doctor issues- new pg mentioned

lovepotato · 08-16-2006, 04:51 PM

Okay, as a lot of you know, I had a stillborn in Dec. He had severe birth defects and died the same day I found out. I was 28 weeks. Afterwards, there were a lot of questions about why my doctor didn't find them. I'm still not sure why, but I think it has to do with his u/s machine (it's not the greatest) and the fact that he rushes through his visits with patients. I have also heard rumors from numerous people about lawsuits against my doctor. Apparently he doesn't catch things very well. Really!?!

So, I went to a few doctors after I had him, b/c they needed to make sure it wasn't Eric's genes. Everything turned out fine with that. That doctor told me that I needed other testing done before we could try again. He also told me I wouldn't be high risk with the next one.

The genetic doctor was supposed to send my regular doctor a letter saying what tests I need. He didn't send the letter, just stuff about Eric's genes and the results of the amnio I had the day Eric was born. My doctor told me I didn't need them.

Well, I got pg in May, and still saw my doctor. I know that makes me a bonehead, but I don't know who else to see. It's really hard to start out with a new doctor, especially one you don't know anything about. I think I want to switch though, but I don't know how. Like, will they see me? Isn't it bad to switch doctors mid-pregnancy? Plus, I sort of when against one doctor's advice and took another's, won't my new doctor be upset about that? The one I want to see is at the same hospital as the genetic doctor. The hospital is University Hospitals in Cleveland, so it's big. But I don't know if he'll even see me. But doctors can't turn you away b/c they think you should have done things differently, right? They're suppposed to help you right?

I'm sorry this is so confusing. Everyone I know tells me to do what I want, but I don't know what I want. I'm also sorry if this upset anybody b/c of my pregnancy. I just figured you'd understand more b/c you've been through a loss which is all sorts of things, devastating and scary being a couple of them.

Did any of you switch after you lost your babies b/c you thought you could get better care? Thanks for your thoughts.

P.S. I think I'm going to ask the ladies in the pregancy after a loss thread too. Thanks

Crownline266 · 08-16-2006, 05:10 PM

I agree that you should do what you want to do. I really don't think some doctors care about their patients like they should. They rush and just want to get the next person in and out. If you feel he is negligant, then find a new doctor. If you don't want to find a new doctor, than don't. I know it's not that easy, but you have to follow your gut. Some doctors aren't taking new patients so that might be why you wouldn't be accepted. They wouldn't know you didn't follow your doctor's advice unless you told them or they read the records and figured it out. I know a lot of people who don't follow their doctor's advice...I think doctors are used to that. I know if you go to a new doctor with everything you stated here, that new doctor would be on your side and think your old doctor didn't follow you closely and was negligent. So you have every right to look for a new doctor IF you want to.

I don't know if that helps any...

HopefulCyster · 08-16-2006, 06:19 PM

Congrats on your pregnancy, I will continue to pray everything goes well! Sorry about your loss of Eric, I would look for a new doctor too. Good Luck!!!

RunnerDuck · 08-16-2006, 06:50 PM

I don't have any experience with switching after a loss YET but I did have to switch doctors midstream (18-20 weeks) with my first pregnancy because we moved... and I didn't have a problem. Sometime after THAT switch I was looking into switching again because I got hung up on this idea that I wanted a midwife instead of a doctor (because there are so many horror stories about how doctors will force you to do things against your will while in labor - for the record, not always true...) - anyway I learned that many doctors/midwives do have a cut-off for when they will accept new patients. Seems 28 weeks was the most common. So that is something to think about - if you are going to switch, switch, don't just keep thinking about it.

What are you referring to with regard to going against one doctor's advice and listening to another? Not having those tests? I wouldn't worry about that.

I probably won't be seeing the doctor I saw for my miscarriage if/when I get pregnant again just because I think I want to pick someone closer - but I am not sure yet. (She is not the doctor I saw when I was pregnant with my son, we switched insurance since then) People switch doctors all the time. People have a lot of reasons for doing it. Unless you have a history of being beligerant and refusing to agree to certain procedures, or wait too long, I don't think a new doctor will have a problem with taking you on. Neighter of those sounds like an issue at the moment.

Congrats on your pregnancy

Gnzls924 · 08-17-2006, 05:53 AM

You do what your motherly instinct tells you to do. Always trust it!

But I will say this...given that your doc rushes through your appointments, do you really think he will even miss you? probably not. He probably won't even know that you are gone. At this point, you are your baby's best advocate. Find a doctor/facility that can do the best for you and your baby.

I say given your history, I would probably go to the bigger hospital where your genetics doctor is affiliated. It will just make everything so much easier in the long run.

Good Luck!!

lifes2short · 08-20-2006, 01:04 PM

I switched.....I knew that something wasnt right again and my mom told me what have I got to lose by going to someone I knew had better reputation than my previous doctor. I agree you will never have what if's. Ring and explain your situation I found they were very sympathetic if you tell them all your woahhs.
Bec

*SAHMommie* · 08-20-2006, 04:53 PM

I had an experience where I had to switch drs as well.

I had toxemia, kidney failure, liver stretching, preclampsia...my dr never bothered to tell me he suspected anything.

He was always in such a rush. When I asked why I was so swollen-he told me o stop eating so much!

Anyways...I switched dr AFTER being admitted in the hospital at 28 weeks.

The new dr said I should have never been to the point that I was at & that the drs notes had said he suspected it & never did a darn thing.

I had my son at 29 weeks.

I NEVER saw that dr again! I lost all confidence in him & this practice. Since leaving the office--I have heard so many bad things about that dr.

If you have a bad feeling---definately switch. Do not add more stress upon yourself.

Call around & see what drs in your area are accepting new patients & go from there.

Good luck.

*Clarissa* · 08-22-2006, 04:52 PM

I tried to switch mid-pregnancy with Noah, but noone would accept me at that point. That was before any losses though. With the next baby, I went to the same dr, stupid, I know, and, well I ended up losing that baby. With the third baby I was back with my RE, but lost that baby as well. With Emma I started with my RE and then when he released me I chose a new ob-gyn. I was and still am so thankful that I switched. He was the best, and made me feel like I wasn't a failure like the previous Ob made me feel.

If you want to switch try too, all they can say is no. You will probably have to get your records from the current OB and then talk to the office manager at the one you want to see. That is what I had to do when I tried to switch while I was pg with Noah. GL

TACM · 08-23-2006, 12:39 AM

**children mentioned**
I am very sorry for your loss. Congrats on your new pregnancy. I also had an incompetent doctor who I blame for losing my twin daughters. Needless to say, when I got pregnant again, I saw a high risk ob.

I live about an hour south of Cleveland, and had both my children at University Hospitals of Cleveland. I highly recommend them, especially their high risk OBs. It is your body, and your baby. If you don't feel comfortable with your current OB, switch. I have a friend who switched OBs at 32 weeks because she didn't feel comfortable. I am sure the doctors will accept you as a patient.

Good luck with your pregnancy.

Traci

lovepotato · 08-24-2006, 10:00 PM

Thank you guys for your advice and support. I did have an appt last week with my doctor. He did rush me out the door, but before he did, I had him refer me to a cardiologist. My heart had been feeling funny. I talked to him about what the genetics doctor told me to get tested for ( a clotting disorder), and he said they probably weren't related. I'm supposed to go get an echo next week, and they did some b/w.

I think I'm going to switch doctors anyway. I'm so freaking nervous I can't stand it. Everytime I go to my doctor now, I freak out before hand. I think it would be a good change of pace, even if I didn't suspect anything. You know??

BTW, TACM, that's probably the hospital I'm going to go to! I know one doctor there who I felt really comfortable with, and he's a high risk doctor. Even if I decide to stay, which I probably won't, I'm going to have him do the u/s.

Thanks again for the advice. I needed someone who understands to calm my nerves.