Should I request a new OB?

Question

My OB is very young and very new. She went on maternity leave early into my pregnancy so I have only had 6 or 7 appointments with her, but she is back now. She has always been very vague during appointments and I have to ask her questions and fish for answers a lot. If I didn't ask any questions I don't think she would ask me how I was doing. She listens to the heartbeat and measures my belly but always says "she's doing good" or "she's measuring fine", but no specifics unless I fish for them. Every appointment is 5 minutes or less and feels rushed. She doesn't do cervical checks because "they are uncomfortable". Im already 36 weeks along but just don't feel...happy with her. Is it too late to see someone else?

Answer

I saw an OB fresh out of college without any children of her own and I ran so fast out of that doctor’s office and never returned. I much rather have an experienced doctor that at least has some empathy. But honestly my appointments now at 36 weeks even with my OBs with lots of experience are short but sweet. My docs are attentive but there’s no need for a long appointment at this stage in the game.

Answer

Cervical checks increase the likelyhood of infection, most doctors in my area won't do them until fullterm unless you have a reason to need one. (I.E. Contractions or extreme pressure)
The cervical check really doesn't do anything for you until you're actually in labor other than add to the anticipation. My doctor doesn't tell me my belly measurements but I never ask, I wouldn't know if its within normal range and I'd probably take to google and stress myself out. All they do is heartbeat, belly measurements and ask if I have questions and how I'm feeling. If I ask any questions or express concern, they answer them and let me know. Other than that their policy is no news is good news, if they don't mention something its because they arent worried. They've always been this way, for the 7 years I've gone to their practice before and during pregnancy.

Answer

Cervical checks won’t tell you anything, she’s right in that they’re uncomfortable. 
My OB is experienced, and doesn’t tell me specific measurements or baby’s heart rate. Creates less worry when you’re not being told “baby’s heart rate is _____, you’re measuring ______”. If there was concern, I’m sure your OB would let you know. 
My last practice rotated me between all 4 OB’s on staff and only one ever told me measurements.

Answer

I think it’s more a personality thing. That’s what my visits are like with experienced OBs. Honestly I just see everyone in my practice since i don’t know who is going to be on call when I deliver. Some of them I get along with better and some I don’t. And it has nothing to do with experience - it’s really all personality match. One of the more experienced doctors in my practice I don’t like at all because I think she’s harsh and not empathetic. So even if she has delivered the most babies, I still would rather have a “less experienced” doctor who makes me feel more comfortable. Nothing your OB is doing sounds unusual. That being said, most important is whether or note you feel comfortable. 
Also for the person who commented about “straight out of college.”  I’m a physician and went to four years of high school, four years of college, four years of medical school, three years of residency, and two years of fellowship before ever landing my first job. I am not an OB but delivered over 25 babies just as a third year med student. The physician you saw perhaps was not so great as there are certainly bad doctors just like there are bad lawyers and bad bankers and bad waiters. But def don’t equate a physician’s experience to lets say an NPs or PAs (who also aren’t just out of college but have far less training). Even a “brand new doctor” has years and years of intensive experience. Like working 36 hours shifts for four years straight delivering healthy babies and also high risk ones. An OB “straight out of ‘college’” as you’d say delivered my first baby and did a perfect job. I had 0 reservations!!! But most important is find a doctor with whom you feel comfortable! So if there are any doubts then switch!

Answer

Some of this sounds normal, some might just be personality differences. Unless there is something wrong or a concern you need to discuss, there’s no reason for appointments to take longer than a few minutes. And, doctors aren‘t mind readers; if all your numbers are checking out and you aren’t bringing up any concerns, they have no reason to dig into how you’re doing proactively. From their perspective you seem to be doing great, ya know? 
That said, if you’re asking for certain things (like cervical checks) or are explicitly asking for more detail on how baby is doing, and not getting the things you need, that’s a problem. I might consider changing only because it would really bug me to not have a doctor that was listening to me.

Answer

This has been my experience with my well known ob who has 20 years experience. I asked to see the other two doctors now that I’m at the end to meet them. It was the same. I think they’re overbooked and unless there’s an issue it’s kinda like no news is good news. I almost switched to a midwife cuz I’m more needy than my experience so far but I really do think my ob last qualified . Maybe next baby.

Answer

My ob doesnt have the best bedside manner but she is older and very knowledgable. She answers any question I have thoroughly and gives me an explaination of everything she sees on the ultrasound without me having to ask. She does 1-3 deliveries a week and I feel confident with her delivering my son soon. Folliw your instincts.

Answer

That’s how most OBs are. Mine has 20 years experience and is the same way. They’re over booked and chasing 💲💲 in my opinion.

Answer

No it's not to late I just changed my ob I'm 36weeks and 3days and I was seeing this doctor since day one even though he is old I have always had to ask questions and demands and practically begged answers I wanted to change him for a long time but my husband didn't so I just stayed with him FYI my husband spoke his language so it was easy to talk to him so I just ignored but last week was horrible I was sent to a hospital for a consultation and there I saw this stupid obgyn sorry for the words but she is I was having rib pain and nothing was helping can't sleep so I saw this doctor and she's like u need to start taking zolaf and transferring me to a mental hospital I'm like what the f this is not why I'm here she didn't even ask anything about my ribs or anything concerning pregnancy she just wanted to make me that I'm crazy with stupid questions like do u hear voices   I think u have anxiety maybe bipolar I really need u to go to a mental hospital I left the hospital devastated and got home crying calling my original obgyn and literally crying and snapped at them for this consultation there like that's not why we sent u I'm like I know it's ur problem to literally get me to the right person not to do this to me they said sorry I'm like no f way I'm leaving this office for good I know I have the right to sewing them but I have no time now I'm almost due so in my opinion never ignore ur guts if u don't feel comfortable just leave

Answer

This really sucks. My appointment are supposed to be 15 minutes but sometimes I am there for 45 minutes. I get to ask all of the questions I have and she gives me a lot of details. You deserve that too. I don’t know whether it is too late but it would be good to call and ask.

Should I request a new OB?

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