OB dilemma, WWYD

[Lousli]

Okay, so I'll try not to write a novel, but no promises.

I'm high risk, for two previous premature births, so I plan to have a hospital birth with an OB and will also be seeing a perinatologist.

With my first, I saw a female OB that was fine, she's pretty good, but my insurance no longer covers her.

With my second, I saw a male OB that I quite liked, and he promised to take call to deliver my baby (which he did) but there are other docs in his call group I don't like. I'm still with this group for routine care but haven't had my first prenatal yet.

I recently heard from my mom (who is a CNM) and another OB that his practice is crazy busy and there are docs outside of his call group that deliver his patients. And when I went in to have my IUD out it was the other doc that I don't like and I found him patronizing, dismissive, and out-of-date as far as caring for patients in PTL. However I might be able to convince my doc to be on call for me again.

The other problem is that I haven't felt like his office is great about getting back in touch through emails. But I'm sure if I called it would be easier.

Another option I have is a female OB who is the mother of a child in my class. Possibly socially awkward. And she doesn't deliver at my preferred hospital or in fact at a hospital with a good NICU, so if I did have a preemie needing NICU care the baby would be transferred or I would have to deliver at the farther away hospital.

If I switch to her I also have to switch medical groups for my insurance and that would mean either seeing a new primary care doc (not that big an issue since I rarely see him anyway, but still establishing new care with a new doc) or I could switch to a group that would cover her, and my PCP, but I'd need to see a different perinatologist than the one I've met with already. I really liked this peri, and I felt like her plan for my pregnancy was a good one.

Argh, what should I do?

[shoefairy3]

Are you sure the female dr wont deliver at the hospital of your choice. Often they will use other hospitals. Otherwise, i'd maybe try to find a 4th option

[jcregan]

My thought was also see what other options/ OBs you can find. Maybe figure out which hospitals / groups etc. would give you the options you need without having to switch your peri or insurance etc. then maybe visit or interview if you can to find someone whose practice seems promising.

[kikaaaso]

Oooh, I don't like your options!! I definitely would want to find a doctor that delivered at the hospital that has a NICU..otherwise you will be having who knows who. Is there maybe another group that also delivers at that hospital? I hope you find someone you feel comfortable with. (((Hugs)))

[Mrs.Music]

DDCC-

I'm just being nosy as the mother of 2 preemies myself... How early were your babies and why were they early? Why do you think you'll need a hospital birth if you go to term, or do you just want one?

I got lucky. I am seeing a midwife and a high risk OB. I'll be getting a cerclage and extra check ups. But if I make it to term, I get my homebirth with my midwife. Also, the OB delivers at both nearby hospitals depending on gestation or preference and my midwife would come just to be support if I did go to the hospital, like last time. I'd keep looking if I were you. There has to be someone out there who is right for you. And you probably have a little time.