Have You Ever Switched OB Gyn's During Your Pregnancy??

Updated on June 01, 2010
N.H. asks from Rowlett, TX
8 answers

Hi Moms,

I have many reasons why I want to swtich and many reasons why I don't. Looking for some advice from those of you that have actually switched OB's during pregnancy or even thought about it and then changed your mind.

First, I have been with the same OB GYN for almost 10 years now. He has delivered all 3 of my kids and has always been helpful in needed situations. I feel "comfortable" with him but I'm not "crazy" for him or his bedside manner. He's always been very nice to me, but I have felt rushed and feel sometimes that he doesn't really care to answer questions I have or take the time to understand what kind of problems I'm having....he's very by the book and isn't very helpful when it comes to advice or medication advice.
Also, the drive to his office and delivering hospital is at least an hour, which means lots of traffic, time away from my kids and when I deliver, since I'll be having a C and be stayng there longer, my husband will have much longer drives back and forth to visit.

We have found an OB GYN that's closer to home, delivers at a hospital literally 5 minutes away and I would LOVE that but I'm really scared trying a new OB especially being this far along and what happens if I don't like him, will my other OB take me back? Another thing is my current OB may do a C-tuck on me during my C-section which I desperately need after having 2 C's and going on my thrid. I'm not sure if a C-tuck is something the new OB would do and I can't ask him until my first appointment with him since they don't allos me to have a consultation visit with him since my insurance doesn't cover that type of visit......

I'm sooooooo confused, there's so many reasons why I can't decide but the MAIN reason for wanting the change is because of the drving distance from my current OB. So if any of you have ever switched or even considered doing so, how did you feel about your decision? And how did you go about telling your current OB that you wanted to switch without them feeling it's personal or because you don't like them.

Thanks in advance for any helpful advice.

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C.O.

answers from Sacramento on

I thought about changing midwives, and regretted that I didn't.

I think you have a lot of good advice here. I know that doctors don't usually do interviews anymore. However, with my son's pediatrician, I spoke up and said "How can I trust you with my child, if I do not have the opportunity to first meet you and see if we are a fit!" They granted me the interview.

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D.D.

answers from New York on

Most dr offices don't care if you use them or not. With insurances changing all the time they are use to patients coming into and leaving their practices. It's not personal for them just business.

I switched obs when I was 3 months pregnant with my twins. The dr I was using told me it was almost certainly going to be a c section. Since these were my 3rd and 4th babies I thought that was odd that they wouldn't consider letting nature take it's course so I found an ob who was a little older, more experienced (actually did vbacs before it was popular to do vbacs) and felt that the decission for a c section should be made at the time of labor and delivery. I'm glad I did change because they were born naturally.

3 moms found this helpful
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B.M.

answers from Dallas on

i say go for it! I am currently 34 weeks pregnant. I was with the same OB for 27 almost 28 weeks into my pregnancy. I had considered switching from week 15 because I was having serious complications and put on bed rest, but she did not label me high risk, see me more often, or really seem to care. I think she was out of her element. I ended up switching at 27 weeks because I had to, I was in the hospital and being told that I would need to deliver my baby by week 32 and she also told me chances were good I would not survive the deliveryI! My husband and I couldn't believe that she was basically saying chances are good you will die and we can't do anything about it. Needless to say we went to a high risk obgyn who specializes in the specific area I was having complications in, he has been GREAT!!! I wish I had switched when I first starting questioning my doctor. I am now 34 weeks and while I am still considered high risk, my doctor has been VERY reassuring and was quite frustrated at my old doctor for her dramatics and lack of care for me during my pregnancy. If you have any inkling that you should switch then do it! Don't worry about it being too late in the game!

Good luck and I hope everything works out! :-)

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B.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Redding on

As far as the c-tuck, you should be able to call the new OB's office and ask if that is something that the physician does. Obviously, you can't be diagnosed over the phone and they have no way of knowing if you would be a good candidate for it or not without seeing you, but you should be able to get a simple yes or no after explaining you are thinking of changing to that office. Also, make sure he's even taking new patients as far along as you are, or at all.
I really think your best bet is calling the new OB office and ask them how they handle people switching to them. That should give you some good information on which to base your decision.
I was so in love with my OB that I gladly travelled an hour one direction to get to see him. Love just poured out of him and he always took time and cared so much.
The bummer was when I went into labor and all the sudden I didn't want to go to the hospital. My mom basically dragged me. She was afraid I'd have the baby in the car. I wouldn't have traded him for anything.
But, if you are thinking about changing, just ask some questions of the new office and make sure they can accomodate you.
I don't think your first doctor would be too upset considering the closeness of the other hospital, etc.

I hope you get some great responses and I know you'll make the right decsion.

Best wishes to you and prayers for a happy delivery!

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L.P.

answers from Dallas on

Many women see several OB/GYN's before choosing one. There is no reason to feel nervous about switching. Any good doctor would want you to feel as secure in your choice as possible, even if it means choosing another doctor. I would check with your insurance company first, but it shouldn't be a problem for them either. I had medicaid, and I could see any OB/GYN I wanted without notifying them of the change at all.

1 mom found this helpful

A.G.

answers from Pocatello on

Well I think that if you really want to switch then do it. And if you don't like the new OB I bet your old one would take you back no questions asked. Actually you can go see the new OB and get a feel for him before you actually make a switch (like with all your records). I did switch OB's with my first pregnancy and it was the best decision I ever made! I was so happy with the new OB. Also I have had 2 c-sections as well and with my second my doc did a c-tuck. He told me it's pretty common and that most doc's do it cause it helps you heal so much faster by removing that old scar tissue and starting fresh. I think most docs do this now so I bet your new OB will too.

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V.N.

answers from Chicago on

If I was to drive an hour for a doctor he/she better be fabulous. I do drive over an hour for my dentist and hygienist and they always acknowledge that I am coming from a distance, take the time to talk to me about my life, and always make me feel special. It sounds like you have a good doctor but not someone who you really connect with.

I moved when I was 28 weeks pregnant so I switched doctors. I did tell the office I needed my records, but never told the doctor or midwife. (my reason was the doctor and midwife had no clue who I was and I figured they wouldn't miss me). My new ob group is good but I don't have a deep connection. They are close to home, accommodating and great doctors. I had an ob years ago who I LOVED. I feel, like a relationship, that if there is an opportunity to find a new doctor that may be great why not go for it. If you don't like them you can always go back to your old doctor or find another closer office.

Congrats!

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J.C.

answers from New York on

Call your insurance company and tell then that you want to consider a switch and see what they will do. It's worth a call.

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