[Ms. Cellaneous]

OK, so I'll admit off the bat that I think I sort of know which one I should go with, I just need a little push...

I've been to two appointments with Dr. #1. She seems friendly enough and answered all my questions, but was a bit brusque and businesslike, especially at the first appt. DH noticed it too, so it wasn't just me being sensitive. The second appt was a little more leisurely. But she doesn't really go into details with her answers, sort of just skims the surface. When I asked about c-section rates she got a little defensive, started telling me all the reasons why c-sections can be medically necessary, which, yeah, sometimes they are, but there was no acknowledgment on her part that a lot of times they're not. On the plus side, when I called with a question about travel, her nurse got back to me within two hours, and I've never waited more than 15 minutes for an appt.

Dr. #2 I had a consultation with, not an actual exam. On the minus side, I had to wait 45 minutes for my appointment. But once I got in, she made me feel like I was her only focus and she had all the time in the world. She went into a lot more detail when I asked her questions about things like birth plans and epidurals, and she told me more about the hospital where she delivers (both use same hospital, which seems to be the most natural, mom-friendly hospital in nyc) than the other dr has in two appointments.

Dr. #1 is a bit more convenient location-wise -- can walk there easily -- but Dr. 2 isn't bad, she's right on a bus line that stops right in front of my apt.

So my choice is between short wait times for appointments and a dr I don't really click with, or longer waits but a dr who really gives me her full attention. Kind of a no-brainer, right? I don't know why I'm hesitating on this.

I guess I'm hesitating to pull the trigger and actually "dump" dr. 1 because it seems like a drastic move. I seem to have a horror of seeming "high-maintenance" that I really need to get over. I'm also worried that Dr. 2 might be different than my first impression, or that my gut feeling about her will turn out to be wrong and then I'll have switched for nothing.

Anyone care to shake me and tell me to make up my mind? I have 16-week appts scheduled with both in a few weeks, so I just need to cancel one.

 

[boobs4milk]

I travel almost an hour to see my dr. She's SO worth it and more like what you describe dr. #2 as. I mean, if she's giving ALL of her patients the attention she's giving me, she will take a bit to get to each one. The only thing I have to worry about with her is her staff, but I feel like we've taken care of that.

I love that she makes me feel like this is MY baby, MY body and MY input is essential. Then, she does take DH into account and she said she thought it was so 'cute' that he was willing to be with me at every appt. and she said you could tell he was worried about me and his baby! She's so awesome!!!

Good luck!

 

[cileag]

Are these MDs actually going to attend the birth? If not, then go with whomever is closest and easiest I think. If yes, then are the hospitals different? I'd choose a hospital over a specific md anyday as the hospital protocols are more likely to interfere/influence your birth than the specific MD.

 

[completebeginnings]

Be high maintenance. It is your birth and to tell you the truth after one or two visits (or even 8) they probably won't remember you. We have a lot of homebirth clients that seem to transfer from one particular doctor (the most natural minded so that makes sense) but one mom saw this doctor from 8 weeks to 35 weeks. We ended up with a hospital transfer so doctor got called in. It had been 3 weeks and he had no recollection of this woman. Realize most OB's are seeing between 4 and 8 women per hour. I would go with the one that will follow what you want for your birth regardless of the travel distance.

 

[Norasmomma]

Full attention gets me every single time. I have already had a dealing with a different dr for DD's prenatal care. She ended up being gone when DD was born(and my subsequent emergency c/s). Anyway I had her and she was fine, until I knew better. I have had to wait at both places, honestly waiting for 45 minutes is kinda normal. I have to travel 35 minutes regardless of Dr's I live in the country and so that's that. Both of these dr's are in the same town, and a block away from each other, same hospital(which is wonderful). I have to say I knew that if I had another baby my first Dr was not going to be my doc because I met my new doc in labor and instantly clicked and thought she was awesome(and was a bit sad I had the other dr). I even told one of my friends to go to her because she was so cool.

Fast forward to now, she really is wonderful. She gave me her undivided attention at my first appt. She instantly gave me a prescription for my acne, she had me come right in the other day because of my spotting and I had an u/s within 2 hours. She freaking rocks, her nurse rocks, I just am loving her.

My other Dr was just so scientific, one thing though I love her nurses, they were really cool. I'm great with my Dr now though she is a ped, and also delivers babies as a specialty. I'm excited because my kids will have a relationship with her from birth and 3 years old. That is wonderful to me. This is a special time and you need to feel important, I'm so glad I made my new choice.

 

[Ms. Cellaneous]

Thanks ladies for your replies! I am feeling more confident about going with dr 2 now. I think full attention is really the way to go.

Cileag to answer your question, yes the dr will be attending my birth, and both drs actually practice at the same hospital (which is known for being the most natural/mom-friendly hospital in the area). My next appointment won't be for another couple weeks, so hopefully all will go well (I'm one of those freaks that looks forward to appointments, lol).