Community› The Bump Month Clubs› May 2016 Moms
May 2016 Moms
New Discussion

My OB just asked me to see a psychiatrist. How would you feel?

hindubarbiehindubarbie member
edited December 2015 in May 2016 Moms
I am a bit surprised. Not sure how I feel about this. I find it somewhat funny, but I also am offended. I am 16 weeks 3 days. In between my normal appointments, I went in two additional times: one at 9 weeks and at 13 weeks. At 9 weeks, the on-call nurse asked me to come because I was having bleeding for a week when I go poop. At 13 weeks, I had red spotting after a filing cabinet accidentally fell on me at work. Before I made these appointments, I always called the advisor nurse first to see what they think. Both times they asked me to come in to make sure I'm okay. Now, this morning at my regular check up with OB, she asked plainly if I have spoken with the psychiatrist or the pregnancy counselor. I was taken aback. I feel that we are encouraged to check in every time we are having some issues with our pregnancy, but just because I decided to come in which was recommended by their nurses doesn't mean I am having a psychiatric breakdown. I guess I just needed to vent. How would you take this if you were me?
Report Reply to Post

Re: My OB just asked me to see a psychiatrist. How would you feel?

  • sarawifenowsarawifenow member
    Did you ask why the OB asked you this?
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • doozer1345doozer1345 member
    Either the doctor is rude or there is some background here we don't know about that would make the doctor ask this. Meaning, have you ever told your doctor you've been depressed, anxious, etc. (usually they ask you this at your first appt).
    image
    Been married since 2009.
    Unicornuate Uterus (yes I menstruate glitter)
    Several MCs
    DD born 2013 (our miracle "you can't have babies" baby!)



    Report Reply
  • sarawifenowsarawifenow member
    hindubarbie said:

    I am a bit surprised. Not sure how I feel about this. I find it somewhat funny, but I also am offended. I am 16 weeks 3 days. In between my normal appointments, I went in two additional times: one at 9 weeks and at 13 weeks. At 9 weeks, the on-call nurse asked me to come because I was having bleeding for a week when I go poop. At 13 weeks, I had red spotting after a filing cabinet accidentally fell on me at work. Before I made these appointments, I always called the advisor nurse first to see what they think. Both times they asked me to come in to make sure I'm okay. Now, this morning at my regular check up with OB, she asked plainly if I have spoken with the psychiatrist or the pregnancy counselor. I was taken aback. I feel that we are encouraged to check in every time we are having some issues with our pregnancy, but just because I decided to come in which was recommended by their nurses doesn't mean I am having a psychiatric breakdown. I guess I just needed to vent. How would you take this if you were me?

    Oh and JIC
    Report Reply
  • AnastasiaBeaverhausen09AnastasiaBeaverhausen09 member
    Did you ask your OB why she suggested you see a psychiatrist?  What were her reasons?

    Is it possible that she can sense some high anxiety just from your general meetings?  In which case, I'm sure she is just looking out for your general well-being.  I would assume that my OB wanted me to be as healthy as possible both physically, emotionally and mentally.
    Pregnancy Ticker
    Report Reply
  • hindubarbiehindubarbie member
    I asked her if she thought I needed to. Her answer was it was up to me and only if I felt very anxious. My last appointment at 13 weeks, she was visibly annoyed that I came in. She said that I needed to relax and try to enjoy my pregnancy. I called the nurse first since I was cramping and had red spotting, and they had me come in. She saw me at 11 weeks before this happened. It seems she's translated this incident as me being mentally unstable. If they didn't want me coming in, that would have been fine too, but I was only following what the advisor nurse recommended.
    Report Reply
  • MissingchampagneMissingchampagne member
    Even if you put out a vibe of being a complete and total basket case - and I'm not saying you did - it is her job as a professional not to pass judgement and be annoyed with you. You are there for medical care, and bleeding/cramping usually warrants a checkup. If she has left a sour taste in your mouth, it is not too late to switch OB offices. Go somewhere where you'll feel comfortable and your concerns will be treated with respect.
    Report Reply
  • LadySamLadyLadySamLady member

    hindubarbie said:
    I asked her if she thought I needed to. Her answer was it was up to me and only if I felt very anxious. My last appointment at 13 weeks, she was visibly annoyed that I came in. She said that I needed to relax and try to enjoy my pregnancy. I called the nurse first since I was cramping and had red spotting, and they had me come in. She saw me at 11 weeks before this happened. It seems she's translated this incident as me being mentally unstable. If they didn't want me coming in, that would have been fine too, but I was only following what the advisor nurse recommended.
    I'm a bit confused, you asked her if she thought you should see a psychiatrist and she said yes or she said only if you felt you needed to? Or did she just bring it up on her own? Those scenarios are all very different to me. If you asked her what she thought, I don't see a problem with her giving you her honest opinion even if it wasn't what you hoped to hear. If she seemed annoyed and just told you to go see a psychiatrist, now that's another story. I agree with PP that you should consider finding a new OB if she seems annoyed that you are concerned and treats you poorly at appointments. You need a safe space where you feel comfortable expressing concerns now and come time to deliver your precious LO. I personally email my OB directly when I have questions/concerns before I call the office and she lets me know if she needs to see me (rather than going through the scheduling desk).

    Also, as someone with anxiety I wanted to put in a recommendation for therapy. I have been in weekly therapy for years and it has helped me tremendously. It is a great place to talk about my anxieties and fears about pregnancy and motherhood, and my therapist is a wonderful barometer for when my fears are rational or not. I can't say enough positive things about it.
    Report Reply
  • dshannahdshannah member
    No harm ever in seeing a counselor or psychologist or therapist or psychiatrist.  That your doctor seems to have suggested you do so with disdain is a red flag for me.

    Honestly, I think everyone should see a therapist regularly: we would all be much better-adjusted! If you can afford it, or if pregnancy makes it so that insurance covers your visits, I'd say take your doctor's recommendation and go get counseling.
    Report Reply
  • missnc77missnc77 member
    LadySamLady said:


    Also, as someone with anxiety I wanted to put in a recommendation for therapy. I have been in weekly therapy for years and it has helped me tremendously. It is a great place to talk about my anxieties and fears about pregnancy and motherhood, and my therapist is a wonderful barometer for when my fears are rational or not. I can't say enough positive things about it.
    This sounds so awesome. I had a great therapist pre-marriage, but I had to move across country post-marriage. I miss that one hour a week so, so much. I'm having a hard time dealing with my changing body, buying a house, moving states in January, and having to stay connected to work in the meantime since I work remotely. The stress is beginning to feel overwhelming, but it's so hard to find a good therapist here. I'm sure if I called someone, I couldn't been seen for a month, and then by that point, I'd have about 3 weeks before moving. I just want to go sit on someone's couch and talk about all this stuff to someone that isn't my husband.
    Report Reply
  • Pascal86Pascal86 member
    I was medicated for mild depression ten years ago, and at my first appointment my doctor was drilling into that - do I feel okay? Am I feeling sad or weird at all? And kept assuring me that we could do something about it if I felt bad at all. She was super nice, sounds like your doctor didn't handle this very well, but I got the feeling that she wanted to be extra-doubly-sure that any depression or issues were being addressed. I wonder if that's on a lot of doctors' radars, and maybe they read into things a little more than you would usually expect.
    Report Reply
  • zekesmommy611zekesmommy611 member
    It sounds to me that your doctor is just covering her bases. She may see red flags that would prompt her to bring up MH treatment. It's her job to ensure both you and the baby are safe. I would continue to be cautious during your pregnancy and seek medical advise from your OB as needed. It doesn't sound like you need MH treatment by your post, as you are only following the nurses advise but there is no shame in getting help if you do need it!
    Lilypie Pregnancy tickers Lilypie Second Birthday tickers Daisypath Anniversary tickers
    Report Reply
  • JoMunsonJoMunson member
    I agree with PPs. You don't need to be offended if she thinks you might want to check out counseling. The problem is you're calling every time you think something might be wrong, the on call nurses will ALWAYS say "come on in" to cover their ass, and the doctor will see a pattern and say "hey, if you're feeling stressed, check out a resource for that".
    Bottom line is, if you're NOT anxious or depressed or wanting someone to talk to, you don't have to.
    Report Reply
  • hindubarbiehindubarbie member
    Thank you all for your responses. I do agree that there isn't any harm in talking with a counselor or a psychiatrist should I feel the need to. I think it was the way it was communicated to me that I found off putting. I never once asked to see one nor have I ever mentioned to her that I was having anxiety of any sort because I wasn't. Of course I wanted to make sure everything was okay when I started cramping and spotting. The fact that she got annoyed because of that I think was a bit extreme. But, I also agree with some of you who say she's probably just trying to cover her bases, it's her job after all. My SO seems to agree too. Anyway, I'm better now. Baby is healthy, and I'm happy and thankful for that :smile:
    Report Reply
  • rlworzallarlworzalla member

    Is it possible that your doctor's office (or hospital) has a policy that you are not aware of that it is offered to each patient as a precaution and your doctor simply didn't suggest it in a reassuring way?  I agree that she is likely covering her bases, but she shouldn't be upset with you for coming in, especially since you called the nurses first. 

    Report Reply
  • hindubarbiehindubarbie member
    rlworzalla said:

    Is it possible that your doctor's office (or hospital) has a policy that you are not aware of that it is offered to each patient as a precaution and your doctor simply didn't suggest it in a reassuring way?  I agree that she is likely covering her bases, but she shouldn't be upset with you for coming in, especially since you called the nurses first. 

    Actually, my SO and I were discussing this. I have Kaiser, and at the beginning of each appointment they always have to ask if I feel safe at home, and that I can talk or move freely with my partner. They also have posters related to physical/mental abuse in the bathrooms. I'm not sure if it's the same for other hospitals, but that's my experience. It could be their policy? And it just wasn't communicated well.
    Report Reply
Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"