[Alison81]

I am thinking of switching obgyn's. I had my heart set on having a birth center birth, and this is the only obgyn that accepts my insurance who delivers at the birth center. But I don't really like him. And the more I look at the birth center photos, the less excited I feel about it. With all the spotting I was having, it felt like he didn't care. I was just told, there's nothing they can do, to wait it out, and see if I'm still pregnant at my next appointment in 4 weeks. Those were the exact words. My last obgyn ordered a u/s and did blood draws when I was having spotting, and also had me come in to talk about the spotting. I felt cared for. This time, not at all. I think he's a little too "new age" for me, you know, no intervention, only medical tests that are absolutely necessary, and a little weird to be honest. He's not my kind of people, I guess is the best way to describe him and all the women who go to see him. A little too earthy. And with a later loss, I want the medical intervention, I want to know that everything is okay, not be told to wait it out.

I am considering interviewing some obgyn's, only drawback is they don't deliver at the birth center. But I can live with that more than I can live with feeling like my obgyn doesn't care about me. Plus, they are updating the maternity ward at the hospital since they closed down another maternity ward, so they will have more patients. I'm just wondering if anyone else switched during their pregnancy? I feel kind of bad, and am thinking of making up a story as to why I have to switch, lol. I don't want to hurt his feelings!

I switched from my OBGYN to a midwife. I felt bad too, since I really liked her.

They ended up calling me asking if anything was wrong since I didn't tell them I was switching but they found out when the new place requested my medical records. I told them no, they were just too far. Actually, I blamed it on Dustin and said he had a problem with how far the hospital was, which was true (30-45 min drive as opposed to 10-15). And I was much further along then you, like 32 weeks I think when I switched. But you do what you gotta do. And just make up an excuse that is partly true if you feel bad enough.

Btw, I agree with with you somewhat. Why can't we just get top notch care and monitoring while pregnant, and then be left along to birth in a tub during delivery? It seems like you have to choose one or the other. And since I used fertility treatments I have zero problems with tests and monitoring during pregnancy--I liked all mine. But when I give birth I don't want to be hassled, nor give birth in a hospital with sick people. It stinks we can't have it both ways around here.

[greeneyes]

I switched in the middle of my last pregnancy. They knew ahead of time that I was very unhappy with the quality of my care so they were not surprised when I requested my records.

Do you need to say anything to them about it at all? Your new doc can do the medical records request for you and that way you won't even need to talk to the other guy.

[Alison81]

Thanks for the replies, I am thinking I may go back to the obgyn I had with Elsa, who was great. I liked him, just didn't like the hospital birth, but this is now the only other maternity ward where I am, so maybe it will be a bit better. Plus, I know what to expect. I had some more spotting tonight too, and it makes me so nervous. I spot so lightly, and it quickly turns to brown spotting, but it makes me so uneasy. At the hospital I was told my doctor should do repeat ultrasounds until I reach the second tri, and he felt it was pointless. My insurance covers unlimited ultrasounds, so I don't see what the big deal is? I feel like I want a more medical approach, especially with having lupus, and having a second tri loss. Thanks for the opinions, it made me feel better about switching, especially knowing I don't even have to tell them. If they ask I'll tell them I'm having a hard time with the drive, it is 45 minutes from my house, as opposed to the hospital/other obgyn which is 20 minutes away.

[szczepanski]

At any point you can request copies of reports or your entire file for your personal records. You could always bring a copy with you while checking out other options. I went with a midwife group - I have one midwife that I looooooooove and another that is "okay". I haven't met them all yet- but I did meet the OB and she is amazing as well.

The midwife that I love explained to me that I have to meet with every midwife so when I go into labor, I am familiar with whoever is on call....but magically, babies always seem to wait until their favorite is on call to make their appearance.

Hopefully you can find a new OB that you are comfortable with and a decent compromise with where you give birth!

I switched my doctor at 16 weeks. I was just going to my other doctor till I was 20 weeks, but then a month sooner I found my doctor that I now have and feel in love with him!! I definitely think you should find someone you like if your not feeling cared for!! Cuz thats something you DEFINITELY want with your doctor! Thats why I switched. My doc would come in find Kennedis heartbeat and leave. Didnt once ask me if I had any questions..and he had such a thick accent I couldnt understand him.

My doctor now the very first appt he pulled me into his office and we talked for an hour about my pregnancy how it had been going, what my plans were..even about birth!! Then I had my reg appt with him after that! I loved that he took all that time with me

I never switched, but I interviewed a midwife at a birth center when I was around 25 weeks. We didn't go that route simply because of finances (not covered under insurance at all).

I get what you are saying about TOO "out-there" and I think Michelle hit it right on the head- why can't we have state of the art medical care when we need reassurance that everything is okay, but but free to do what is natural when its actually time to give birth? It really is impossible to get both

I wouldn't worry about hurting his feelings. Just say that you decided that you were more comfortable birthing in a hospital (which is a bit of a fib, oh well)....yada yada. By the way, I would be VERY bothered by the "lets just see if you're pregnant in 4 weeks" ESPECIALLY since you've had a 2nd trimester loss in the past. Not empathetic at all. I would be very put off by that.

[soImarriedAnerd]

I switched about 20 weeks -but I switched from a midwife group (that deliver in a birthing center) to just one m/w that would do a homebirth. And then I had an OB for a couple months while in the philippines LOL.
You can change ANYTIME you want to. But I wouldn't lie to them if they ask why you left.....heck my m/w is very all natural but if I want a little something more I just ask and tell her that I would feel better with XX and she understood and would do it. Maybe try that with this guy---just let him know you need to have that reassurance when really nervous...I think he would understand.

[lauren in hi]

I haven't switched during pregnancy, but during my first pregnancy, I sooo badly wanted to switch! I had an HMO, though, and by the time I could have changed my insurance, I would have been too far along for the dr. I wanted to be comfortable accepting me as a new patient. But I ended up changing my insurance when Abby was a few months old so that when I did get pregnant again I could have this dr. as my ob/gyn.

I say if you aren't happy, switch. Esp. since you have quite a few weeks to go...that is a lot of appointments. And I agree w/ the others...you don't have to say anything to this guy, you can let the new dr.'s office request the medical records.

Good luck.