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02-20-2013 at 11:22 AM
nycnola
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I HATE MY OB!!!!

I hate my OB and I can't move to a new dr! She is the only game in town for VBACs. Every time I leave my appts I am so agitated. Today they had a cartoon hanging in my exam room that depicted a group of cavemen throwing another caveman over a cliff. The caption read "This is the only treatment covered by his insurance." It's a funny cartoon, but to hang in the exam room of an OB office? C'mon. Then I had a list of 4 questions and while my OB was answering someone was banging on the door and eventually came in to the room to tell her to move along to the next patient. Thanks so much. She was with me 15 minutes max. AND my questions were very generic, mostly "what is your policy on heplocks" etc...and the OB, as always, was so defensive, like "How DARE you question my medical knowledge?" and she kept saying "you have to trust me, this is what I do, I know what I am doing." Well lady, I never questioned your knowledge I was simply asking what your policy was, so screw you! BLERG!

I left out my favorite part! She had my ultrasound report, and she says to me "So you're of Honduran descent?" Uh....no? I told her my husband was Cuban, and she says, your report specifically says you are of Latino-Honduran descent. Nope, I never wrote that anywhere and never discussed it with anyone. And, btw, I am of Polish and British descent. WTF? 


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02-20-2013 at 11:27 AM
aylacbw
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She sounds like a nightmare. I would travel for another provider that would assist with my VBAC, or just suck it up and find someone I can tolerate, even if that meant I couldn't have VBAC.

 
02-20-2013 at 11:45 AM
OctGirl80
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aylacbw:
She sounds like a nightmare. I would travel for another provider that would assist with my VBAC, or just suck it up and find someone I can tolerate, even if that meant I couldn't have VBAC.

 

This 100%

02-20-2013 at 12:11 PM
JCRSMD17
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I get you on the short amount of time and "defensiveness" of your OB and see how that could be very frustrating, but you are really upset over a stupid cartoon?? More than likely, your doc had nothing to with hanging it there. Also, your OB was being diligent and asking about your ethnic/genetic background that was reported on an ultrasound. So you are upset that your OB was making sure that was correct?

Seems like you are over-reacting a bit. 


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02-20-2013 at 12:26 PM
goatgirlny...
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She sounds awful. I really want you to get a new OB.

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02-20-2013 at 12:28 PM
nycnola
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JCRSMD17:

Also, your OB was being diligent and asking about your ethnic/genetic background that was reported on an ultrasound. So you are upset that your OB was making sure that was correct?

Not upset she asked, upset there was such incorrect information in my record to begin with.  


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02-20-2013 at 1:20 PM
Meemaleema
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All of my appointments are in and out. Real fast. They are really just very routine. Keep your questions written down and tell her in the beginning of your appointment you have some
02-20-2013 at 1:25 PM
paigenicol...
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I get being upset, but there are worse things. You could be having a difficult pregnancy. You could be having a difficult pregnancy with an OB that has no idea how to handle it. My OB incorrectly diagnosed me as high-risk rather than re-check the blood test. He told my SO to go get his blood drawn and tested for an antigen test that doesn't even exisist. Scheduled me for an amnio for the same test he wanted on my SO. I was told an abrupt NO when I asked if he could be drawing more blood to check the titer levels, which at 20w a MFM specialist was called & even he asked why OB hadn't been monitored my titer levels. Ended up doing all this because of one mistaken test that OB never bothered to double check. I am now fighting insurance to prove that my OB did diagnose me as high-risk originally and that the MFM appointments and ultrasounds were needed at the time. I am not happy about it, but I still know it could be worse. I would say you are fortunate to have gotten a full 15 minutes with your OB. I end up spending more time with the nurses than I do with my OB. They can't read your mind and have multiple patients a day, so it's best to go prepared with questions, make a list if you need to. Vent and get over it, address it with your OB and see if it gets better, or look into finding a new OB. Good luck.

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02-20-2013 at 1:50 PM
beckyschel...
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Wow what a bag! I would really be rethinking about her, I know its your only VBAC doctor but even if you have to have a C section it might be worth it to have a doctor that at least gives a toot about you, she seems like she doesn't care even remotely. She might not give you a nice experiance...  Sorry you have someone so miserable to deal with.

 
02-20-2013 at 2:01 PM
PrimRoseMa...
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1] I think you are over reacting to the cartoon. Relax. Laughter is good for you.

2] Did the doctor answer your questions despite the interruptions? Doctors are under pressure to see as many patients as possible. It's just a fact of life. If you are truly upset then file a complaint.

3] Perhaps your tone caused her to be defensive? No matter what, you can file a complaint. Ask for literature of their policies so you have it in writing.

4] Mistakes happen. It's a good idea she asked. Accurate charts are good.

It stinks and I agree these things are frustrating. I'd be writing a formal complaint if it were me.

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02-20-2013 at 2:04 PM
Tiefling
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I disagree with anyone that says you're overreacting. You have every right to feel comfortable with your OB and this is way beyond the comfort zone. Idk how far along you are but if you've got a ways to go with this women things are probably just going to get worse.

Im pregnant for the first time and I got really lucky with my Doc but if I hadn't I'd find a way to switch, even if it meant changing a few plans on my part. Oh and I HATE that whole "Trust me, this is what I do," crap. Umm that doesn't automatically mean you do it WELL eyeroll
 
02-20-2013 at 2:39 PM
Jasmineeel...
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I hated my midwife. HATED her, wrote posts about in and everything. Then she went on vacation and came back a whole new person.

I don't think your overreacting, well maybe about the cartoon.. but when your already pissed off at someone everything makes you mad. I completely get that. I'm not sure how it works where you live but maybe you can see your family doc who you feel more comfortable with and ask them any questions regarding your health, and leave only the policy questions and anything else for your very very short OB appointments. Have you considered getting a doula? I think the more of a support team you have for your labor the less frustrated you'll be with you OB.


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02-20-2013 at 2:51 PM
Kristin030
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nycnola:

I hate my OB and I can't move to a new dr! She is the only game in town for VBACs. Every time I leave my appts I am so agitated. Today they had a cartoon hanging in my exam room that depicted a group of cavemen throwing another caveman over a cliff. The caption read "This is the only treatment covered by his insurance." It's a funny cartoon, but to hang in the exam room of an OB office? C'mon. Then I had a list of 4 questions and while my OB was answering someone was banging on the door and eventually came in to the room to tell her to move along to the next patient. Thanks so much. She was with me 15 minutes max. AND my questions were very generic, mostly "what is your policy on heplocks" etc...and the OB, as always, was so defensive, like "How DARE you question my medical knowledge?" and she kept saying "you have to trust me, this is what I do, I know what I am doing." Well lady, I never questioned your knowledge I was simply asking what your policy was, so screw you! BLERG!

I would never see any physician, let alone an OB, that answered my question this way about my care. I dont pretend to be a doctor but I also dont follow everything a Dr. says blindly. If a Dr. has a method/drug/preference-great, but if I want an explanation as to why they feel that way or why that is the best choice, I deserve one.

I would say the cartoon is a bit of an overreaction, Im sure whoever hung it was just trying to be humorous and not offensive, but the rest of it sounds perfectly reasonable. I get that doctors are busy and occasionally there will be an interuption. However, I arrive to my appointment on time, wait in the waiting room etc., unless it is an emergency-no one needs to be knocking on the door hurrying things along during the time allotted for my appt.

If it were me, quality of care and being comfortable with my OB is way more important than preferred delivery method. (not that you shouldnt feel that your desire for a VBAC isnt important but I personally would choose an OB I trusted than one I didnt like)


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02-20-2013 at 3:27 PM
mrsf123
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paigenicole23:
I get being upset, but there are worse things. You could be having a difficult pregnancy. You could be having a difficult pregnancy with an OB that has no idea how to handle it. My OB incorrectly diagnosed me as high-risk rather than re-check the blood test. He told my SO to go get his blood drawn and tested for an antigen test that doesn't even exisist. Scheduled me for an amnio for the same test he wanted on my SO. I was told an abrupt NO when I asked if he could be drawing more blood to check the titer levels, which at 20w a MFM specialist was called & even he asked why OB hadn't been monitored my titer levels. Ended up doing all this because of one mistaken test that OB never bothered to double check. I am now fighting insurance to prove that my OB did diagnose me as high-risk originally and that the MFM appointments and ultrasounds were needed at the time. I am not happy about it, but I still know it could be worse. I would say you are fortunate to have gotten a full 15 minutes with your OB. I end up spending more time with the nurses than I do with my OB. They can't read your mind and have multiple patients a day, so it's best to go prepared with questions, make a list if you need to. Vent and get over it, address it with your OB and see if it gets better, or look into finding a new OB. Good luck.

That sucks that you went through such an awful experience.  But I don't think OP should suck it up because it could be much worse.  I think that every woman deserves prenatal care that lives up to her expectations and if this doctor isn't fulfilling that, I think she should look elsewhere.  There has to be some other option.  I find it appalling what terrible care so many women are willing to put up with for such an important medical situation.


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02-20-2013 at 3:55 PM
paigenicol...
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mrsf123:

paigenicole23:
I get being upset, but there are worse things. You could be having a difficult pregnancy. You could be having a difficult pregnancy with an OB that has no idea how to handle it. My OB incorrectly diagnosed me as high-risk rather than re-check the blood test. He told my SO to go get his blood drawn and tested for an antigen test that doesn't even exisist. Scheduled me for an amnio for the same test he wanted on my SO. I was told an abrupt NO when I asked if he could be drawing more blood to check the titer levels, which at 20w a MFM specialist was called & even he asked why OB hadn't been monitored my titer levels. Ended up doing all this because of one mistaken test that OB never bothered to double check. I am now fighting insurance to prove that my OB did diagnose me as high-risk originally and that the MFM appointments and ultrasounds were needed at the time. I am not happy about it, but I still know it could be worse. I would say you are fortunate to have gotten a full 15 minutes with your OB. I end up spending more time with the nurses than I do with my OB. They can't read your mind and have multiple patients a day, so it's best to go prepared with questions, make a list if you need to. Vent and get over it, address it with your OB and see if it gets better, or look into finding a new OB. Good luck.

That sucks that you went through such an awful experience.  But I don't think OP should suck it up because it could be much worse.  I think that every woman deserves prenatal care that lives up to her expectations and if this doctor isn't fulfilling that, I think she should look elsewhere.  There has to be some other option.  I find it appalling what terrible care so many women are willing to put up with for such an important medical situation.

I didn't tell her to suck it up. I just said it could be worse to give a little perspective. When I was struglling with my situation, looking at the good things like not being on bedrest or having a complication with the pregnancy helped me to calm down. Then I am able to re-evaluate the situation with a better frame of mind. Is it something I can vent and get over, something I can address with my OB and see if it changes, or just get out of the scenario completely. With my family, I found I was over dramatizing how bad my OB was after I had a reason to dislike him. I would think he'd have a tone when he didn't, would think he was being pushy or opinionated when he wasn't, ect because I was going to every appointment pissy with him and expecting the worst. I ended up being able to be straight forward with him and it has helped (he is one of two OBs in town and the other is full). It doesn't sound like she is getting terrible care, just unhappy with the bedside manner. If she isn't comfortable addressing it with said OB, or it isn't something she can just vent about and get over, she should be looking elsewhere. The main thing is being comfortable where you are in all aspects.


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02-20-2013 at 3:59 PM
trudibell
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So your OB is a combative racist. She should be able to answer any and all of your questions, no matter what.  Doctors get paid so much money the least they can do is treat patients like adult human beings.  

I am so sorry, if it makes you feel better the insurance officer at my OB's office has repeatedly insinuated that because my husband and I are graduate students that we "don't work" even though we're full time and have earned merit-based scholarships.

 
02-20-2013 at 5:02 PM
+ASH+
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PrimRoseMama:
1] I think you are over reacting to the cartoon. Relax. Laughter is good for you. 2] Did the doctor answer your questions despite the interruptions? Doctors are under pressure to see as many patients as possible. It's just a fact of life. If you are truly upset then file a complaint. 3] Perhaps your tone caused her to be defensive? No matter what, you can file a complaint. Ask for literature of their policies so you have it in writing. 4] Mistakes happen. It's a good idea she asked. Accurate charts are good. It stinks and I agree these things are frustrating. I'd be writing a formal complaint if it were me.

I agree with this. And to add to it - she was in with you for 15 minutes? I absolutely adore my OB, but I'm lucky if I get 5-10 minutes per appointment (listens to the heartbeat, asks how I'm feeling, asks if I have any questions - I usually try to limit them to what's relevant now - so usually one or two, and he's telling me he'll see me in a month). 

I think you need to be completely comfortable with who you see - that is very important. But also be realistic - it sounds like a lot of things you're upset about were out of the doctor's control (confirming information recorded on the chart - it's not her fault it was wrong, being upset about a nurse knocking on the door after 15 minutes - not the doctor's fault, and you had already taken up a significant amount of time, so the nurse was probably getting complaints from other women who were waiting to see her).

If you don't feel comfortable, drive to another clinic/hospital even if it's further away. Or rethink doing a repeat caesarian. Those are really your only options, unless you choose to do a home birth with a midwife (not something I'd recommend for a VBAC). 


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02-20-2013 at 5:34 PM
Sascha3
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trudibell:

So your OB is a combative racist. She should be able to answer any and all of your questions, no matter what.  Doctors get paid so much money the least they can do is treat patients like adult human beings.  

I am so sorry, if it makes you feel better the insurance officer at my OB's office has repeatedly insinuated that because my husband and I are graduate students that we "don't work" even though we're full time and have earned merit-based scholarships.

Ha....I don't think anything in the original post gave evidence that she was a racist.  She was verifying information that was on her chart.  That says to me that the office is not careful and botches their charts, not that they are racist. 

But I do think she sounds combative and if the OP is uncomfortable with her, it may be worth it to seek out a new doctor. 


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02-20-2013 at 9:35 PM
PDX7868
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I would find another OB.

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02-21-2013 at 10:50 AM
trudibell
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Sascha3:
trudibell:

So your OB is a combative racist. She should be able to answer any and all of your questions, no matter what.  Doctors get paid so much money the least they can do is treat patients like adult human beings.  

I am so sorry, if it makes you feel better the insurance officer at my OB's office has repeatedly insinuated that because my husband and I are graduate students that we "don't work" even though we're full time and have earned merit-based scholarships.

Ha....I don't think anything in the original post gave evidence that she was a racist.  She was verifying information that was on her chart.  That says to me that the office is not careful and botches their charts, not that they are racist. 

But I do think she sounds combative and if the OP is uncomfortable with her, it may be worth it to seek out a new doctor. 

If the OP never indicated to anyone that she was a Latino, and someone just assumed she was based on how she looked that's racism.  Anyway, yeah it sounds like she needs a new doctor. 

 
02-22-2013 at 10:29 AM
vintageuto...
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I just don't feel the outrage. Don't blame your OB for the cartoon. If you found it offensive, report it to the front desk. Again, it isn't your OBs fault that someone was "banging" on the door while she was meeting with you. She was sitting with you and trying to answer your questions. While I can't say whether or not your OB was receptive or defensive to your concerns, keep in mind your state of mind. Your post alone sounds a bit over-sensitive. Maybe, your irritation with everything else that "felt" like it was going wrong came across in your tone. She isn't a racist. She didn't look at you and make an assumption. She said (according to your post) " your REPORT specifically says....". Perhaps, she looked at you and thought "she doesn't look Honduran" and wanted to clarify. Your OB obviously didn't enter the original information in the chart. Again, stop at the front desk and ask if they can correct the information. Based on the responses you received on this thread, I can't help but wonder if people actually read what you wrote or prefer to jump on the "burn her at the stake" bandwagon.

 
02-22-2013 at 1:41 PM
Scout2005
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vintageutopia:
I just don't feel the outrage. Based on the responses you received on this thread, I can't help but wonder if people actually read what you wrote or prefer to jump on the "burn her at the stake" bandwagon.

Eh. I read it. I don't think she should be burned at the stake, but obviously OP doesn't have the rapport with this doctor that should be there when you are trusting someone to care for you and your baby.

It could be completely an issue of incompatible personalities, and this doctor would be beloved by another patient. That's fine. All that matters, at the end of the day, is that the OP isn't comfortable with the OB.  For whatever the reason, logical or not.

OP - I agree with the above advice. You are going to have to weigh how important VBAC is to you if it means remaining in this doctor's care. Is there no other provider, even perhaps a distance away, that is willing to try VBAC?

My worry is this: If you go into a vaginal delivery already not trusting the doctor - and perhaps with the doctor already believing you will challenge her on her choices and actions - that is not a great recipe for a successful VBAC. I worry you won't believe her if she feels it's time to move to a c/s (should that situation arise) or that she won't listen to you and honor what your wishes throughout the process.

You need to decide if you can work with her, and she with you, because otherwise I feel like you're not going to have the experience you're hoping for anyway, even if she is willing to try the VBAC. 

I'd look for another doctor, and hopefully there is someone near enough to you, that takes your insurance, who is willing to try the VBAC. If not, decide if a c/s is really that bad if it means not seeing this OB any longer. I don't know the circumstances of your first c/s - mine have both been scheduled, and I will tell you that c/s without labor beforehand is - as I understand it - a different experience all together. Mine were great, recovery very easy.

Good luck. 


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