I haven't made a doctor's appointment yet. I don't know which one to go to.

The doctor I went to with my last pg did not keep good charts and sent me for tests later than he was supposed to (like the diabetes screen 3 weeks before I was due!) I didn't know a lot of things, and we went to the hospital, but ended up having to drive to another one while I was in labor because all the doctors were "out of town" for holidays and the one on call wasn't certified to deliver, so insurance wouldn't cover it.

So, when we got to the city, the ob/gyn there I was assigned to was freaking out over lack of charting and the fact that the doc never sent me for the part 2 diabetes test b/c my blood sugar was high... and that he tested late...so it was a real pain with my blood sugar and them watching katherine's blood sugar, we had to stay an extra day so they could monitor me and baby, which MAY have been avoided if the 2nd test (that i never took) had come back negative, but no the doctor was stupid and didn't send me for it .

So, I kindof don't want to go to our family doc for it. But, if we go to the ob/gyn that delivered Katherine, we have to drive an hour and a half to each appointment and then an hour and a half back. I don't know if I can do that, much less when I get REALLY BIG. But I am freaked out about going to the family doc in town because what if he doesn't chart my blood pressure etc again. We had a healthy baby but a lot of trouble could have been avoided at the hospital had i had the proper tests at the right time etc.

DH wants to go back to the same doc, but just make it clear that we want proper charting and tests. I'm not sure about that, because he might be offended if we ask him to do that, and i want to feel comfortable with the doctor that is doing my prenatals. I do not feel comfortable with this doctor because I feel like I have to do so much research myself on what is supposed to be happening. I did not even know how much he was not doing during last pg... and I missed out on very simple things like getting my blood pressure checked every time which can be important (he did it only every other time or something like that.)

Another thing is the ob/gyn in the city is one of the best ob/gyns in the city and has a VERY good reputation for being an excellent doctor and especially handling deliveries, and my MIL said he was probably the best I could have had. I was mostly freaked out from the complications, but looking back he handled them all REALLY well, and the nurses were ALWAYS able to get ahold of him by phone to let him know if something was happening during labor - which isn't the case with doctors here, here they can't even get ahold of doctors because they simply won't answer their phones because they don't want to get called in sometimes.

I am going to talk to DH about it tonight... the thing is I don't think we can afford gas to go to the city for checkups every month etc. It would be really expensive. :( But I am really unhappy with the doc options here. Sorry for the long rant. I just am stressed over this part, even though I know God is in control, and I had a healthy pregnancy last time, it's just nice to have that comfort zone of knowing you have a doc that is doing the right stuff!

thats a tough one. I think I would be more inclined to go to the one that delivered you (the out of town one) but then again you and dh need to decide what is best for you and the family. Praying for you while you work all of this out. At least now you know more so that is a plus no matter where you go!

Well DH said it is up to me to decide, he just wants the one in town because it's convenient that it's only a 5 minute drive. So I just have to decide if I want the other doctor badly enough I want to drive 3 hours each day I have an appointment LOL!

here is an interesting site with doctor ratings for U.S. and canada.

www.ratemds.com

This is the one that delivered katherine. I can't find the family doc, probably because it's a small town so nobody bothered to rate him.

http://www.ratemds.com/filecache/doctor-ratings.jsp?did=38980

I also couldn't find my dentist OR my oral surgeon... LOL... not that I plan on going back there anytime soon. Yikes!

That is a pickle! Is the doc in the city ever at another hosptial or clinic during the week? I know a lot of docs here go back and forth between the hospitals in the same network. Could that be an option? Are there any midwives around who could do say, every other prenatal and 'share' your care with the doc, so that you wouldn't have to drive so far. You might even be able to have the midwife do ALL your prenatals and then have that doc deliver you in the city...maybe it's worth finding out if they would do that. That way you could have your hospital birth with the doc you want, but also have (hopefully) good prenatal care with a midwife. From my experience, midwives tend to be more throughough (how on earth do you spell that word?) than docs because they spend more time with you. Many midwives can order tests, or she could have the city doc order them for you if he is following your care via the midwife......I hope most of that makes sense.

I know there has to be a way for you to NOT have to drive so far, have the doc you like deliver you, but still be able to avoid your family doc. I would definetly pray LOTS on it...you still have some time before your first apt is really necessary, unless you have issues you need seen before hand, and see what doors the Lord opens up. If he wants you to go to the city, he will provide the gas money, the energy, or even someone to drive you when you are all huge and pg!

I will lift you up before the Lord as he brings you to mind! I hope you can find a solution that works!! Being with a doc who scimps on your care is dangerous!

Amber

I had to drive an hour each eay for my ob appointments. It is time consuming but I felt it was worth it just b/c I knew I was getting proper prenatal care, also I delivered both babies in that town too. That is a big decision to make esp. since your family dr. didn't do a great job last time, so I can see your concern. What do other moms in your area do? Is there anyway that you could maybe find out if there is another mom going for prenatal checkups and maybe you could make appointments on the same day?
I am not sure if this helps at all, but I will keep you in my prayers. Also I had no idea you were pregnant....................CONGRATULATIONS!!

I had to drive an hour each eay for my ob appointments. It is time consuming but I felt it was worth it just b/c I knew I was getting proper prenatal care, also I delivered both babies in that town too. That is a big decision to make esp. since your family dr. didn't do a great job last time, so I can see your concern. What do other moms in your area do? Is there anyway that you could maybe find out if there is another mom going for prenatal checkups and maybe you could make appointments on the same day?
I am not sure if this helps at all, but I will keep you in my prayers. Also I had no idea you were pregnant....................CONGRATULATIONS!!


The only doctor in town I would want to go to that seems kind and wise, and I got ER care from him once, is not taking new patients because he's always, always booked. He's the most popular doctor in town because all the others are either unkind, or just lazy & slacking like my doc. So, most women either go to him or go to the city. A lot of people deliver in the city just because they have better facilities there - here they only have a bed with stirrups in a cramped little room with a bathroom full of mildew!! it's so nasty. OK enough gross out, seriously I am delivering in the city whether i have my prenatals there or not, just because the facilities are nicer.

I think Amber's suggestion about seeing a midwife for your prenatal care is a great suggestion if you can find a midwife who will do that. I will be seeing a midwife for all of my prenatal care but I have to go to the hospital 45 mins away to deliver bcuz I had a c-section last time. I really love my midwife. She is very thurough (Amber, I'm not sure how to spell it either :D ), and really cares about you and your pregnancy. So I would second Amber's suggestion if it's possible. Not sure with insurance stuff and all. I will be praying and I hope you get great prenatal care this time!

Hi Cheese,

I am guessing from other posts that you probably can't afford a midwife(I can't, they are exspensive in AB) I was wondering if you were able to find a birth doula that you could afford...one that would come with you to your appts to make sure you are getting proper care. She would also be there to be with you all through labour and delivery. Just an idea to maybe check out.

Cheese, since I'm not in your area, I'm not sure what to tell you. I will pray that God leads you in the right direction, whatever, wherever that might be.

I can't get a midwife... midwives can't get insurance where I live because we are too far from a hospital that can handle complications should they happen. That's why we can't homebirth... Also I don't think our insurance would cover the expense... and we can't afford that. There are doulas, but I don't know if we can really afford those either.... we are trying to go with what insurance will cover if you know what I mean LOL

Great suggestions though.... If I were a rich woman... LOL

One option that might be "cheaper" is to find a doula that is just out of , or still in "doula school" I know they have to have so many births under their belts before they can be offical...at least in the US. Sometimes you can get them to help you for free if they need the experience. :)

I looked at that link that you can rate doctors, and I can't find ANY of our docs, or Noah's up and coming docs on there......bummer!!!

Amber

Have you tried checking out Doulas International? They used to be Doulas of North America, but went to other continents. They have a find a doula spot. The web address is: http://www.dona.org/

I hope you find a good solution to this mess. I don't blame you for not wanting to go to your family doc. I wouldn't either. As if you don't have enough to do/worry about while you are pregnant.

Is there any way you can report him to the licensing board? I know when stuff like that happens around here, you can report it. Including a mildewy bathroom in the birthing room. That is just disgusting.

Yeah I have no idea about the reporting stuff. I have no idea how Canada works things like that... I mean I moved here from TX so I'm just glad that I get the health insurance from marrying my DH LOL... i really don't have a clue about stuff like that.

Welcome to small town Alberta LOL... or small town Canada for that matter in most cases!

When my mom was pregnant with me, she went to the dr. in my hometown and loved him. Between me and my brother though, the dr. moved 1 1/2 hours away. My mom followed him to his new practice, driving 1 1/2 hours for the appointments because she liked him so much. She also claims that the new dr. in my hometown only delivered by forceps and the new years baby of that year wasn't delivered until Easter. Don't know how true that part is though!

I'd say make the trips too. I know it will be nasty sometimes... can you do your U/S up where you are? My mom says that driving 1 1/2 hours with a full bladder was really killer.

Edited to add, I checked out Rate MD's. My family dr. has a terrible rating... left by 2 people! LOL... Funny thing is that I love him. Weird. I rated all my doctors here though. The doctor I hate above all was on there with the highest rating here :shock: But then if I like the worst, I would be able to appreciate the best I guess LOL... What fun! :lol: