My (not-so) update - RANT!

[lisaywg]

Well, ladies, I went for my doctor's appointment today and am really mad right now.  She took my blood pressure and asked how I was feeling.  I told her that the nausea was subsiding.  I asked her about an ultrasound.  She asked "what for?"  I was stunned.  I said that I want to see a heartbeat and know if everything is ok so far.  She said that it was not necessary and what if I didn't hear a heartbeat anyway, then what would I do?  I'm 10w3d and know that many of you have already seen or heard heartbeats.  I said can I have anyone anyway?  She said that fear is no reason to have an ultrasound.  She checked my blood pressure, no blood or urine test!  She tried to hear the heartbeat with the Doppler, but nothing yet.   She said it's too early to tell anything and there's no way to tell if everything is ok so far.  She told me to come back in 3 weeks instead of 4 to try the Doppler again.  I am so fuming mad!  Am I out of line?  Help!

[lisaywg]

My cousin, who is a doula, was telling me about this place (about 5 minutes from my house) called Baby Moon.  They will do non diagnostic ultrasounds for 75.00!  Their website (for Winnipeg):

http://babymoonultrasound.com/Location-Contact-Us.php

[SingleMum]

I suppose I should clarify--I had my fertility treatment and IVF done in California, but I live in North Carolina.  I travel to California once a month, but I am required to have ultrasounds every two weeks.  I wish my RE could be my OB as well--he is incredible!!!  Sadly, I'll have to leave that practice at week 14. :-(

[SingleMum]

Sorry you had to go through that.  It sounds like your system of socialized medicine really restricts your freedom to choose.  I had a less than pleasant experience with one of my doctors, but I'm leaving that practice.  I was there for my first prenatal visit at 8 weeks 1 day.  The doctor walked into the room and the first thing he said was, "So, you're what, five minutes pregnant?"  He had been looking at an ultrasound image that was two weeks old!  I told him how far along I was and he started shuffling through my chart.  When he realized he'd made a mistake, he didn't even apologize.  Even if I had been, "5 minutes pregnant," after the hell I went through for my IVF cycle (the injections I had to give myself twice a day in the stomach and thigh, the retrieval, the transfer, and the two week wait), he should have been congratulating me, not belittling me!  Naturally, I've begun shopping around for a new practice.  

[lisaywg]

Thanks ladies for your support.  This isn't an OB, this is my family doctor who I have been seeing for 20+ years!   Where I live it's not easy to switch doctors, most of them are not taking new patients.  All the good doctors are moving to the US (I'm in Canada).  

I had a bit of spotting overnight and now I'm a bit more worried.  I think it stopped.  If it comes back I'm going to the ER.  Then I may get an ultrasound!

[jenandjon]

Sounds like typical doctor/nurse/insurance relationship.....ooooo....was that relationship supposed to include US...the patient...uhhhh...someone forgot to tell these A holes that.

I totally agree. Switch doctors.  Even if its just the nurse.  Doesn't matter.  I would so find another practice.

The truth is...most of the time they don't want to see you or do anything that costs them money until after 12 weeks because the natural miscarriage rate is so high.  The money grubbers think only want you once you have what they consider a "viable" pregnancy (one that's made it past 12 weeks).

Good luck hun.  Hope things go better next time.

[Berrygirl]

Oh my..What in tarnation are wrong with these OBs these days. This makes me want to go bacl to school and be the OB I was going to be. They can be really insentive and ridiculous. You are not out of line and what you request for reassurance should not be questioned in the manner in which you state the doctor did.

First of all you can see a heart beat at around 6 weeks..or so. Second you can doppler a heart beat anywhere between 10 and 12 weeks. Now that I am the doppler expert, I wish I could come to your house and bring my doppler and find it for you to give you some reassurance.

Yes the uterus is likely below the pubic line, or even right at it...I am not having any trouble dipping down there to find the beats...As for my little bean he/she moves and I have to find the heartbeat in different places...

Keep your head up..and I know its hard to change OBs, I am in the middle of seeking a new one myself...but it comes down to our comfortability and needs. We do not need to feel uncomfortable with the one that should be the closest to us when we deliver....

[pmperez]

Yes I think thats pretty insensitive, although I have been told I have to wait until Im May 13th to hear the heartbeat, I asked why because noone would ever tell my why you can see the heartbeat but you cant hear it until later and she said that your uterus is under your pubic bone until your around 12 weeks, I was glad I finally got an answer...my midwife also said that since I have made it this far I would not be getting so many ultrasounds anymore...kinda scary....I've had alot because of miscarriage....good luck

[Ainsleigh]

This is horrible!!!!! I think you have every right to be infuriated.  I can't believe a doctor could say such insensitive things- geez- I thought I had some poor experiences with my OB but I think your situation is much worse.  

Is there another practice you can switch to?  If so, after you switch, I'd call this doc and tell her your records need to be transferred and explain exactly why you never want to see her again!