How would you handle this situation?

Question

I am currently 25 weeks pregnant. I have HARD pregnancies (preeclampsia, preterm labor, low lying placenta, etc.) I called my doctors office last week to talk about how the baby wasn't moving like she had been. The nurse told me not to worry because I didn't know what I was feeling. (Did I mention this is my 4th baby?) I called this morning at 11 to see about some itching, pains in my rib cage, watery discharge, etc. Just some concerns I had. The nurse said she would talk with the doctor and get back to me. I waited 3 1/2 hours and called back. Left a message for the nurse. Missed her call back 4 hours after the original call and she left a message stating that she didn't know why I was calling again and that the doctor didn't have a chance to look at my chart yet because "when she is in the office she is working." I thought part of her job was to take care of the patients with problems? What would you do? I don't want to see another doctor. How would you handle it? Thanks

It has now been over 6 hours. I give up!

Answer 1

i have a story myself. my 3rd pregnancy, my doctor who i went to with the first 2 pregnancies said she couldn;t take me as her patient. (she is a family practice dr that also delivered babies) because i was considered high risk. she delivered my still born daughter at 21 weeks (prego #1) and my care was transferred to a specialist with prego #2 when i had to be air evacced to a nearby city because i was in labor in my 2nd trimester. she reffered me to another dr in the area that handles high risk pregnancies like mine. (oh, when i was air evacced with prego #2 i was 26 weeks and 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced but was able to stop my labor long enough to make it to 32 weeks when my oldest was born) well, all through prego #3 i would have cramps and other problems and when i would call the office i would get the run around for like 15 min untill the nurses would FINALLY listen to my history and then they say "WOW! we probably better get you in to be seen then...this could be a sign of preterm labor" duh! well, needless to say, i ended up having to go back down to the specialists in another city (luckily WITHOUT hospitalization this time). but some times you have GOT to be a pain in the butt to get through. insist on speaking to another nurse or the dr herself! if you can't get through, call the OB ward at your hospital and see what THEY say. be persistant and you MAY find that next pregnancy you will be better suited for another dr. BUT if you DO get through to your dr...tell her (nicely) how you felt about the nurse's responce...tell her that you DO understand that they are busy, but you are truely worried and with your history....you want everything to be okay....good luck, and i TOTALLY hear you!

oh, i forgot to add, i did have one VERY frustrating experience with ONE of the drs in that practice....i could have sued her for malpractice. i didn't of course, but apparantly we did make our case known to the head dr and now that other dr is no longer with that practice....so speaking up DOES help....my pregnancy went fine and daughter #2 was born at 36 weeks....but more unneeded stress which caused effacement coulda been prevented!

Answer 2

The next time you call the office find out the name of the nurse who took your message. When you finally see your doctor be sure to let them know that if their nurse is going to respond this way when you call in the future that you will look for another doctor. You are right, they do get paid to take care of their patients and you shouldn't have to feel like you are putting a burden on anyone. You are going through enough. If you still have the concerns that you were calling about earlier then please go to the ER. You need to know as soon as possible if everything is ok. Good Luck to you.

Answer 3

I would schedule an appointment and bring it up to the doctor and nurse then. You wont get them to listen to your concerns by just showing up, they are probably really busy (but not too busy to answer your questions and concerns). Maybe the doctor needs to look at a getting a new nurse.. you probably aren't the first to complain. Next time you have some concerns, just make an appointment or go to the ER.. this way, if its something serious you dont risk waiting for her to call back for 4 hours and something bad happening. I understand why you dont want to switch doctors but if when you complain to the doctor and he doesn't seem to take your complaints seriously, I would get another doctor. Take Care

Answer 4

I feel your pain 100%. My OB was the SAME way. When I was pregnant with my 3rd child he still made me feel like everything was in my head. I never felt like I got the attention I needed.

That is what is wrong with our medical field today. Doctors are pushed for time, charged ungodly malpractice premiums and its taking its toll on how patients are being treated. Less time for us, less diagnostic care, etc...

I had to get a new OB. I suggest you look into that as well. You deserve better care.

Answer 5

This is not your first pregnancy, and you know your body and how you are feeling better than any doctor or nurse. If you have a feeling, trust it. Valid or not, if you feel you need checked just go to the ER and be checked. Better to be over cautious and safe, than the alternative.

Answer 6

Call back and ask to speak with the office manager. Tell her that you are very unhappy with the nurse whom is returning your calls and that you feel she is rude then request that another nurse handle your questions from this point forward. Congratulations!

Answer 7

That's really messed up. I would go to the hospital and get checked out, then call up there and let them know how disappointed I am about the treatment ( or lack of ) that I was receiving. Remind them that you are the patient and it is their job to take care of you. Good luck and I'll pray for you.

Answer 8

I'd call again and mention the fact that you're the patient and that you're very concerned. If they refuse to take you seriously, I'd change doctors or talk to the doctor about her staff treating you badly. Good luck!

Answer 9

If you're having watery discharge then that could mean you're water is leaking ( i was having the same thing and it ended up my water was leaking!) I think you should go to the ER cause they will ask you who you're doctor is and when they call her/him that will let you're doctor know something was up and then maybe she could fuss at that stupid nurse!

Answer 10

wow that's harsh. My doctor's office usually just tells me to come in no matter what kind of freak out I'm having.
But really maybe you should hurry and find another doctor. Go to ER they check out everything. but then usually tell you to go to your doctor the next day.