should I get a new doctor?

Question

Not sure if I'm just overreacting. This is my second pregnancy. At my first appointment my doctor told me he wanted me to wait until I was at least 20 weeks to have my first ultrasound but the nurse convinced him other wise. I had my second prenatal (I was 16 weeks) on Thursday. All he did was listen to the heart beat and tell me it was in the "130s". He didn't tell me an exact number and I'm pretty sure he didn't even know an exact number. He didn't measure where my uterus was, only guessed that it was at the right spot to listen to the heart beat. He also has it that I'm okay to lift 50lbs at work. Is this all okay or am I just over reacting? 
My FIRST doctor for my FIRST pregnancy gave me four ultrasounds by the time I was 22 weeks because he wanted to make sure everything was going nicely and that no mistakes were made. And he would always check my uterus and give me an exact number for the heartbeat.
Not sure if I was just "spoiled" by the first doctor or if this doctor isn't that great. I go to a place with resident doctors so it wouldn't be hard to switch.

Answer

He sounds kind of loosey-goosey. And 50 pounds sounds high. You don't sound comfortable so I'd find another doc.

Answer

Your doctor's practices are within normal but if you are uncomfortable with that, you should switch. It's important to be feel compatibility with your care provider.

Answer

I think you were just spoiled with your first doctor. Not many doctors give you a lot of ultrasounds unless you're high risk. I was never told the heart rate with my first and I haven't been told with this one.

Answer

Im not sure why you had 4 ultrasounds before 22 weeks?? I was not told an exact HR just "140s" but I was happy with that. I'm sure your doctor had an exact number and if you wanted to know, you should have asked. As a nurse, I can't think of an instance in which I would measure a heart rate in 10s. And my doctor doesn't start fundal checks until later.

Answer

Everything sounds pretty normal. Has your insurance changed? Sometimes the ultrasounds depend on your coverage. I had 1 at 8 weeks and then not another one until 16-20 weeks but I have pretty high coverage. The lifting sounds normal if that's what you're used to. Even being on pelvic rest due to placenta problems, I was still allowed to lift 20 pounds. The heartbeat range sounds normal. Most of my appts consist of listening to the heartbeat and going home. They don't measure belly until 34 weeks or so. You should of course feel comfortable with your dr, but it doesn't sound like he's doing anything wrong either.

Answer

Sounds normal to me. My doc only gave me an U/S at 10W4D bc I wanted one. That week was my 1st time seeing him so he was fine with doing a dating U/S. Otherwise, my monthly appt yesterday was just a matter of peeing in a cup, weight, BP, and he listened to the heartbeat, said 150 and that was it. See ya next month. He didn't go in and check my uterus or anything. He pushed on my stomach a bit and said it feels fine.

Next month I'll have my gender/anatomy U/S at 19W but other than that, that is how my monthly appointments go. Unless you're having ISSUES, there shouldn't be anything wrong or a need for him to do more.

Answer

I'm on baby 3 and I've had 3 drs now. 1st and 2nd both said I can lift whatever I feel comfortable lifting. If it feels to heavy stop. My 2nd one came early because of an ovarian cyst bursting at 32 weeks and couldn't stop labor. So this doctor had pretty much told me to take it as easy as possible because she doesn't want to risk it...had my son not come early she said she would have no problems going about lifting stuff as I see fit.

Answer

He sounds like a normal doctor. I easily lift 50 pounds, lifting kids, and working out. My doctor only started doing ultrasounds before 20 weeks last year, because so many people begged (one ultrasound between 8-9 weeks.  They don't check fundal height until after 20 weeks. And an exact number for heart rate is unnecessary, if you would've asked he would've told you, though. If you just don't like the guy, definitely find a new doctor, but don't do it because he does things differently from your last.

Answer

Yes, get a new doctor. I had an US at 8 weeks (Dating scan), 14 weeks (NT scan) and 18 weeks (anatomy scan), and wouldn't have it any other way. I think I also should have at least one more in my 3rd trimester.

I would think AT LEAST the NT scan is very important in case your baby is at a high risk for DS to allow you time to do more tests and decide if you want to keep it.

Also, 50 pounds is way too much. Sure, if you job is to literally lift 50 pounds day in and day out then it may be fine, but if it's only in your job description and only happens occasionally then you should not be expected to do it when you're pregnant.

Answer

This is my first pregnancy so I'm not an expert, but 50 pounds does seem like a lot. My doctor told me 30 is the most I can lift. But if you are accustomed to lifting more at work and your doctor knows this, it might be okay. You could always ask one of the nurse practitioners as well.

should I get a new doctor?

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