Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

I've been a patient of Dr. Hanauer for years and always liked her. This is my first pregnancy and I'm in my second trimester. I've been slightly unhappy with her throughout the pregnancy, I feel she disregards my questions too quickly, is perhaps a little too laid back and at my last appt., I even felt she gave me a little bit of an attitude. On top of this, the office is terrible at getting back with test results.

I've always liked her in the past, but now I just don't feel 100% comfortable with her.

Has anyone else been in this situation? What did you do?

Re: Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

If you have doubts, trust your intuition! I know two couples that switched at 37 and 38 weeks respectively and were glad they did - it totally changed the course of their deliveries.

Re: Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

I'm also a patient at Dr. Hanauer's office for years and I have my first OB appt. with her July 5. I also have concerns about the office sometimes being down right unreachable on the phone and let's not mention how I skeeve the bathroom in that office....
I'm interested in knowing what she has been lax about b/c I am also thinking hard about bailing on that office....

Re: Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

I Switched OBs at 20 weeks and it was the best decision I ever made.

But I would call Drs cause not all will take new patients that are well into their pregnancy

Re: Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

Sorry to crash.. but I know what it's like to have a miserable experience with an OB. In my opinion, if you are uncomfortable NOW then I'd consider finding someone new. I carried to 17wks and was unhappy and wanted to switch- but the pregnancy ended before I had the chance to.

Message edited 6/28/2012 5:20:32 PM.

Re: Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

I love my OB so much, but sometimes his office does not run efficiently. They also take FOREVER with getting back to you with test results.

Actually, I always end up having to call for my results bc if I don't they will wait 2 weeks before they call.

I actually had a little tiff with one of the receptionists last week. I had a urine culture done to check for a UTI at the same time they did a ton of bloodwork for genetic diseases, and to see if I'm immune to things. Anyway, urine cultures usually take 3 days to come back. So I called asking for the results and they tried telling me that I had to wait 10 days bc it was sent out with the blood work so the lab will send them back together.

I said, are you kidding me. You want me to wait 10 days to know if I have a UTI??? By that time it will spread to my bladder and kidneys. I got so pissed and was completely dumbfounded.

Finally she goes, alright well we will call the lab and see if we can get the urine results. 10 mins later they called back w/ the results.

Why should I have to go through all that though? I honestly think I'm going to complain to my OB about their test result calling policy at my next appt. I suggest if you're not happy either complain or find another dr

Message edited 6/28/2012 6:03:09 PM.

Re: Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

I LOVE my dr and the way they run the office etc and it makes things so much better. If you're not happy SWITCH!

Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

I switched my OB at 9 weeks and it was the best decision I ever made. My first OB made me feel rushed and when I asked for test results she just kept telling me everything was fineeeeeee. Instead of giving me the actual values I asked for. The final straw was when I was told "There are so many doctors here, you never know who is going to deliver your baby" If you are not comfortable with the level of service they are providing either talk to her about your concerns or find a new OB.

Re: Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

imo if u r unhappy switch

Re: Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

I'm 15 weeks and I just switched to a new OB this week and so far, it was the best decision I've made!
I was not happy the way my old OB rushed through my appointments and blew me off when I had questions for him. My new doctor is incredibly compassionate and an overall great match for me. Your old doc will send all of your records to the new one so you shouldn't have to repeat anything.

Good luck! I say go for it!

Re: Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

I had her for my first pregnancy that I lost. I switchedd and the next one I lost my new male dr handled it so much better. dh even admits he likes my ob and did a great job with our son....when he did the dnc on the second one he said there was alot of extra tissue sent me for extra testing and I always wondered if its cause her office just said my numbers droped in three days and didnt make me come back til they zeroed out. ...... I also couldnt stand the wait an hour for the nurse on every scheduled appt and the dificulty reachingthem on the phone.

Re: Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

plus didnt like when I was having a mc I cled and came into her office with dh. I was waiting so long I ended up puking in the waiting room garbage....which the staff was alerted too then it too an additional half hour to be seen... over an hour waiting for what I consider emergency because of the bleeding....and the was the one day no one was waitingbefore me but people who came in after kept getting taken.

Re: Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

I switched around 18 weeks and I'm so much happier with my new doctor. I was nervous about switching too but the transition went very smoothly. The new doctor was very welcoming and the old practice didn't even seem to care that I was leaving. It was easy to get my records from them and move on.

Eta: trying starting a new post asking for OB recommendations in your area. That's how I found my new OB. Several ladies on here recommended him and I'm glad I took their advice!

Message edited 6/29/2012 6:55:06 AM.

Re: Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

I would strongly encourage you to either voice your concerns to this doctor or switch!! You need to feel like you have a voice in this experience and you need to feel safe and comfortable with your ob, as well as with the staff in the office. I wish I had done just what I'm writing - I was not feeling comfortable with multiple things that occurred during my first pregnancy but was too afraid to speak up. Good luck, it's a hard decision no matter what stage of your pregnancy you're in...

Re: Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

i ended up switching my dr at 24 weeks because i was having billing issues with the practice. The dr was very nice but her billing staff was billing my insurance incorrectly and I felt that it was some type of insurance fraud. I was frustrated and stressed about it that I made the choice for peace of mind and left.

I ended up finding out that the dr I originally wanted to see who came highly recommended by my GYN was taking my insurance again so we got lucky and I totally LOVE him.


If you're not having a good experience now I say leave because you still have time to look for a new dr and your dr is going to be your best friend when you have questions and you need to be comfortable with them.

Re: Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

I was a patient of Dolisi/Hanauer (just gave birth last week) and I have to say that the two doctors are amazing. I had three c-sections, all went smoothly, and they are very highly regarded at Winthrop.

I always have to call the office to check up on results. I would imagine with hundreds of patients that would be the fastest thing to do, but I've also called up with other doctors offices so I never expected for them to call me.

As for her rushing you and not addressing your questions I would talk to her about it. Tell her you are worried about x,y,and z and would like her to explain it a bit more. I feel that sometimes doctors in general forget that they doing this a hundred times during the day, but this is our one and only pregnancy at the time.

I also love Dolisi. He is amazing - very quick, but amazingly thorough. If you haven't seen him, you should. I felt very confident with him my entire pregnancy.

In the end you have to be comfortable, so if you're not, then you should switch,but as doctors, you are in amazing hands with the two of them.

Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

You have to be comfortable..you see a LOT of the dr. and you are in quite a position when you are delivering..no pun intended..so, be comfortable for sure!

Re: Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

Ditto.. you need a comfort level. I switched at 18-20 weeks and debated about amnio so I had to act fast. I ended up switching and now he is working with my on second pregnancy. Di it now if they do not feel right.

Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

I am in the same position as you kind of. I tried out a new OB affiliated with LIJ and loved her but didn't love the fact that she was part of a group. So I decided to go back to my regular OB who I have seen for years. And once I saw him for my first pre natal visit I felt rushed and like he was already pushing a C-section and didn't like the way the appointment went overall. So after everything I think I am going to stay with the new OB.

If you don't feel comfortable then switch. My DH made a great point. He said just because you have been with the one doc for years doesn't mean he is right for you now. So make the move if you are not 100% comfy!

Re: Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

Trust your intuition. If your not happy, look elsewhere.

Re: Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

I am in between IVF cycles and was considering her since I was due for my annual. When I called to schedule an appointment I kept getting a busy signal for hours then they finally answered and then scheduled my appointment. Did not like the fact that if I was preggo and in labor not being able to get through would p*** me off so I canceled and I am now seeing Dr. Bashian @ Long Island Womens Health in Bellmore and love her.

Seriously thinking of switching doctors and totally stressing about it...

If it's really bothering you that much I would switch