If I refuse tests such as blood tests in my prenatal care, can my OB refuse provide care for me?

Question

I'm a military spouse, so my choices are pretty limited in regard to hospitals if I want my insurance to cover the costs. With my first pregnancy I felt like a lab rat, sometimes being "required" to come in as often as 3 times a week for testing. I do NOT want to repeat this now that I am expecting again. I want as limited care as possible. I know I have the right to refuse care, but just how much can I refuse before my OB can say they will not provide service?

Answer 1

THREE TIMES A WEEK???? That sounds extremely excessive. I think I got bloods taken twice my whole pregnancy, and that included the HIV/other infection screen which was optional. What on earth are they testing you for? To those who say "it's all for the health of your baby" - well, if all those extra tests are making mommy stressed, then that's not so good for the baby. So it's better to cut down to the tests that are REALLY necessary.

I would suggest making an appointment to talk to your doctor and discuss it with him/her. You can explain that you don't feel comfortable with all these tests and ask which ones are absolutely necessary. They are probably testing everyone for everything just to cover themselves, instead of evaluating which patients are low or high risk. In the UK, for example, low-risk mothers don't get a glucose test for gestational diabetes. It's not necessary.

Or you could call your local free clinic and ask which tests they perform. You can be sure that those are the only ones which are really necessary. Then just get your OB to do those ones. Do your research first and take printouts of what you find to your appointment with your doctor. I don't see how they can refuse care if you can demonstrate that you are taking responsibility for your health.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

What were they testing you for 3 times a week? I work in obstetrics and I have never heard of that here in the U.S. or abroad, unless you have had or are being treated for something else as well. If you do not have a pre-existing condition that you are aware of, you have a right to know what they are testing for, so go ahead and ask. You also have the right to refuse any kind of medical treatment. Doctors really won't ever refuse service to any patient. However they will let you go as a patient to cover their ASSESts to make sure they are not responsible if you refuse services and something happens to the baby. You can always go find another doctor. Just remember though that you do have the choice and it is yor right to refuse any kind of service, and you may also get a second opnion at any time during your care.

Answer 4

Hmmmmmmmmmm. Yes, they can refuse care. Here's the deal.....WTF kind of doctor were you going to that you had to go get bloodtests 3 times a week.

If there is something seriously wrong...you might have to go that much.

I am having a very normal prego and I've been 2 times in the 6 months i've been prego. Once at my 1st appt to test for the usual crap...and then once for my Quad Screen

BTW. You do have a choice on many things. On my second blood test, it was for a Quad Screen withich is not mandatory. I didn't have to have it if i didn't want to.

I say, sit down with your doc, say, I want limited care, only the things i really need. Let him know that you had a negative experience with your previous prenatal care and you would really be happy if it goes better this time.

If you are paying for care, then you have a right to know if its routine, necessary, or if you don't really have to have it done.

Answer 5

I'm not american but I live by the border near a military base and I'm always hearing ads for a health insurance company for military families that let's you have non-military doctors.

Tell your doctor plainly how you felt the last pregnancy about the tests and that you would like to limit the amount of care/tests for this pregnancy. If they're helpful, they'll make a plan for you that limits this. I would do this before getting drastic, you might find a sympathetic ear.

Answer 6

I think they really want you have the initial blood test, since it helps determine if your hormone levels are where they should be. If they arent there are things they can do to sometimes to avoid a miscarriage. Most of the other tests are optional though, such as the AFP tests. I have never gotten hat test because it's not very accurate and there are so many false positives. Most doctors dont care if you skip that test. Just talk it all out with your doctor on the first visit.

Answer 7

Your OB can refuse you care for whatever reason he feels like when it comes to you refusing tests. It just depends how s/he feels about it. There may be some things that they are willing to let you skip because of personal preference, but other things are mandatory. You just need to talk to him/her. They won't just kick you out, but they will refer you to another OB. This was the case for my friend.

Also, I'm military as well, and as long as all the tests were ordered by the doctor, I never had to pay for anything. I had a complication with my last pregnancy and they payed for all the extra care I needed. With my second pregnancy, I went in for emergency stress tests several times and they were covered as well.

If its for the baby..... I wouldn't refuse something that was the best for my baby. That's just me though.

I would also suggest asking Tri-Care about a possible mid-wife rather than an OB. They may cover that.

Answer 8

You can do whatever you want to do, it's your body. I would suggest doing research for other doctor options. Blood tests and other tests are really for you and your baby's health and safety. I hate and dread getting them but I know it is for the best. I'm not sure why your doctor is requiring you to come in 3 times a week, that seems a little much. It depends on how far along you are I guess. Are you at risk for any diseases with these pregnancies? Maybe that's why the doctors have you come in so often. Maybe search out other pregnant women in the military and get their opinions on what they did and which doctors they went to. Good Luck.

Answer 9

Talk to the OB and let him/her know what you want or don't want. The doctor will let you know what is absolutely necessary and what you can "slide" with. Just always keep in mind that these tests are being done to make sure of the health of your baby.

I would have given anything to be in your shoes. We were never able to have children. I would have personally sawed off a leg without anesthetic if it meant that I could have had a baby.

Congratulations on your upcoming new little one.

Answer 10

3 times a week? you don't usually go in but once for blood work....maybe there was something wrong. cuz you go in once to confirm and then the next for your ultrasound and actual first visit with the pap and blood work then they shouldn't draw your blood again. then you come in every month until 30 something weeks then every 2 weeks until you are term then its every week. you should have to go in anymore than that. you might wanna ask why all the testing cuz soemthing might be wrong. or they might just be freaks.