re: Changing OBs?

Quoting Squeaky McGee:" This has been on my mind a lot. I feel like I need to change OBs. I don't feel as though my OB takes ... [snip!] ... me? Do I have to make appointments with each doctor and explain my history and what not? Does anyone have experience with this?"

Have you not been referred to a peri (MFM/high risk OB)? That would doubly concern me.

I'm actually in the process of changing OBs right now, for close to the same reasons. I love my OB but I need one that specializes in high risk cases and who works closely with the perinatologist. My peri did not give me adequate care and my current OB didn't pick up the slack. I think she seldom deals with high risk cases like mine and expected the peri to be responsible for that part. Unfortunately he wasn't and I lost a baby. All I did was call the other practice and schedule a consult with one of their doctors. My appointment is tomorrow.

Quoting Amelia Margaret:" Have you not been referred to a peri (MFM/high risk OB)? That would doubly concern me. I'm actually ... [snip!] ... a baby. All I did was call the other practice and schedule a consult with one of their doctors. My appointment is tomorrow."

No, they never referred me. It's never even been mentioned.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Squeaky McGee:</b>" Male. I was just talking to a friend of mine about this. She's pregnant for the second time. Had a ... [snip!] ... Had a male the first time and now has a female OB. She said that her female OB takes her seriously, because she can relate."</blockquote>

My male ob is amazing. But the other male at the practice is not as concerned about my care. My baby would have probably died had I had any other ob. I am so thankful to him everyday and I can't imagine where I'd be without him. It's all te dr.

Quoting Squeaky McGee:" I'm familiar with several of the local OBs. There's only one 'high risk' doc in town, but I don't know if my situation would be 'high risk' enough for him. Plus, I've heard he's an smurf."

Most high risk doctors are in my experience but every now and then you find a keeper. The problem is when they are usually an ass it because they are unsure or not confident about managing your condition most have basic knowledge of every condition but primarily work with certain groups of high risk mothers.

Quoting Mylittleone's (B.B.M):" Most high risk doctors are in my experience but every now and then you find a keeper. The problem ... [snip!] ... your condition most have basic knowledge of every condition but primarily work with certain groups of high risk mothers."

I'm pretty sure I have to be referred, though.

Quoting Squeaky McGee:" No, they never referred me. It's never even been mentioned."

I agree with what the other poster said. Call L&D and ask if there are any regular OBs that specialize in high risk cases, or you can google it. That's what I did, lol. Then asked around for opinions. I would not want you to suffer what I have in the last couple of weeks, having so much regret that I didn't research my issues more and make sure my doctors were doing what they should have been doing. There is a very good chance that my loss could have been prevented if only I'd taken more action.

Quoting Squeaky McGee:" Male. I was just talking to a friend of mine about this. She's pregnant for the second time. Had a ... [snip!] ... Had a male the first time and now has a female OB. She said that her female OB takes her seriously, because she can relate."

It's been hit or miss here. The OB I ended up using with DS was a male and was on top of everything compared to a female one I had switched from. I actually prefer males because they seem to be unbiased (the good ones anyways) My current OB with this baby is a freaking moron though.

Quoting Amelia Margaret:" I agree with what the other poster said. Call L&D and ask if there are any regular OBs that specialize ... [snip!] ... they should have been doing. There is a very good chance that my loss could have been prevented if only I'd taken more action."

Don't blame yourself, mama. You're paying your OB to oversee your care. You shouldn't have to treat yourself. He should've been more proactive. That's how I feel... like I'm treating myself.

Quoting Squeaky McGee:" I'm pretty sure I have to be referred, though."

Most likely for insurance to cover it yea =/

Quoting Squeaky McGee:" I'm pretty sure I have to be referred, though."

There is the high risk OB which is also called a perinatologist or maternal fetal medicine specialist and you do need a referral for them. But there are also regular OBs who in addition to treating low risk patients, also specialize in high risk cases. For those you don't need a referral as they are still just "regular" OBs. If you can, find one and schedule a consult to get a feel for how they would handle your case. Find out if they would refer you to the peri.

I'd switch. The whole male/female thing is subjective though I think. I've had better experience with my male OB than the female I saw. The female kept trying to force me to abort a pregnancy because she didn't like how it was going. My male OB is 75 years old and done this for 45 years. I think finding someone with a similar personality to yours is good too. Most people would hate my doctor because he's a no bullsmurf kind of guy, get in, get it done person. If you want or need something he does it, he doesn't say "Well you don't need that". He's also anti intervention.

I think you really just have to keep trying people out.. Even my husband prefers our male doctor who we were discouraged from seeing to the highly recommended and well known female.

Quoting Amelia Margaret:" There is the high risk OB which is also called a perinatologist or maternal fetal medicine specialist ... [snip!] ... one and schedule a consult to get a feel for how they would handle your case. Find out if they would refer you to the peri."

I know of one MFM in town, but I don't know of any docs that specialize in 'high risk' cases. I know my OB isn't one of them. I'll talk to my mom about it. She works in NICU and knows several OBs.

Quoting Squeaky McGee:" I'm pretty sure I have to be referred, though."

Yea you do

Quoting I'm His Amy He's My Rory:" I'd switch. The whole male/female thing is subjective though I think. I've had better experience with ... [snip!] ... Even my husband prefers our male doctor who we were discouraged from seeing to the highly recommended and well known female."

Your OB sounds awesome, even if he is a hundred years old. I just want to find someone who takes my concerns seriously. If I want an extra ultrasound for reassurance, I should be able to get it, right? I mean, I'm paying for it.

Quoting Squeaky McGee:" Don't blame yourself, mama. You're paying your OB to oversee your care. You shouldn't have to treat yourself. He should've been more proactive. That's how I feel... like I'm treating myself."

I blame myself for trusting the doctors too much. I trusted my OB because I have received such excellent care from her in the past and I trusted the peri because my high risk issues were supposed to be his JOB. He only worried about genetics and ignored the more pressing physical issues like my risk for incompetent cervix which was very high. My water broke at 15 weeks and my cervix was never checked. He also does not wish to follow up with me.