HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOUR DR IS

Doing everything to make sure you and your baby are ok.

The reason I ask this is b/c 1) The test Jenrenee took I knew nothing about 2) The test Stacey took is it mandatory??? How will you know?? or how did you know that he/she is doing all to ensure that you and baby are progressing and there is nothing wrong. I currently have a male OBGYN, wonderful man, but I cannot see me preggo and him taking care of me, I am going to switch b/c I do not think he has the bedside manner for a preggo lady, I think he is a better adult dr. I do not see him as a caring baby type. I love him and I will miss him, but I do not get that feeling from him. He is my mom's dr and my gf's dr, we all love him, but the gentleness for a baby or a preggo lady I do not know if its in him. I do not know how I am going to tell him tho' He has been teaching me about different forms of BC and he prescribed my prenatals and he is great, but I do not want him as my OBgyn when the time come. THanks for listening all

Re: HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOUR DR IS

That's a difficult one. However, you have to do what feels right for you.

Re: HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOUR DR IS

Shamma, that is an excellent question.

As far as tests and things like that, the one I took was optional. I read about in in a few books (including the Mayo clinic one that we all have ), and I asked my doctor about it early on. He said he offers it to his patients, but doesn't insist. When the time came for me to have it, he offered, and we opted to have it for Patrick's peace of mind.

The test Stacey had is given to ladies 35+ routinely, and others for various reasons. Again, I THINK it's optional.

Keep that Mayo Clinic book handy as a reference. It definitely helps me to know what to expect, and educates me enough to ask good questions about my care. Pregnancy Week By Week, and What to Expect When You're Expecting are also very good resources.

To answer your question about how I know my dr. is doing everything he can to make sure I continue to have a healthy pregnancy and baby:

#1, he came highly recommended to me by someone who had numerous complications with her pregnancies, and who I trust completely.

and #2, I can just sense that he is committed to his patients. I can see this in his treatment of me, how he explains things to Patrick so carefully, and how he encourages me to call any time, with any question, no matter how small. I feel extremely well cared for.
In fact, when we were waiting for our test results, my doctor himself, not his nurse or receptionist, called to give them to me. I was quite impressed.

If you aren't sure your current dr. is right for you once you are pregnant, start shopping around now. Ask for referrals, make a few consultation appointments... feel out the lay of the land. You never know... you may end up right back with your own doctor, or you may find someone new and wonderful.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

Re: HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOUR DR IS

Thanks Jen, I appreciate that. I don't think my Dr is bad by any means, he is affiliated with one of the best hospitals here in NYC and he did both my mom's surgery and my gf's. He was very patient with me and all my BC trials, I do not feel him as a baby dr tho' A few ladies on here gave me recommendations for some in the city and I am going to try them out. THank goodness we can switch with ease.

Re: HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOUR DR IS

I definitely got the idea that you love your present doctor. I didn't get the the impression from you that he was bad at all!

I agree with you that there are different doctors for different stages in our lives.

Re: HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOUR DR IS

Great question Shamma.
If you feel that your dr. is not doing what you feel he should be..I would go elsewhere too.
I used to live in East Northport, and have been going to a dr. in Huntington. He was good, but didnt feel comfortable having him deliver my baby.
I went to someone 3 of my friends went to with their babies, and he came highly recommended.
Plus I didnt want to go all the way into Huntington to deliver a baby. He was only affiliated with hospitals in Nassau, and Huntington Hospital.

Re: HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOUR DR IS

My best advice is to find a doctor who you feel you can trust or you will make yourself crazy when you are pregnant if you are second guessing if your doctor is doing everything s/he is supposed to be doing. The good thing is that you come on this board with lots of preggos and Mommy's who have been there or are there and can give you recommendations. You can read up on these procedures, tests and such as you go along and will ask the right questions - educated or uneducated - as they come up. I think my OB is great and would recommend him and his partner to anyone. I always felt like my questions were answered with respect and I was given information on anything I asked about...and didn't ask about. If you would like their #, let me know.

Re: HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOUR DR IS

just to let you know...my cousin is a neo-natal pediatrician...and she waits for the baby to be born and the OB just hands it over to her...lol

but I would think that you want to be comfortable when pg...

Re: HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOUR DR IS

Shamma, what do you mean when you say you can't envision your Dr as a baby doctor? Your OB/GYN is not going to care for your baby - you need a pediatrician for the baby. The OB is just concerend about your health.

Re: HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOUR DR IS

Claud I mean during my pregnancy, not when the baby is born.

Re: HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOUR DR IS

I think you have to go with your gut on this. I really liked my GYN/OB prior to get pregnant but I knew that they had 3 male, 2 female doctors and it was pot luck who delivered the baby. I couldn't stand the stress of thinking that one of the male doctors would end up delivering the baby- as I only see female OBs. So that is why I chose my midwife. If you cannot imagine yourself pregnant with this doctor then begin to switch now and met new doctors.

Many of the tests are optional and really depend on your views. Some people believe 'what God send me I can handle' while others would chose not to continue a pregnancy if certain tests did not have favorable results and others would want to know so they could be prepared prior to the baby's birth. I will say that the most of the tests we discuss on this board are pretty standard though.

Re: HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOUR DR IS

All of the tests are optional...technically. They can't *make* you take any tests.

The glucose test for gestational diabetes as well as the Group B-strep test are tests that any mom-to-be would want to have done so that the proper prenatal care can be given if GD develops of B-Strep is +. (like mine was )

AFP and Amnio are especially optional. I had them both, however, I only had the amnio due to my 'AMA'...advanced maternal age and because we wanted to 'be prepared' for the worst possible news.

With Peanut #2 (God willing), I'm going to skip the AFP since I'll be having amnio again. It's needless waiting & worrying! It's hard enough waiting for the amnio results!!

As far as your OB goes, you have to do what feels right. I'm probably going to leave this OB after Peanut is born - DH doesn't like the lack of information... If I didn't read or ask questions, I'd be clueless!!