OTHER ALTERNATIVES :)

Avatar for sssjjjbbb
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Registered: 06-23-2003
OTHER ALTERNATIVES :)
9
Wed, 08-27-2003 - 11:40am
Ok, so if anyone read my post about my terrible doctor experience yesterday, you will already know why I changed.

My (old) Dr. would not give me a blood test or explain *anything* to me on what may and may not be going on. I was sceduled for a consultation and she "talked" to me the entire 3.5 minutes she was in the room doing my yearly exam at the same time.

Picture this:

I am in the stirups, she is doing a pap smear and telling me that skipping a period 2 or 3 times a year is not a big deal.

Then she says I am going to order some blood work for you. (I was happy about that until I found out that NONE of the tests she ordered are the normal tests that most of the women in here have...)

Not only that, but the tests all together were going to cost me around $5000.

I was literally putting on my clothes and trying to keep her in the room to talk to me yesterday. I swear she wasnt in the room 5 minutes.

SO,

This morning, (with a TON of help from Melissa, "beach_mel", I found a wonderful answer to my problem!)

I am scheduled to see another new doctor Sept. 10th who works with 2 midwives!

I am THRILLED TO DEATH!

The nurse who made the appt for me was SO KIND and UNDERSTANDING and LISTENED to me!! She was pretty shocked that they wouldnt do a blood pg test yesterday too.

My first appt. includes the doctor, and 2 midwives. I get to pick which midwife I like, and from then on, every visit I will have the Dr, and my midwife.

My insurance covers it completely, the Dr. is associtated with the best hospital in my area, board certified, all that....

The nurse on the phone asked when my last annual was - and I told her it was yesterday, but I want to do everything, - and then she finished my sentence, she said "to get you pregnant!"

I said "YES!!!"

I can tell already that these people actually "care" about me.

My previous dr treated me like I was nothing but a number....she wouldnt even look me in the eye or explain anything to me.

Just wanted you guys to know that there are other alternatives, and other dr's out there if you feel like you are not getting the attention, and or treatment you should be.

There ARE good dr's out there!

You should not be moved along like cattle.

~I'm happy, can you tell???~

Have a great day!

Stephanie

p.s. Thanks Melissa! You have been letting me lean on you week! :)

Avatar for annemd03
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2003
Wed, 08-27-2003 - 11:55am
Wow Stephanie!

That is wonderful!!! Do you mind if I ask where you live?

I'm moving to Seattle in January and will be looking for a good doc...I have some suggestions already, but the idea of a doc AND midwife working with you to help you get pregnant is so great!

I am SO happy that you have found someone else to go to. I know your experience with your other doc was bad...I hate when people are treated as numbers...especially when it comes to something as important (and emotional) as TTC.

Be sure and keep us posted about how your next appointment goes.

Take care,

Anne

Anne - Proud Mommy to Rachel Elizabeth!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2003
Wed, 08-27-2003 - 12:14pm
Aww jee thanks Stephanie ;)

I'm just happy you are getting the attention and RESPECT you DESERVE. My Mom is a retired nurse, I am a very PRO-ACTIVE patient LOL. I cannot stand to be treated as an idiot when I go to the doctor. Everyone deserves to have their questions and fears addressed we are soooo sorry it takes 15 more minutes than you (Dr.) are used to but hello we are paying you.....

What always scares me about those numbers type Dr's like your (old) doctor LOL is what the Hell would they treat you like during the pregnancy and birth???? If they can't give you 15 minutes to discuss your 59 day cycle or TTC for 14 months, how are they going to treat you when you call with the false labor, why does my ___ hurt, questions etc??? Probably the same way, like CRAP!!!!! *Disclaimer not all doctors are bad just Stephanie's old one LOL*

I am seeing a M/W when we get PG, from what I read on average their appointments are 1 hour, thats right girls one hour of uninterupted attention from a medical professional *gasp*

Once again congrats on finding a good fit. I hope your road to conception rolls by much more smoothly now.

Avatar for sssjjjbbb
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-23-2003
Wed, 08-27-2003 - 2:24pm
Hi Anne!

I live in Florida. Here is the link where I found information on midwives in my area. The Dr. I am using was the first one of 3 that are within 10 miles of my house that accept my insurance. I was suprised to see SO MANY!! I am sure that there will be alot more in Seattle...my town is not nearly that big!

Stephanie

Here you go:

http://www.midwife.org/find/

Avatar for annemd03
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2003
Wed, 08-27-2003 - 2:44pm
Thanks for the info! I'm going to check it out...

(((Hugs)))

Anne

Anne - Proud Mommy to Rachel Elizabeth!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2003
Wed, 08-27-2003 - 2:54pm
Hi Steph, I'm so pleased you found a Dr you feel positive about. When I read your post about the old one I wanted to cry for you. I find it hard to believe that someone so insensitive could have a sucessfull career in such an emotive area of medicine.

You must feel so much better that you can be more pro-active, and are finally going to get some answers. I just hope you take your bump into that Dr's office and show her what a bit of understanding can do.

The appt's not too far away, so I hope you can relax a bit in the meantime.

Wishing you the very best

Dannie

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Registered: 05-30-2003
Wed, 08-27-2003 - 3:03pm
Greetings!

Just thought I'd post my two pg cents :) When I found out I was pg I made an appointment with my OB/GYN for a blood test. Turns out he had to do a delivery during my appointment hour so I saw thier midwife instead. I LOVE her. I really like my original doctor, but there is defnitely something to be said about the calming, relaxing, caring, unhurried nature of most midwives. Although, like others have said, I am sure there are MANY wonderful doctors, and MANY not-so-wonderful midwives out there. It's just a matter of finding who and what works for you. Anywho...I agree that it's wonderful when the midwife is associated with a larger practice...for me it's reassuring that if, God forbid, anyone turns into a high risk pregancy the doctors are right there to help her out, if need be. Anyway, it's such a personal choice, but for me I've decided to continue seeing the midwife. I hope that everyone out there finds the perfect doctor, midwife, etc... for them...every woman deserves to have that :) Good luck!

Cheers!

Lori & Lil One

EDD 4/16/04

Avatar for soprano1965
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 08-27-2003 - 3:12pm
that's absolutely the #1 reason why I see a midwife. There is a huge difference, and in this day and age of managed care I truly can't understand why women put up with OB's when *you* have a choice.

Kim

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2003
Wed, 08-27-2003 - 3:15pm
Hi Lori,

I just wanted to say that I totally agree with you.

Here in the UK, unless you have any major problems, you are seen only by midwives for ante-natal visits and checks. They just seem to understand more of what you are going through. They have much more time, and seem more willing to listen to you. My midwife with DD helped me so much during my pregnancy, and even continued to home visit me after the birth (a difficult c-section). I'm sure that without her It would have been much harder.

HOORAY FOR THE MIDWIFE!!

Dannie 6wks 3d

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Avatar for sssjjjbbb
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-23-2003
Wed, 08-27-2003 - 4:30pm
I am even more happy now that I have read your opinions! I am so excited, I feel like things are really *happening* now. (And I'm not even pg!) LOL

Stephanie