Should I Change Doctors?

Sandy is in an area that should be teaming with children, I say ask some of the moms and find out other ladies experiences with their OB/GYNs and go from there.

If you aren't happy, change while you have plenty of time. I changed in the 8th month with my first baby.

i would change. it's totally easy to change doctors at this point and you don't have to give them a reason. just sign the paper for the transfer of your records. i had 3 doctors during my second pregnancy because of moving twice. just make sure your new doctor takes your insurance and has privileges at the hospital you prefer. my 3rd pregnancy was a little bit more risky because of my own health problems so i met with several doctors for consultations. some required an exam, but they told me that up front. others just talked with me at their desks. it was very helpful.

If this was your first pregnancy I would say change. However a lot of doctors are not as informative with a second or more pregnancies. What are the age differences? Also, if you want the ginetic testing done, call the office that you are with now and ask them for a prescription for it and get it done. If you want to find a new doctor down here in Florida I beleive it's up to 6 months you have to change. Good luck.

I vote for a change. ASAP

If you don't feel good when you go to this doctor, then by all means switch. I don't think you were "spoiled" by your last doc, I think you had a wonderful doctor who understood your needs and that you felt comfortable with. There's no reason not to expect that with your new doctor. But, not every doctor has the same philosophy when it comes to caring for patients, and it sounds like your new doc sees things a little differently. It doesn't mean he's not a good doctor, but you need to go to someone who makes you feel heard and cared for, especially for prenatal visits. It doesn't matter if it's your first or your fifth, you need a doc that will guide you through pregnancy and anticipate your needs. Ask friends and family around town for referrals, not just a name but also a reason. It shouldn't be too hard to switch in the middle of your pregnancy, but I would check with your health insurance first to make sure that you do everything properly to avoid paying anything extra. Good luck!

By all means, change doctors!!. He sounds like he just doesn't care, the base of all medical care should be communication, compassion and understanding. If he is neither don't waste your time and risk yourself.
Good Luck!!

I mentioned to our pediatrician that my Dr. was retiring from the OB part of OB/GYN. He piped right up and said that he knew of many Drs. that he would recommend. We never took him up on it since we are done having kids, but will ask again when my Dr. retires for "real".

Maybe look into a CNM. They take so much time and care with you and are more attentive on delivery day. All mine have been there for hours before I actually deliver and because of how watchful they are, I feel I got more care with my pregnancies.

definitely change!! with my second, i had a doctor much like that, the whole time i was "should i change?" and then i decided i would change after the baby was born, cuz it would be easier i thought. well, it just made the whole pregnancy experience awful. it got so bad, i switched for the 6wk post partum apt-- trust me, it was more difficult but SOOO worth it-- i get upset with myself for not having done it sooner!! i now have a dr i LOVE, and she treats each subsequent pregnancy like it's the first, so really, make the change, even if it's hard (people do it all the time when they move, my sister moved at 8mos!)

Ask friends, or post on here to find a good doctor.

For the genetic testing, call today! There is a range of time that they can do that and I think you are right there, so call and get an appointment ASAP. Even if you switch docs, you need the test now, so use this doc's office to get it done.

As far as the doctor, if you are asking this question, you need to find a new doc. You are your own advocate and you know what you are and are not comfortable with. If he is willing to brush aside your concern over birth defects, and not find out how you are doing, how do you think he will be during delivery. You need someone you are comfortable with. Changing docs is not difficult, no matter how far along you are. Don't stay with a doctor you aren't comfortable with, just to not cause trouble.

You're not comfortable with this doctor, so I'd say to change. You could see if there is anyone else in the practice unless that would be awkward for you. You would still have a chance of having the current doctor for your delivery depending on who's on call.

The best way to find someone is word of mouth. Talk to your primary care physician and explain your problems/concerns. Ask all your friends and have them ask THEIR friends. Then see who is taking new patients. You definitely need to find someone you like. You weren't "spoiled" by the last doctor - you were treated properly. You have every right to get similar care from someone else even if their style is different. You are early in your pregnancy so now is the time to make the switch!

I think that you should find a doctor that you feel comfortable with and feels as if they give a damn about you and your unborn baby. I would not want to be with a doctor that I felt like I couldn't communicate with -- not for something this important.

I hope that you are able to find a more compatible doctor very soon.

Yes, you should change doctors! You'll be so glad you did.

Frankly, I think Mommmapedia is a great resource for finding a good doctor. Start a new question and select the little radio button that says it's a local question, and you ought to get some great references. That's what I did when I moved and needed a new OB. Even better, I got references from a nurse, who told me which doctors were great surgeons (I have c-sections). I also got some people who told me who to avoid, which was awesome, because I was considering one who was quite close to my home, but got several warnings not to go to her.

You shouldn't have to do anything to switch in the middle. Just go to your new doctor. If they need to, they'll request your records for you and they'll handle all the insurance stuff.

And congratulations on your new little one!

Now is a good time to change. Much easier the earlier you do it. I changed at about 12 wks due to location. Not a big deal. Like some of the other moms who responded, I went to a midwife for both of my pregnancies. Great experiences. "Midwife" means "with woman" and that is exactly what they are! They are there to be WITH you and there FOR you throughout your pregnancy. Very caring, very supportive, willing to listen, etc..

I would ask around to find a good provider. Word of mouth is great advertising!

Girl, you have every right to change Dr.'s and I would do so asap. You need to find someone that is going to meet all your needs! You need to be confident in your Dr. during your pregnancy and be able to ask questions and feel good about the answers that you are recieving. I have recently had to "shop around" for a Dr. and I went to three before I found one that I really like and could somewhat relate too. Some things that us women deal with are very personal and we need someone that we can fee comfortable with and around. Obviously the best way to find a new physician is to have a referral from a friend. Have you thought about having a midwife? Alot of my friends and family member's lately have been using midwife's, and they love them! That could be an option. You don't have to deliver at home to use a midwife and they have all the same testing capabilities that a Dr. has.

Good Luck!

Yes, by all means, change doctors. You can change at anytime! Even if you are 39 weeks pregnant. Having a care provider that you feel most comfortable with is SO important. I'd even say that if you want more personalized care, go to a CNM. They can do everything that OB's can do, minus surgery. Most of them are wonderful! It doesn't mean you have to go natural, but even with an epidural, they will take a more natural approach.
And when you start going to someone again, you can even switch after that if you want. It's your birth and you need to make it the best possible!

I think you already know the answer is yes, you should change. It isn't too difficult to change. Just be sure to get a copy of you medical record and previous preg record as well. Do some research and ask the other local mama's who they loved! Be sure that you put out there the sort of person you want...like the last dr. Some ppl may be perfectly happy with the dr you currently have, so be sure to explain the needs you have for a new one. You are early on in your preg still, so switching really isn't an issue...move on to someone you are happy and comfy with!
Good Luck and God Bless!

My OB was a good friend of mine who had known me forever. He absolutely spoiled me during my pregnancies, and in between them as well! He passed away very unexpectedly when I was 32wks pregnancy with my 7th child. We were devastated. I ended up seeing a dr who was a good friend of his (they shared an office though practiced independently), and while this man is an absolutely amazing doctor, he just wasn't a personality that made me comfortable. I finished that pregnancy with him, and we had that commonality of both having lost a good mutual friend so I think that helped for those weeks.
But at the beginning of my 8th pregnancy after I had my first appointment with him, I knew it was not something I wanted to continue. The thought of starting dr hunting from scratch after already having 7 babies was not fun!!
I did some shopping around and ended up with a midwife who I absolutely adore! Unfortunately we found some health problems with baby during u/s that required more specialized care, so we started the dr hunt again. I saw 5 different perinatologists before we transferred to one that we stayed with for the remaining few months of the pregnancy.
It was absolutely, without a doubt worth the stress and hassle of meeting with multiple drs and changing delivery hospitals and all the rest to end up with a dr that I loved. I can only imagine how much more stressful my pregnancy would have been had I not gone through all of that and been with a dr that I was not comfortable with.

Remember that you are the one hiring your dr, if it is not working out, you don't have to stay! And 13wks is a very easy time to switch. I asked around, and then looked online to find comments/reports/reviews on the drs that had been suggested to me. GL finding someone who works for you!

Sounds like my doctor with my first baby. I wish I had changed... You should find someone who meets your needs. These doctors are getting paid pretty well, you are not expecting too much. :) Find someone you feel is living up to your expectation. Your health and your baby's health are absolutely worth it.

I would change, or at least interview other doctors. It is not had to change that early in your pregnancy, I changed drs at 36 weeks with my first. I had been telling my Dr all along that I wanted a natural birth, wanted to deliver in the position of my choise, etc. At 36 weeks he finally believed that I meant what I had told him, and that although he did not have an issue with any of it, the drs who share call with him might. I changed to the midwifery group at the hospital at that time.

I think its important that your dr be a good listen (especially in ob), and that you are comfortable with him and the other physicians in the group (it's likely someone other than your dr will be at your delivery). Ask people you know who they have used and set up an interview appointment at the new office. (you should do the same thing with Peds offices before your child is born).

Good Luck!!

If you belong to an insurance plan that allows it- change doctors! This is his JOB- you are the boss and need to approve HIM, not the other way around.

1)Is this guy only your ob/gyn? If you have a family practitioner that you like and trust, ask them for another recommendation. Explain exactly why you don't feel comfortable with the other doctor.

2)Ask your friends and family who they would recommend and then call up the doctor's offices and ask for a short interview. If the office is too busy to even make time to see you or have the doc speak to you, I would not bother with them. How the office treats you can be a good indicator of the kind of attention you can expect there.

3)Remember- YOU are the one paying this doctor/medical office. You have every right to have your questions fully answered and have a positive experience with your doctor. Don't be intimidated- find another doc you like better now!

You need to be comfortable with your doctor. You need to be able you can communicate clearly with him. It is possible that your doctor isn't as keen on genetic testing as your other doctor. Meaning, maybe he doesn't like the implications of them (not saying this is your view, but I'm sure he has seen a lot). I think that is a bonus. And, the testing doesn't usually happen this early in a pregnancy, so maybe he doesn't think it is an issue to hash out just yet. Maybe? Also, I highly recommend the book, The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth, by Henci Goer. Great book for the pregnant woman. Should be a must-read for all pregnant women! Blessings, and congratulations on your pregnancy.