Mothering › Groups › January 2013 Due Date Club › Discussions › So frustrated with all doctors ever. And midwives.

So frustrated with all doctors ever. And midwives.

post #1 of 5
Thread Starter 

Ok, so this is me having a little bit of a temper tantrum. I've gone to the same hospital based midwifery practice for both of my pregnancies.  Today I waited for over an hour and 15 minutes, just to have the midwife, who I remember visiting me in the hospital after I gave birth last time to screen me for PTSD after my traumatic birth/c-section, comes in and has no idea who I am, obviously hasn't reviewed my chart, is all flustered for being behind on her schedule, can't work the computer to look up my records, forgets what she has to get done at the appointment, and then asks me all these questions about why I had the c-section (Ummm, you told me I need to?!!).

 

I spent last year being poked and prodded by gastroenterologists, who couldn't diagnose me with anything other than IBS, after a 30 pound unexplained weight loss, alternating diarrhea and constipation, rectal bleeding, chronic migraines and debilitating fatigue. The GI practice seemed utterly unprepared to deal with something that wasn't diabetes/colon polyps. They told me to eat a bland diet of white rice, white pasta and white bread, which made me even sicker. I looked like I was on chemo. It was bad. (I eventually went to acupuncture, who said it was my damp kidneys, did some treatments and recommended no gluten, which seemed to work, thankfully and I recovered my health).

 

As a result of my illness last year, I quit my full time job with the nice insurance, so now all we can afford is a high deductible plan, and I think it just irritates me more to be paying lots of money for unprofessional and ineffective service. Like, it was ok when I had an HMO and just paid $5. But now that it's out of pocket, I'm a hot hormonal pregnant mess over it. 

 

Ok, rant over. nut.gif

post #2 of 5

Oh my goodness!!  I completely agree.  We won't have insurance for when this baby comes out and I was losing my sh*t about the whole mess for a while.  Luckily, I finally realized that means I can go see anyone I want.  If I have to pay every cent, I'm going to be very happy with the service.

Doctors don't know anything about the GI tract when it messes up.  I am glad you found a solution that worked for you.  I went through years of something like that when I had ulcerative colitis.  I finally found an herb that cost $18 a month that was effective to replace the $100 a week chemo drug that just messed me up more.  You might look into a health coach if you have those kinds of problems again.  They can really be much more helpful because they understand that food is related to your health, unlike dr's who somehow miss the connection all together.

Call the midwife practice on the bs if it would make you feel better.  They should know better!!!

post #3 of 5

I completely agree with you.  I just came back from an appointment at the local women's practice - and I'm so no happy with them.  My appointment was at 2:15, I finally got seen at 3PM.  I'm realizing how smart and special the midwife I had for my last pregnancy was.
 

post #4 of 5
Thread Starter 

I feel less mad and more empowered today. I started to think about what a good job I did with researching and seeking alternative therapies when I was sick last year.  I was a good advocate for myself then and I can do it again!


And my daughter's pediatrician is very competent and trustworthy. It's nice that I have that lined up for this baby. 

 

Also, I got my blood work back today and my platelets are still low. They were 150 last time and are now 135. It seems that it's possible this is just a side effect of pregnancy, but could I be doing anything to boost them?

post #5 of 5

My family has an individual health insurance plan, but no maternity care AT ALL...so that means we're paying out of pocket for everything!  I am so thankful that I'm having a homebirth with this little baby, because my planned natural birth with a midwife practice at a local hospital did not go well with DD 2 years ago!  I'd rather pay a midwife myself and actually enjoy the process.  She comes to my house for prenatals, so no waiting around at an office, we have long enjoyable visits and talk about all kinds of things birth related and otherwise, and she'll be as hands-on or hands-off as I need her to be when I'm in labor. 


I can't imagine going back to the midwives practice I went to with DD, it was basically like being with an OB office (and not a naturally minded one) compared to my experience this time. 

 

Definitely keep doing your research, and make a switch if you need to!  It's never too late to find a midwife you're comfortable with.

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