Dr not fulfilling his duties?

Question

Last 2 days not feeling well. Gained a few lbs (inexplicably), shortness of breath, nose bleeding (a lot), some floaters here and there. Called the Dr today as woke up not feeling better (I'm 37/5) and Dr said, go to the ER. I was like why? Why can't I come in first.. I live 10 min away. The receptionist said he's really busy and he's not feeling well himself and just trying to get through his day.  I asked to see his father and they said no, he's busy too. Hmm. Hung up. Thought about it. Then called my husband who happens to be away today at a seminar and school is out for teacher work day so going to the ER is logistically not probable. Husband called the Dr and receptionist put him on hold 8 min came back and she said no, go to hospital. 
Does this seem odd or negligent? I have by no means been in touch with his office excessively. I called once at 35 weeks as I thought water had broken and it had not (was a gush of urine). Otherwise, only scheduled appointments with the OB and zero phone calls. Why the refusal?! Now I'm emotionally scared to deliver with him! His reputation was suppose to be "the best."

Answer

If you got to the er any labs will be done faster. I'm going through this my self. Office has sent me down stairs to triage 3 time in 2 weeks.. my labs get done faster and I get more at once like monitoring and my OBGYN is in communication with the triage and Maternal Fetal Medical Specialist..so yes it's frustrating but if you go in and you are in an emergency they do not have time to get you to the hospital, but if your there already they can come for an emergency. Hope that helps

Answer

Seems like a pretty normal practice to me.

Answer

Are there any other doctors in the office that can see you? If not I guess your only choice would be to go to ER. Kinda ridiculous they want you to go without it being an emergency. Because that's what ERs are for. I would be upset that I couldn't be seen for a short time. I get that they are busy, but being 9 months pregnant you should be a high priority. My doctor has been pretty good about this and there are 5 doctors in his practice. So either way i could see someone.

Answer

No I think that's fair- there may be urgent tests that he can't do at the doctors surgery but that ER can do right away.. plus if you come into doctors and he thinks you are sick enough for admission/further investigations then you would then need to go to ER anyway. Sounds like he is trying to cut out the middleman for you save you hassle of back & forth. 
Plus if he has started not feeling well he probably doesn't want to risk infecting a heavily pregnant patient with whatever bug he might have.

Answer

It's beyond normal. There are SO many women that your doctor alone sees on a daily basis. They tell you to go to the ER because they ARE busy, with other appointments on top of being called in for deliveries which are far more important than a patient simply feeling sick.

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Not uncommon

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Just go to the hospital. Maybe you are exhibiting signs of something they knew they couldn't treat you for in the office.

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You need to remember they are humans too, overworked, long hours of surgery, seeing patients. They can get sick too. You should have gone to the er or l&d directly since they are usually well equipped for emergency situations. The only call doc would see you and treat you.

Answer

On one hand I would be pissed bc an ER copay for me is like $250 and office visit is $25... but if they can't see you they can't see you. And at the end of the day you gotta do what you gotta do for yourself and baby

Dr not fulfilling his duties?

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