Hi everyone! Sorry if this is long.... FTM here, hoping for advice!
I am 12.5 weeks along now, found out we were pregnant at 4.5 weeks. My doctor confirmed it and referred me to a local ob, who called a week later with a pre-booked appt over 4 weeks from then (at 9 weeks).
When that day finally came, we showed up early and ready with our list of questions etc. In the waiting room, they let everyone know that our OB was running late due to something at the hospital. So our appt was one hour behind, but we got in. No urine test, but he assigned an ultrasound and blood work for me to do and checked my weight & blood pressure. He said that the ultrasound techs wouldn't allowed to tell or show us anything, but that he'd give us the dating results etc himself at an appt we made for the next week.
We had the ultrasound that same week (9.5). It was amazing- the tech was SO nice, invited my husband in at the end and showed us both our baby, and the flickering heartbeat! We didn't expect that based on what OB had said, so we were overjoyed. Even took a photo home! He did not give us the dating results, which was fine, as we had our OB appt for the following Monday.
Morning of appt, OB office called us cancelling our appt due to something that came up with the OB. We rescheduled for 2 days later. That was ALSO cancelled by them the morning of, something about the computer being down. They couldn't even reschedule us until mid may (!!!), so I asked if our doctor could at least give us our dating results over the phone. He still hasn't called and it's been over one week.
Is this all weird? Or impression/fear is that this might happen all throughout the pregnancy. Our due date was given by my doctor from my LMP. I know these can differ w/US so really still don't know officially where were at. Should we find a new OB? Or is this kind standard? I don't want them to push us around since we're first timers and wouldn't know difference. Thanks for your help.
Re: Is our OB WAY too busy?!
There are a lot of websites where patients can review doctors. You could probably check those out to see if this doctor habitually has delays/cancellations.
But my biggest piece of advice is to go with your gut. You want the best care for you and your little one so you need to be happy and comfortable with who you are seeing.
All that being said, I think your experience is going to vary greatly based on your geographic location. There is a primary care physician shortage in many places in the US, so yes- it is possible that you may find the same type of experience with another Dr, particularly if you live in a more rural area or an area with a higher percentage of people living poverty. Also, if you have an insurance that doesn't reimburse physicians well, you could find this experience other places that the your insurance since Drs have to take more patients to pay their bills.
If if I were you, I'd ask around locally and see if what you're experiencing is normal. I agree with PP, it doesn't sound like things will change based on what your describing.
Good luck!
certain amount of time based on what they're being seen for and it only takes one anxious mom asking a lot of questions to put him behind. And my OB works out of a hospital so I know he's constantly running from his office to L&D. With that being said, if you're unhappy, check out another OB. When I was pregnant with my first, I met with a couple OBs and and picked the one I liked best.
obviously if you're not happy, switch, but with the nature of obstetrics, a little compassion for why you're waiting might change your mind.
MMC 01/26/12
MC 12/25/12, D&C 01/05/13
BFP 03/05/13, EDD 11/12/13. HB 175 @ 9w2d. Its a Girl!
DX with EA/TEF Type C & Tracheomalaysia
MC @ 13wks 01/15/15
BFP 1/11/18, EDD 9/21/18
MMC 01/26/12
MC 12/25/12, D&C 01/05/13
BFP 03/05/13, EDD 11/12/13. HB 175 @ 9w2d. Its a Girl!
DX with EA/TEF Type C & Tracheomalaysia
MC @ 13wks 01/15/15
BFP 1/11/18, EDD 9/21/18
My OB schedules all my appointments with her unless she is out of the office on vacation and then will schedule with one of the other OBs. I haven't been cancelled on or had a late appointment more than 20 minutes. I would completely understand a cancelled appointment every once and a while- but that's too constant for me. and I'm not a fan of no call back- you're date isn't medically vital but it's important to you.
My practice has 14 midwives on staff and 4 doctors available for emergencies. The upside is that my appointments never get cancelled... the downside is that I may have someone I've never met deliver my baby. I think you need to figure out whats more important to you and go from there. And like PPs said, go with your gut. You want to be comfortable with your care during this scary/exciting/important time.
My first OB took a week to call me to schedule my d&c after my first pregnancy was found to be a miscarriage. My second OB had a plan for me the same day.
2010: Infertility
October 2015: missed miscarriage #2 at 11 weeks (trisomy 22)
I also really like the PP who mentioned meeting the other doctors in the hospital unit- I agree, that would be weird having someone deliver it baby who I have never met.
I do think a certain amount of this falls on your shoulders though. If it's been a week and you haven't heard anything? I would have waited 2 days max and then called back for more information. You aren't at their mercy, you are about to pay them a ridiculous amount of money to handle the birth and care of your child. There is a certain amount of accountability that needs to be clear to them.
Kittens22 said: w
2010: Infertility
October 2015: missed miscarriage #2 at 11 weeks (trisomy 22)
All that to say listen to your gut, ask around or visit different practices, and figure out where you feel most comfortable. You have plenty of time to switch before November.
But her assistant is very nice and when I went back for the ultrasound later that week, she weighed me and ordered some of the extra bloodwork. I think I just accept that this is one of those kinds of doctors where things come up. And if she were in too big a hurry to call me back it would be because something is wrong, so I am glad I am too boring to be her big emergency :-)
With my second delivery I had my family doctor, she came to the hospital after I was admitted, spent the night, and delivered my baby. I know I was lucky to have this experience, because it's not all that common these days, but I loved it. She was so supportive and because I was comfortable with her, it all just seemed perfect. It did help that I had an easier labor. But I definitely cared who was delivering me and having someone I was comfortable with made a difference. I could have cared less who was in the room at the time, but the actual doctor made a difference.
My H's job switched insurance, so I unfortunately cannot use her again. This is my first time using an OB as my doctor the whole time. The doc I am going to has great recommendations, but I have learned that she won't necessarily deliver, and also that I am not supposed to have appts with the other doctors who might. I am going to talk with her about all of that before I decide to stick with her. It's important you feel comfortable. Looking into options in your area sounds like a great idea.
BFP 3.8.16 EDD 11.20.16
The great part of this set up is that not every provider will be scheduled in the hospital all the time. So some doctors are just in the office some days, no matter what. You can't be bumped because they had to go to the hospital, because one of the other doctors will be there instead.
I don't LOVE all the doctors, but I TRUST them all to handle my pregnancy, delivery, and any complications that might arise with all the professionalism and experience I need to be safe. And to me, that is the most important thing!