OB doctor ?????

Question

I previously had a wonderful OB doctor who saw me through my difficult pregnancy and delivered my first son... I am now pregnant again... and have a new insurance company that his office does not accept.. so I have had to switch OB doctors for this pregnancy. I am 28 weeks now and am still not "comfortable" with this new doctor's office... it is a lot different from my first doctor and his staff. I actually have not even seen the doctor. I have appointments with her, but every time I go in.. something "comes up" and I see the nurse practitioner instead. I have talked to other women who say it is typical to not see the doctor until your last few months but since this was not the experience I had with my first pregnancy.. it worries me.. Is this really typical? What are some ways that I can find more information on this doctor other than what the staff at her office tells me?

Answer 1

Start complaining long and hard. First to your present doctor's office (always keeping in mind that she can decide to NOT treat you at all). Then to your insurance carrier. (A lot of good THAT will do, but at least your unhappiness with them will be registered.)

What are the possibilities of you going back to your old insurance carrier, that would be recognized by your old OB? Is it the fact that your employer has changed carriers (maybe because they were cheaper?). If this is the case I would start complaining to the employer that this new insurance carrier has such a lousy reputation that the only doctors you can see aren't worth the cost of their certificates. And maybe this is your best option....get the company to change back to the old carrier (or at least a more reputable one that would allow you your choice of OB).

Answer 2

My ob/gyn's office had four doctors, and I took turns seeing a different doctor during each visit. I've never heard of seeing a nurse up until your baby is delivered. That's ridiculous. By doing that, you're basically having a stranger deliver your baby. :(

28 weeks isn't too late--start looking for a new ob/gyn NOW. Go to your insurance company's website and do a provider search. When you narrow it down to 4 or 5 offices that are close to your home or work, call them all and ask questions--Do I have my regular appointments with the obs themselves, or with a nurse? What hospitals do they have privileges at, etc.

Answer 3

I got a midwife for this reason. I dont like doctors, theyre too busy and stressed to be there when you need them.

A Nurse/Midwife is trained in all things OB, and functions under an actual OB. So long as youre healthy and the baby is healthy she can provide you with everything you need.

Ive heard many people say you cant see an actual doctor unless something is critically wrong, and usually by then its a neonate doctor in the hospital.

I dont like nurses because they always try to be doctors.

But midwives are great.

I'd shop around for a better doctors office. While its not uncommon to not see the doctor, it is poor practice on the doctors part. Get an OB's office with a couple doctors in it. Or consider a midwife. Theyre covered by all major insurance companies so long as they work out of a doctors office or hospital.

Theyre much better in the delivery room anyway.

Answer 4

I see my doctor at every appointment. If not her, then her partner at the office, which he's an OB too. They are great. My OB didn't deliver my daughter though. The top dawg doctor at the hospital did, with help of a med student. My OB was working too many hours and performing emergency c-sections and the hospital wouldn't let her work any more hours.
I hope she delivers this time. You can always ask for patient references? But I don't know if they have the right to give out personal information like that.

Answer 5

i see my ob every visit the only visit i saw a intern my doc was called to do a emergency c section was not available. This is my 4Th pregnancy 3rd baby with everyone i saw a nurse and then the doctor. Not sure if it's common i never experienced that it's late to be switching you could go at 37 weeks ONLY 9 WEEKS AWAY!. You could try to find a new ob i would let it ride unless something is very concerning to you.

Answer 6

Search for the doctors name online. See if anyone has been complaining about her. It doesn't sound right to me. By the time I was 28 weeks pregnant I had saw my OB about 15 times. The only time I didn't see the OB at the appointment was the first appointment when the nurse gives you all your info and your prenatal vitamins and stuff.

If you go to http://www.babycenter.com and sign up, and go to the regional boards and find one for your state, you can ask if anyone has used her before. There are lots of great boards there that you can use too.

Answer 7

Call your insurance company maybe they will pay a certain portion with your old doctor do some research about how much they cover for an out of network Dr. At least you would be comfortable. Also check with other OB offices. Maybe your old OB will refer you to a Dr you might be more comfortable with. Good luck

Answer 8

I dont think that ir right, I'm 22 weeks pg and I've seen my OB 5 times by now. Ask what's going on, demand being seen by an OB, that's what you're paying for, not for a nurse. Google her and/or do some research to find out what's up with her

Answer 9

Well, I wouldn't stand for it. My doctor is extremely busy, but in my first and so far in this pregnancy, I have NEVER seen only a nurse instead of her. She has cancelled twice and rescheduled with us, but I would not put my baby's life in anyone else's hands, especially if a difficult. And I am curious how many woman go through this, that is unheard of where I am from, you see the doctor, not the nurse in all situations.

Answer 10

go with your gut. take me for instance (ill make it brief). my ex-ob/gyn was never in the office, never answered calls and the staff was extremely slow. every time i saw her she forgot what we talked about at our last appointment. however, i kept going to see her because the office was nearby and it was easy to travel with my first Daugher. anyway,on the day of my c-section she did not sticth me up correctly and i started bleeding internally. another doctor, had to go back into the incision and redo the surgery. so please, if u feel uncomfortable, don't be afraid to swicth doctors because your life and your health and babies health is most important. im telling you this because i went through same thing and its best to be safe then sorry later. a doctor who doesn't have time for u, dose not care about u or your babies health. (he/she may just be about the $$$). i hope this helps.