Any second time moms feel like pandemic prenatal care is sub par?

Question

I feel like my ob doesn’t even want to touch me. I’ll be 35 weeks this week, and i have no idea if my baby is positioned correctly, or what his size estimate is. My last appointment was at 33 weeks, and the only reason why she measured my stomach was because i asked her to (after repeatedly questioning about it before). She hadn’t measured anything prior to that, where as with my first, they started measuring my fundal height at 20 weeks. 
About 80% of my appointments have been canceled, rescheduled, or moved to video appointments. Which I thought was hilarious because at the video appointment they were like, ‘do you have a blood pressure cuff to take your blood pressure’? Uh... no... lol... don’t you think that’s kind of important to monitor in the third trimester?...
They just canceled my 37 week appointment with out even telling me, because my OB wasn’t going to be in office that day, and I only noticed because I was double checking times because my husband has to take time off work to watch our daughter, because I’m not allowed to bring her with me. I honestly don’t think they would have even bothered to reschedule it had I not brought it to their attention. 
Is it just me who feels like the quality of prenatal care right now is absolute garbage? Like, ‘hi, any questions? Ok. LEAVE’.. I swear I’m not super high maintenance or demanding, it’s just shocking the difference between my first pregnancy and this one.
**edit**
Went in today 4/16 for my 35 week appointment and they canceled my appointment again with out telling me. Luckily I took screen shots of my appointment times on my app, to prove to them I had them scheduled. So now i won’t be seen until 37 weeks. Meaning, I haven’t been seen since 33, and only one in office appointment so far in my 3rd trimester. 
Called my insurance and filed a grievance against my office.

Answer

You need to switch doctors! This is not normal or due to the pandemic. The doctor should still be doing all the ultrasounds and checks. And definitely not scheduling you for video appointments when they know you’re third trimester. It sounds like your doctor just doesn’t care.

Answer

I feel mine has been subpar as well. I also had to ask for them to measure me. My first child had a growth restriction and was 4lb 12oz at 39 weeks 5 days and so I have been concerned about weight this whole time. The ob spends maybe 5 mins in the room and instead of talking to me they have been giving me a tablet to talk to me about breast feeding and rooming in procedures. Having a pandemic baby is a whole different ride than the first one I am glad this is not my first kid.

Answer

I know I’m the outlier here, but I kind of enjoy the reduced doctor’s appointments. This is my second pregnancy and I am low risk. My ob told me I didn’t have to do the 34 week appointment and I can do the 37 and 38 week appointments at home as long as I have a blood pressure cuff. In my opinion, there’s not much that’s done during those appointments and it’s nice not to have to take time off work to attend them. I don’t think I’ve received less care since Covid. My appointments were always pretty quick with vitals taken, stomach measured, and any questions answered. Again, I’m low risk and I’ve been through this before, so I’d rather not waste time with unnecessary appointments.

Answer

Whoa you should have switched ASAP! My OB is not like that at all! Though measuring fundal height isn’t as common here for some reason. Sorry you’re going through this at a time where you deserve all the care!

Answer

My Dr is the same but I'm 36 weeks now. A little too late to change doctors. My last 2 appointments, I've seen a totally new dr and that bothers me also. I have no familarity with anyone right now and it's making me anxious

Answer

My drs have only done 2 urine tests and they don’t really check for proteins anymore due to it not being very accurate for preeclampsia. I’ve only been seen in person 5 times this whole pregnancy. They check the fundal height but also added it’s not very telling because belly and body shapes vary so the measurements don’t mean much. Ultrasound measurements aren’t too accurate either. 
I did switch from one midwife to another, because I had only seen my previous midwife twice in over 20 Weeks and that wasn’t enough for me, everything was telemed until I switched at 27 weeks to the new clinic.

Answer

I don’t think that’s normal and not at all typical with what I’ve experienced.  I’m so sorry! ☹️

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This is my second pregnancy with the same OB, nothing has changed for us. She checks baby’s heart beat and measures fundal height every appt.

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I have seen my OB just as often as I did with my first. She does do some things a bit different than the doctor I had last time but when I asked she was happy to explain (doesnt do urine samples unless a problem is indicated, stops measuring fundal height after about 30 weeks). She weighs me, checks heartrate of babe and my bp every appointment. I had a growth scan at 32 weeks. I am in Ontario, Canada for reference so covid is definitely a major issue here and I still feel my care has been good. Sorry you’re not happy with your care, that would be frustrating!

Answer

Definitely not normal. They need to be doing all that stuff to make sure you both are doing good.

Any second time moms feel like pandemic prenatal care is sub par?

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