I am almost 30 weeks pregnant and am thinking I am probably going to change doctors. I just feel like my current doctor doesn't have much of a bedside manner. He doesn't explain much and I have to ask him what the results of any tests were. He doesn't volunteer the info at all. I actually like it better when there is a student with him because I can get more information as he is explaining to the student. This is my second pregnancy so I don't have too many questions but I would like some info as he is doing the checkup. I am not even sure what I want to know. The heartrate would be nice, etc. I am also concerned that he may not explain much during the delivery. He may just do what he wants and not give us many options. He doesn't have a partner in his practice so I can't just switch that way and if there is a problem or I have a questions when he is out (ie vacations, day off, etc.) I have to go to the hospital.
Ok, so my question is this... Have you ever changed doctors this late in a pregnancy? Was it difficult to get in to see the new doctor and what was needed? Did you have to re do any tests (like Glucose, etc.) or was all of the info in your file? Was it hard to get your file to the new doctor? Do you know if ultrasounds were included in the file?
Thanks in advance for your input.
H.
Kinda late for this as my DD is now 1-1/2 but I changed docs and was and am extremely happy with them!
Definitely! I am pregnant with my second child due in a few weeks and switched at 26 weeks. Good luck.
Having worked in a women's clinic I can't even count the hundreds of women who switched into our clinic in their 2nd & 3rd trimesters. Every single one was just so HAPPY to do so. Relieved. And very vocal about how happy they were that they chose to do so. (Conversely, we also lost patients who found better "fits" elsewhere).
Your body. Your baby. Find a doc you click with.
And files are EASY. Your new doc just has you sign a small stack of forms, and they all get faxed over to their office or messengered over. You don't have to do a durn thing except autograph.
I switched between months 5-6 during my 1st pregnancy because I continued to have a terrible experience with the doctor I was seeing. I was only 20 years old and about to face life as a single parent. Everytime I left his office I cried. Here I was doing the right thing by my standards and he made me feel even worse. Thank God I left his practice!!!!! He wouldn't order epidurals for his patients. He was definitely a male chauvinist practicing medicine for females....... CRAZY! This was 16 years ago and I'm still so thankful today that I stood up for myself and my needs and wants and found someone who was a better fit.
All of my tests that I had up until that point were transferred over. I believe the doctor that I switched to actually got all of the results for me so I didn't even have to walk in that man's office again.
You definitely have a choice here. Go ahead and make the switch.
I have had 2 more children in the past 3 years with great experiences. I go to an all female practice with 4 incredible doctors. It's in Crystal Lake and it's called Woman to Woman. They even offer spa services! They deliver at Good Shepherd in Barrington. If you're close enough I'd totally recommend them. Make an appointment then treat yourself afterwards to a prego massage!!!
You should absolutely switch. I switched at about that time with my 1st pregnancy cue to a move and it was no problem. You need to be comfortable and confident with your doctor as they will be the one with you when you give birth. If you are tense around your doc, this could have a negative effect on your birthing experience. You can post on here to get recommendations on a new doc too :O)
Congrats and best of luck!!!
This is my third pregnancy, and I'm on my third doctor. My husband and I moved to a new state when I was about 32 weeks along. I have not had to redo any of the tests because they were already in my file. It did take a while for that file to be sent to the new doctor. (Legally, at least in IL, they have 30 days to transfer medical records.) So it might take a little longer to transfer than you were hoping.
It was not difficult to see the new doctor because when I called, I let them know that I was 32 weeks along, new to the area, etc, etc. I think it is only difficult to get in if you don't tell them right away that you need to be seen because you are pregnant and will deliver soon.
I am not sure if my ultrasounds were included in the file, but the results of them were. My new doctor had a new ultrasound done anyway because it had been a while and she wanted to be sure of everything.
It is a tough transition to make, either way, because you want what is best for you and your new little one, but it's kind of scary finding a new doctor. Just take your time (easier said than done sometimes!), interview the doctor or nursing staff, and you will be fine.
Good luck!
You can change doctors at any time...I wish I had with my first. The new doctor can request your file and get all your records without a problem. Call the new doc, let them know how far along you are so that they can quickly get the information they need before your first appointment with them.
Change the doctor. It will be fine. The nurses do most of the work during the delivery anyway.
I changed doctors at about 25 weeks, and it was the best thing I ever did. If you are not comfortable with the doctor, by all means change. I just found the doctor that I wanted to switch too, and called the office explaning the situation, and it was very smooth. It was actually at a completely different hospital and everything.
Ask the new doctor what they need, and be honest with the doctor you are leaving as well. I did not do any extra test, but he did his own ultrasounds etc. I guess it might depend on how your insurance is too.
Hope this helps, but I definately say, if you are uncomfortable, switch, it makes the entire experience better. BTW, this was for the birth of my fourth child.
I was about 7 months along with I changed Dr's.
My female Ob/Gyn was nice but something just didn't sit well with me about her.
I had a trip to the ER and that is when my current Dr. from the same practice, was on duty and he was amazing. The female Dr. ended up leaving the practice and going out on her own pushing skin care procedures, Ob/Gyn, etc. I think she was not in it for the right reasons.
It is true.....the nurses (and you) do most of the work!
I didn't change that late...only 15 weeks, but what I had to do was pay to get a copy of all of the records and tests otherwise they would make me redo them. Yes, the ultrasound was in my file. Make sure you are comfortable with who you are going to deliver with. We were SO much happier that we switched. It was a good delivery that way.
Hi, I might be going against the grain a little bit here so bear with me. Have you spoken to your doctor at all about this? Have you asked him to talk to you during the exam and to explain what he is doing/why he is ordering tests, what the results mean etc?> I would think that before switching I would ask if he is able to be more vocal etc? Sometimes things during that last month or so of pregnancy things that are not a biggie early on are a huge thing later. I would talk to him before jumping ship. But just my thoughts. Good luck
Hi H.,
We might have the same doctor. They told me that the office policy is if you don't hear from them regarding tests, then everything is fine. When I have had a less than perfect test result (which I did recently) they called me immediately with instructions and an explanation. I always ask for details and they give them to me without a problem. Maybe just talk to him if you feel that way. My doctor also has a physician's assistant who is very knowledgeable. This is my third pregnancy with the doctor and I can assure you that he is absolutely fantastic in the delivery room...my second baby was dellivered in about four minutes. If you like the doc, I would suggest talking to him. However, if you are that uncomfortable I don't think it is too late to change. Best of luck with your new little one! It seems like we are both due at the same time!
I switched doctors at 34 weeks! My OB had promised to support my decision for natural childbirth, but as time went on, it became more and clear that this was not the case. She came up with an extremely medical protocol that I was not comfortable with. At 34 weeks I switched to midwives associated with a group of OBs at Evanston Hospital. They were wonderful. My OB reluctantly faxed my stuff over to them, but she is required to by law. I was 39 and had been on blood thinners most of my pregnancy. They did their own ultrasounds and had me see some fetal specialists at the hospital to make sure I was a good candidate for natural child birth. My last 2 weeks I was in their offices every other day for stress tests to make sure all was well. I had a beautiful birth at Evanston hospital. Never be afraid to switch doctors if you are not happy with yours, especially an OB or a pediatrician. They hold your life and your child's life in their hands, and you should definitely be an informed participant in any decision making. I would also be worried that he doesn't have a partner, which means that probably hospital residents will be seeing you (and making assessments for the doctor) for most of your labor. I would bail. Find a group of medical professionals that you feel comfortable with. I loved my midwives who were with the Northshore Obstetrical Group, but there are loads of really good practices out there that might you suit you better.
Definitely. I switched at 12 weeks, for multiple reasons similar to yours but also due to feeling like I was going to be forced into things, like a csec and epidural (whether or not I needed it). Went to a highly recommended midwife, Debi Lesnick (recommended by another woman who switched to her at 8 months).
She (and another CNM, Gaye Koconis) are out of an OBGYN practice next to Evanston Hospital. LOVED my experience.
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They really listen to you, and were with me on phone and in person during my labor.
I got my paperwork from my original OB office by telling them I wanted to be able to track everything, I was just anxious, and could I pick up copies today or tomorrow?
:)
They did it, and I paid nothing. You are entitled to YOUR paperwork. You may have to pay a small fee, depending on if you have them sent to another office, but you should be able to get copies for yourself, then take them to whomever.
good luck, safe/happy birth to you!
