Community› The Bump Month Clubs› December 2015 Moms
December 2015 Moms
New Discussion

OB quit practice with no notice...

sardavbaksardavbak member
in December 2015 Moms
So I got a call yesterday telling me that my OB quit the practice I've been seen at with no notice and is now gone. I asked about my 2nd choice OB... He quit the same day. I'm 36w2d and flagged as high risk due to prior bariatric surgery... The practice seems to be in panic mode now and couldn't even tell me who would be doing my c-section anymore, which had been scheduled for 12/9 (or if that was even happening anymore). I'm freaking out and trying to figure out what to do. Do y'all think I should try to change practices? I don't even know if that's a possibility this late into my pregnancy. I was up all night stressing about this - ahh! Any advice is appreciated :)
Report Reply to Post

Re: OB quit practice with no notice...

  • kepoolekepoole member
    Oh no! I would definitely call around to offices that are in network with your insurance and see what they can do for you. Are there any other OBs there in the office who DIDNT quit?

    (PS, I'm scheduled to induce the same day so we might have babies the same day!)
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • RSB1982RSB1982 member
    Its strange for two docs to quit the same day.  Signals something must be going on internally.  It could be as simple as they didn't get an agreed upon pay raise or something, who knows.  How many doctors does this practice have?  It may be hard to find a doctor to take you on as a patient this late in the game.  I would try to find one you are comfortable with within that same practice, for simplicity sake.  This really sucks BTW, added stress you do not need right now!  
    Report Reply
  • modschettermodschetter member
    It may be silly to assume but my guess would be that if two OBs left on the same day that they are both going to a new office. Is there any way you could call either the hospital you were going to deliver at or your insurance and see if your doctor is still practicing, just at a different office?
    Report Reply
  • NJPita22NJPita22 member
    if the doctors you like quit or even left especially at the same time something isn't quite right either with the doctors or the practice. Usually they will tell you where the doctor went so that you can follow them but if they don't that's an uneasy sign. I definitely would start looking into a new practice and potentially new OB. Also it's possible that the OB department in the hospital you were planning on delivering at can help you find your OB. It's a good idea to call them. If they don't know where he went or if he no longer has privileges at the hospital that's a really bad sign and you'll know you need a new doc. If the hospital has no problem with the OB it's more than likely the practice that is the problem.
    Report Reply
  • Bombmom3Bombmom3 member
    It can be tricky finding a doctor willing to take on a high risk pregnancy this far along but I would say that is your best option. Just start calling clinics in your network like crazy and explain the situation. In the mean time, get all of your records printed out ASAP so you can expedite that part of the process (since everyone at that clinic is probably going to do the same thing and the front desk is going to be SWAMPED.

    Last thing is to see what your hospital's policy is about general on call OBs - if you cannot find someone to take you on at a practice you may have to just walk in to the ER or to L&D and have whoever is on board do your section. Not ideal but better than having a crash c-section when you go into labor :neutral:
    Report Reply
  • NellieHarringtonCarterNellieHarringtonCarter member
    I can't offer much more than what the PPs have said, but I'm so sorry you are going through this right now! The OB for my first pregnancy quit unexpectedly when I was 18 weeks, so definitely not as stressful as what you are going through, but she at least gave me the numbers of two other OBs I would switch to. 

    I agree that the best course this late in the game is to call the hospital and speak with them. It's possible that if those two OBs literally just quit, that the office might be in panic mode, but they also might be coordinating with the hospital on possible game plans for all of their soon-to-be moms, too. Then again, the OB's office might just be a hot mess/sinking ship. Either way, I would call the hospital. :) 

    Good luck!
    Report Reply
  • sardavbaksardavbak member
    Thanks everyone! So I actually just saw on a local Mom group on Facebook that someone else was able to get a nurse to tell them what happeed.... basically they are starting their own practice. I am considering following them to the new practice, but I found out they're not delivering at the same hospital I am all registered to deliver at, and I'm a little uneasy following them to the new practice when I'm this close since it's brand new and I'm not sure if they're really organized yet. 

    The current practice had 4 doctors total - 3 did OB and 1 did GYN exclusively. The remaining OB I had a bad experience with and feel very uneasy having her do my delivery. The doctor who was doing only GYN is now filling in to handle the overload of OB patients they have. I read his bio online and he seems very accomplished, but I haven't met him yet as I've had all my appointments with the two who left... I'm so confused about whether I should just stick it out and see if the doc who normally does GYN can do my delivery (and then change practices after delivery) or if it's worth the stress of trying to change pratices this late in the game with a high-risk pregnancy... ugh! I'm waiting for their surgical scheduler to call me back right now, since when I spoke to her yesterday she didn't know who would be covering the hospital on 12/9 when I am supposed to have my c-section. I'll probably make a decision after I speak to her (she PROMISED to call before noon - we'll see!) 

    I appreciate all the support so much!! D15 moms are the best :) 
    Report Reply
  • redfallonredfallon member
    This is just so crazy. I can't believe it happened and when you're so close. I hope that you're able to get things figured out!

    Jamie


    Lilypie Third Birthday tickers


     Lilypie First Birthday tickers

    Report Reply
  • ammnam14ammnam14 member
    Oh my I'm sorry you have to go through this! PPs offered a lot of great advice. Definitely find a different provider in your network. I switched providers last week because I just wasn't happy with my practice and wanted my LO to have the best care possible. Good luck and I hope it all gets resolved soon!
    Report Reply
  • browneyes_326browneyes_326 member
    ACarter0914 said:

    Doctors don't just "quit" unless there's something more going on. I'd definitely find another practice ASAP

    This! And as other PPs said even if it was just a not so smooth way for 2 OBs to leave together for a new office, this practice you are at currently is going to be scrambling ... Not what you need!

    I wish you all the luck!!
    Report Reply
  • TomekiaBTomekiaB member
    Do the 2 OBs that left still have privileges at the hospital you are delivering at? Politics between private practice and hospitals are interesting and the move may have caused them to forfeit their privileges at your hospital due to the contract their previous practice had and possible non-compete clauses. I know that when I worked for a contract company technically if my employer had lost the contract the hospital would have been forbidden to hire me--I am not sure if it would have been enforced or not.
    Report Reply
  • JElizbettyJElizbetty member
    Oh wow and I was complaining because my OB recently had an injury and is out till Jan. Seeing a stranger for these last weeks has been weird to me. It sucks dealing with a new OB and all they know about you is what they see on the charts. I agree with PP's I'd find a new practice too.
    Report Reply
  • NellieHarringtonCarterNellieHarringtonCarter member
    @VesperLove made a really good point that reminded me about something relevant I forgot to mention in my comment. I actually switched hospitals at the last minute for my first pregnancy, even though I had all the testing and pre-registering done at a different hospital. It really didn't make much difference, really, since my OBs office had all of my info and just transferred it there when he scheduled my induction. Granted, I didn't have a complicated pregnancy and my OB wasn't starting a new office, he just had privileges at both hospitals and that was the one he was going to be at the most that day anyway. So if you like your original OB and their new office can accommodate you, you might consider just sticking with him, since he's the one that knows you and your pregnancy the best. I would also call your original OB and ask their opinion about switching hospitals for your particular situation, if that is what you think you might want to do. 

    Of course, in the end, it's all about what you are comfortable with. 
    Report Reply
  • rmj28rmj28 member
    edited November 2015
    I switched doctors at week 32, and they were happy to take new patients up to delivery. I picked up my medical records from one office and drove down to the other and dropped them off.
    My new doctor was incredible through my delivery and now she's a part of my post-partum support system. Switching doctors/offices should not be an issue at any point in your pregnancy. Good luck!

    ETA: I was high risk after two losses and my pregnancy having been with a child with Down syndrome. We were under care of the children's hospital and still - no trouble finding a new doc.
    Report Reply
  • CmagnoCmagno member
    I didn't get to read all the responses but could you see if your OB is going to a new practice and you could follow them? That might be the simplest option?
    Report Reply
  • MerBotMerBot member
    edited November 2015
    Bombmom3 said:

    It can be tricky finding a doctor willing to take on a high risk pregnancy this far along but I would say that is your best option. Just start calling clinics in your network like crazy and explain the situation. In the mean time, get all of your records printed out ASAP so you can expedite that part of the process (since everyone at that clinic is probably going to do the same thing and the front desk is going to be SWAMPED.

    Last thing is to see what your hospital's policy is about general on call OBs - if you cannot find someone to take you on at a practice you may have to just walk in to the ER or to L&D and have whoever is on board do your section. Not ideal but better than having a crash c-section when you go into labor :neutral:

    +1. Exactly this. Hopefully they can take you at the new practice; but get your records no matter what. Sometimes old practices close suddenly or new ones don't start up smoothly.
    Report Reply
  • BostonBaby1BostonBaby1 member
    I'm sorry that this happened. It's incredible! I would definitely try to go with the new practice. You like both of those doctors so my guess is that everything will be pretty much the same once you're in an operating room going to have a C-section. I would call up your old office on Monday morning and asked them to please put your records together ASAP to be picked up later on that same day. No matter what you do you, you are going to want to have those records.
    Report Reply
Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"