Saturday, September 8, 2007

Looking for an OB

Wow, things have changed since Tuesday. I am super tired, weepy, unable to focus too well, and experiencing general nausea. Last night, I was pretty sick for a few hours. These are all welcome symptoms. I have waited so long for this moment that I am going to take all of this in stride. With that being said, I am not not not going to settle on an OB.

Let me back up, I went to the OB yesterday. The OB/Gyn office came recommended and the visit was a clusterF from beginning to end. I arrived 15 minutes early as requested (for an early morning appointment with paperwork filled out ahead of time) and was not on my way back to work until over 2 and 1/2 hours later. Now, if this was quality time, I would have been super happy - it was not. I waited to be seen for over an hour (big practice, my Dr. was not on call with an emergency). Upon asking the receptionist for a key to the bathroom, since I had been waiting so long, she mentioned that they needed to do a urine analysis. She brought me to the bathroom in the back, gave me a blank urine cup (without my name on it) and told me just to leave it in the bathroom when I was done. Now, since my name was not on the cup, I mentioned to the receptionist (receptionist not nurse mind you) that the cup was on the counter as requested. She looked confused - was not sure why I was telling her this. I told her that my name was not on it so I wanted to make sure that it did not get forgotten. The office was in complete chaos. Files were everywhere. The only computers that I saw were for making appointments. There were food particles on the receptionist check out counter, the bathroom was dirty along with the rest of the office (dust, dirt, walls were all scuffed up, carpet was ripped up in many places, etc). It makes me sqeamish just thinking about it.

About 20 minutes after peeing in the cup, I was brought back and weighed and asked my due date. This indicated to me that this nurse (nurse practitioner) did not review any of the paperwork that I brought in from the fertility clinic which clearly indicated all of this pertinent information. She then took me to the Dr's office and told me that he would be in shortly, about 20 more minutes later he finally showed up. He did not have my paper chart (and as mentioned previously - no computer to refer to) and proceeded to ask me all kinds of questions that I filled out on all of the paperwork before I showed up. He mentioned that I should eat whatever, drink whatever, and not to pay attention to any guidance that suggested otherwise. I mentioned that I don't drink caffeine due to acid reflux and he then mentioned that it shouldn't be a problem to go back to caffeine. In short, he did not ask me any questions whatsoever. Then he wanted to proceed to the "new" ultrasound machine. He let me know that he had not yet been trained on the "new" ultrasound machine (my clinic has had the exact model of this machine ever since I started there two years ago). Are you Fxxxing kidding me. I was his training case. Unbelievable. So after four, count em four, times trying to get a picture with the magic wand (four condoms, gobs of gel that I got to deal with all day if you know what I mean, and 4 rough and I mean rough insertions), he resorted to the stomach cam. He saw the heartbeat and pronounced that all was well. What the fxxx. I am not a rookie here. I asked for a measurement please, meaning baby measurement and heartbeat measurement. He could not obtain these on the new ultrasound and had to wheel in the old ultramachine into the exam room. and I got the pleasure of a fifth wanding. As I type this I am still in amazement. Guess what, the old ultrasound machine doesn't measure heartrates. Why was I surprised? They then told me that they needed bloodwork and guess where the blood is drawn - in the same exam room as the internal exams. Then they had the nerve to charge me.

I couldn't get out of that joint fast enough. So now, I am on the hunt for an OB that may hopefully fulfill the following:

1) Qualifed Dr's
1) Professionalism
2) Clean office
3) Competent Staff
4) Up to date equipment and training

I may have just had a completely bad experience that was random for this office, but for this many things to go wrong....I just don't reel comfortable going back.

15 comments:

LJ said...

C-

That is just awful. I understand that these offices are crowded and paid for pushing folks through as fast as possible, but that sounds just irresponsible. I am so sorry you had to go through that.

Pamela T. said...

You've come way too far to settle -- nothing less than a *great* OB office will do. I hope you're feeling better soon.

Tuesday said...

Oh, definitely, DEFINITELY find a new one. Wow.

I would have cried.

Anonymous said...

That sounds lick a horrific experience. I would want to get out of there, too!

I hope you find a great OB soon.

AwkwardMoments said...

I'm amazed you remained composer, I would have not been so , um, polite or professional

Meghan said...

I would have had a few choice words for Dr Incompetent after the second wanding...can't believe you made it through 5!

Good luck finding a few OB, definately don't settle!

Janna said...

What a horrible experience. I'd be looking elsewhere as well. As far as I'm concerned, doctor's offices are there to perform GREAT customer service with a side of excellent bedside manner. If that's not available I'd take my business elsewhere. Good Luck finding another doctor!!

Schatzi said...

What??? That is one impressively BAD OBs office. wow. Here's hoping you find a much better one soon.

Lisa said...

Unbelievable! Good luck in your search for a much better OB.

Lea Bee said...

yuck! what a horrible experience.

dmarie said...

Definitely look for a new doctor! I say it all the time--good docs are so hard to find.

stacyb said...

what sucky experience for something that should be so exciting. i'm sorry that happened to you.
we also had to hunt for an obgyn -- don't settle for anyone you are not 100%, no make that 200% comfortable with. you've been through too much to have anything less than a great doctor.

Joy said...

WOW! Yes. Walk, don't run from that place!

One View said...

Oh my gosh.. what an awful experience. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I agree, please go find a new OB. You deserve so much more.

Anonymous said...

Seriously - it sucks, but you owe it to yourself to find a doctor and staff that treat you like more than a number.

This stuff is hard enough without having to deal with unpleasant, irresponsible medical staffs.