Changing OBs half way through pregnancy

I dont post a lot on here, but I'm strongly considering switching doctors. I am 25 weeks now.
In the beginning I was getting annoyed with waiting 1-2 hours for every appointment, no calls back for several days about test results etc (I have had multiple UTIs this pregnancy) but after this current week, I think I have no choice.
Tuesday I had my monthly check up. I wasnt feeling well that day. When I got there they told me my UTI culture came back positive.. 10 DAYS AFTER THEY TOOK THE SAMPLE!!! I had them do the test because I was having a lot of pain...
Unrelated it turns out I had a stomach virus or food poisoning. Called the OB office Wed because I couldnt keep anything down and they sent me to Labor and Delivery for IV fluids for dehydration.
On Thursday I called the office and asked to be checked out because I was still feeling lousy and was worried about the baby and they refused to see me. Told me to go back to Labor and Delivery ( I waited there for over 4 hours the day before) when I just wanted to be checked out and it wasnt necessary.
After 2 hours of arguing.. the other doctor who is not my doctor in the practice finally agreed to see me. Baby's heartrate was measuring only 60 when I got there and I was rushed to hospital. I had to be monitored for 2 hours etc. Everything was fine when I got there luckily, but obviously scary.
The last straw through this whole process was my actual OB was on call at hospital. She was on the floor while I was being monitored. My husband was walking to get the car to take me home and he saw her leave the hospital. Which means she was there the whole time I was there, didnt check on me, or try to see me etc.

I feel like I'm not being taken care of this pregnancy at all.
I wait 2 hours for appts sometimes and they see you for 5 minutes and run out. The other day the doctor was so frazzled I had to remind her to check the baby's heart rate with the doppler.
I know most doctor's offices are like this.. but refusing to see me when I was so sick and knowing my doctor was there at the hospital while I was being monitored for low heart rate is just unacceptable to me.
I dont feel my baby is in the best hands.. and I feel like I can trust I'm getting the best care. Being pregnant is stresfful enough.
If you made it this far in my vent, I appreciate it.
That being said I need to find a new doctor which is frustrating but I think necessary.
If anyone can recommend someone who delivers at South Nassau or LIJ or North Shore I would appreciate it.

Changing OBs half way through pregnancy

I don't have any recs because I am further east but I changed Drs at 20 weeks. I was very happy I did but I will say it might be hard to find a dr. Many won't see you that late into a pregnancy unless it was due to a move etc.

My Dr took me but said he wouldn't have if I was much later into my pregnancy.

Good Luck.

Re: Changing OBs half way through pregnancy

I understand COMPLETELY and I would definitely find a new doctor! The OB who delivered #1 had a long wait for appointments, but otherwise I did really like her so it was worth it (plus worth the 45 min drive to see her each appointment). A few years later, by the time I was ready for #2, she had become very unreliable. She would sometimes not even show up for appointments AT ALL. I would literally drive 45 min only to find out she wasn't there, and with no backup they'd just reschedule me and send me home. NOT ok with how far I was driving and how much time it took out of my schedule. Then there were other times that I waited so long and then felt rushed once I WAS seen and I didn't like that AT ALL! One of my visits, she even forgot she had just seen me two weeks prior and nobody had put it into the computer so there was no record of what had gone on. Insane to me. The worst was when I was coming in due to severe bleeding during one of the pregnancies (ended up a miscarriage). She just didn't show that day. I couldn't BELIEVE she wouldn't be there for me with what I was going through - not a routine checkup at all!! It was god-awful. That was the final straw. I told them they were unprofessional and I was done with them. I remember having a panic attack on my way out, it was so scary! I ended up just going to the ER, which was an awful experience until they found me a wonderful OB to take her place!! This woman has made me a true priority to her. About 5 minute wait and then full focus and attention during my visits. She's friendly, capable, professional, and just so kind and loving. Meanwhile, just a couple months later I found out that old OB's office was officially closed down! Apparently she'd become very flighty and was no longer a reliable OB so lots of people were dropping her and she basically lost her practice. So I thank God that I left when I did and was able to find this awesome OB to take her place before I even got pregnant with this one. All that to say, definitely follow your gut!! Yes, OBs can have a lot of patients, but you should still be a priority and should feel properly cared for!! Unfortunately I don't have any recommendations as I'm not in that area. But if I were you, I'd start searching now. If can't hurt to at least call around and see if anybody is able to take you in, even though you're later in pregnancy.

Message edited 7/6/2015 10:51:01 AM.

Changing OBs half way through pregnancy

FM sent

Re: Changing OBs half way through pregnancy

My last pregnancy I switched Dr's at 37 weeks. Best decision I have made. I go to Horizon Ob/GYN in RVC Dr.Oh and Dr.Thomlinson, they deliver at SNCH. I was in and out of the hospital for many weeks. I never had a problem with them love them both.

Re: Changing OBs half way through pregnancy

Posted by pinkiegirl

I dont post a lot on here, but I'm strongly considering switching doctors. I am 25 weeks now.
In the beginning I was getting annoyed with waiting 1-2 hours for every appointment, no calls back for several days about test results etc (I have had multiple UTIs this pregnancy) but after this current week, I think I have no choice.
Tuesday I had my monthly check up. I wasnt feeling well that day. When I got there they told me my UTI culture came back positive.. 10 DAYS AFTER THEY TOOK THE SAMPLE!!! I had them do the test because I was having a lot of pain...
Unrelated it turns out I had a stomach virus or food poisoning. Called the OB office Wed because I couldnt keep anything down and they sent me to Labor and Delivery for IV fluids for dehydration.
On Thursday I called the office and asked to be checked out because I was still feeling lousy and was worried about the baby and they refused to see me. Told me to go back to Labor and Delivery ( I waited there for over 4 hours the day before) when I just wanted to be checked out and it wasnt necessary.
After 2 hours of arguing.. the other doctor who is not my doctor in the practice finally agreed to see me. Baby's heartrate was measuring only 60 when I got there and I was rushed to hospital. I had to be monitored for 2 hours etc. Everything was fine when I got there luckily, but obviously scary.
The last straw through this whole process was my actual OB was on call at hospital. She was on the floor while I was being monitored. My husband was walking to get the car to take me home and he saw her leave the hospital. Which means she was there the whole time I was there, didnt check on me, or try to see me etc.

I feel like I'm not being taken care of this pregnancy at all.
I wait 2 hours for appts sometimes and they see you for 5 minutes and run out. The other day the doctor was so frazzled I had to remind her to check the baby's heart rate with the doppler.
I know most doctor's offices are like this.. but refusing to see me when I was so sick and knowing my doctor was there at the hospital while I was being monitored for low heart rate is just unacceptable to me.
I dont feel my baby is in the best hands.. and I feel like I can trust I'm getting the best care. Being pregnant is stresfful enough.
If you made it this far in my vent, I appreciate it.
That being said I need to find a new doctor which is frustrating but I think necessary.
If anyone can recommend someone who delivers at South Nassau or LIJ or North Shore I would appreciate it.

Changing OBs half way through pregnancy

I just delivered with Melanie Sumersille CNM and DR Seth Plancher at Winthrop and can't speak highly enough about them. Also a much better experience at Winthrop than LIJ Katz. I switched to the practice late in pregnancy

Re: Changing OBs half way through pregnancy

My friend switched halfway through. I think it's more important you like who you go to and don't worry about time frame.

Re: Changing OBs half way through pregnancy

Great Neck OBGYN - the practice is absolutely amazing and I am someone who always finds something wrong with a doctor lol

Re: Changing OBs half way through pregnancy

Thank you everyone for your replies! I ended up calling my old OB from my last pregnancy and they agreed to take me on as as a patient. I had found a new practice because we live further away now but will be worth the drive for the peace of mind.

I had a few practices say no because I was too far along.. which is kind of crazy!
Thanks again!

Re: Changing OBs half way through pregnancy

Yes, after 20 weeks, many OBs will not accept a transfer. So happy you are leaving that office! Very scary!