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Dear Childbirth Educator:
I have a dilemma I don’t know
quite how to handle.
I am 32 weeks pregnant with my first
baby and have become more and more unhappy with my obstetrician. He
seems disinterested, rushes me through exams, will not discuss my
birth plan with me and has bluntly let my husband and I know that
I’ve had a healthy “textbook” pregnancy and
that’s the way he expects labor to go so there won’t be
any need to make changes in his usual protocol at the hospital.
When I have asked what he means by that, he simply states that all
the nurses know what he likes done and therefore not to worry. He
was referred to me by a colleague who said he wasn’t like
this 3 years ago, but for whatever reason, he is no longer taking
the same interest in his patients as before. I like the hospital,
but I am really not looking to going through labor with this
doctor, even though I know he won’t be there throughout the
entire labor. What is your recommendation?
Linda Reynolds
Chicago, IL
Dear Linda:
You are right at the cut off time when it
will become difficult to find another doctor to take you on but you
may be able to if you act quickly.
First of all, I would check out the other
hospitals in your area and see if there is another one you feel
comfortable with. Take tours and ask questions. Then find a labor
and delivery nurse who has a few minutes and who has experience at
that hospital (at least several years’ worth) to listen to
your situation, letting her know you would like a recommendation
from her to a doctor who would meet your needs. The L & D
nurses know the doctors best and are usually most candid. Get a few
names in order of priority.
Then it is up to you to make an
appointment to meet choice #1, with or without an exam (you may
have to pay out of pocket for this visit, but make sure the doctor
is covered by your insurance.) Once you have made a decision, the
doctor will have you sign a transfer of paperwork, which their
office will fax to your old doctor. This way you do not need to
have any phone conversation or meeting with your doctor, which
could get uncomfortable.
Hopefully you will find a new doctor you
will be much more at ease with, which will make your birth
experience a very different experience. Let me know how things turn
out for you.
--Leslye
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