible?

mrios26 · October 2015

Right. That was what initially put me off- cat comment and wait aside. My husband was with me yesterday and even he (first time dad) was shocked at how rude and cold everyone was. Jesus, I get better bedside manner from my PCP, and I only see him once or twice a year. I definitely will be looking into the next county for a provider, and see if possibly I can get a midwife.

jonesl12 · October 2015

JadaBlue said:
@jonesl12 My ob was on time for every single appointment during my last pregnancy, and I had to go at least weekly for my last six weeks. Genuinely asking, what do you think enabled that practice to run on time when it sounds like your experience says it's not possible?

Maybe they have longer appointment times or a template for how many of certain visit types are allowed in a day. We see about 45-55 patients a busy day between dr and the NP so I'd love to know the secret so I could get home before 7 pm every night

mrios26 · October 2015

I'm sure it probably has a lot to do with location as well? I live in Miami, and the demand for prenatal care is very high as this city is overpopulated. I'm sure the wait tones are longer in busy, metropolitan areas versus small towns? Just a thought.

kimey1 · October 2015

I'd look for a diff doc if the staff and docs were so rude and you don't feel happy about it. My doc and his staff are all super nice and on point.
I have to say I usually wait 30minutes everytime I see my doc, on worse days an hour. But I appreciate that they'll squeeze me in when I ask to be seen urgently so I don't have to go to the ER. Those days I'm just happy they'll see me.
If you choose to, I'm sure you could find a better place for care since you're still in the early stage of the pregnancy.

RoseShadow873 · October 2015

My doctor hasn't kept me waiting much so far either. There are quite a few OBs at that office though, so maybe they have a good plan to do everything efficiently....

ivyvines6 · October 2015

Sorry dear. At least you haven't gone 16weeks getting dropped from two different doctors because they decided, after accepting you, they don't want to deal with your mental illness? I just found a doctor who is willing to work with me now, and I haven't had ANY exams of any kind.

mrios26 · October 2015

Knottie9983816 said:
Sorry dear. At least you haven't gone 16weeks getting dropped from two different doctors because they decided, after accepting you, they don't want to deal with your mental illness? I just found a doctor who is willing to work with me now, and I haven't had ANY exams of any kind.

What?? That's awful! I'm sorry you had to go through that. So ridiculous.

ivyvines6 · October 2015

mrios26 said:

Knottie9983816 said:
Sorry dear. At least you haven't gone 16weeks getting dropped from two different doctors because they decided, after accepting you, they don't want to deal with your mental illness? I just found a doctor who is willing to work with me now, and I haven't had ANY exams of any kind.
What?? That's awful! I'm sorry you had to go through that. So ridiculous.

Tell me about it... But everything is taken care of now, and on the brite side I didn't have to impatiently wait between appointments this whole time, because there was no way to have early appointments! I did have a couple trips to the ER, but that's a different story.

loveymay · October 2015

OP did they at least do a urine sample to confirm pregnancy?? If not, sounds like a waste of an appt to me. My first appt was to confirm pregnancy, I was 9 weeks and saw my doctor. She did an ultrasound and let us hear the heartbeat, even printed a few pics for us. My last few appts have been with the NP, but everyone I've seen has been incredibly kind and helpful. I LOVE my doctor! When I first started going to her for my regular gyn appts, she walked in and sat down next to me and she allowed me to talk and ask any questions I had. I never have felt rushed with her and I've also never had to wait to be seen at my appts. There are a total of 5 doctors at this practice, and idk how many NPs, so I imagine they see a lot of patients everyday. If you are unhappy with your care, you should definitely find someone who can give you the care you are looking for. Some providers just have better bedside manner I suppose! Sorry you had a bad experience, I hope you can find someone you like soon!

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