Did anybody switch OBs in third tri?

[7costanza]

If so, why? And was it hard to find someone to take you on?  


My last appointment was really uncomfortable, and I've had other small annoyances over the past six months (including showing up to the lab today for my three hour glucose tolerance test to find the orders hadn't been faxed over). I have another appointment this afternoon and am going to make a decision about looking for another provider, but I'm curious to hear others experiences. 

[beezusquimby]

I switched from an OB to a midwife practice at 33 weeks because I felt my OB wasn't supportive of my desire to have a med-free birth. It wasn't difficult to switch since I had a healthy pregnancy, and I decided to switch before the midwives cut off of 34 weeks. Switching providers was one of the best decisions I made. My OB would not let me go past 41 weeks and said she would schedule an induction for that day if the baby did not come sooner. Well, my son came on his own at 41 weeks, 1 day. I was also able to have the med-free water birth that I wanted without feeling defensive of my choice.

I'm not totally sure why you are disappointed with your current OB, but I felt like in the end, my relationship with my OB was a business transaction and I didn't need to feel any loyalty to her just because she had seen my vagina.

[fortmyersbride]

I switched at 32 wks but that was only because we moved several states away. I had no issues finding a new practice though, my first choice was a little 2 OB practice and they happily took 3rd tri transfers as they joked "a lot of the busy work is already done, we just get to deliver the baby now!"

[Deleted]

If you think you're unhappy enough to switch, you probably are. I hear way more regrets about sticking with a doctor than about following one's gut and moving.

[curbsideprophet]

I have not had to switch providers, but depending on the issues I would consider it.

[froggy76]

I switched around 24 weeks. By that point, I had met all the OBs at my old practice and realized I wasn't crazy about any of them. A friend of mine who is an ER doc recommended her friend/OB to me and got me an appointment. I'm not sure if it would have been easy to get into the new practice otherwise. I love my new OB and have not regretted the switch for a second!

[Deleted]

I switch at 7 months PG b/c we moved two counties away. I was super sad to leave my fantastic midwife. Our small town has 1 OB office, no midwives. And out of the 4 OBs in the practice, only one is female (I will not see a male OB). I called, and in the sweetest faux sweet way explained my situation and she took me as a patient.

In your case, I would get recs from friends/family and call and see if the OB will take you. You'll get more flies with honey than vinegar (as the saying goes) so be super nice when you call.

[7costanza]

Thank you, everyone! I think I'll at least get recs and call around a bit. Assuming I don't have GD, I've had a healthy, complication free pregnancy so hopefully it won't be too hard to switch if that's what I decide to do.

[AmyRI]

I really liked my OB when I had my first LO, but the office was so awful during my second pregnancy that I switched. They rescheduled almost every appointment, and moved my 30 week appointment 3 times before they canceled it and told me to show up for my 32 week appointment with a different doc. Go to that one, had high blood pressure, go to L&D to do a NST and check for PIH (on a Thursday night). I spent all of that Friday trying to get someone to call me back becuase I was supposed to follow up with my doc. Get told they're too busy, but they'll call on Monday. When they didn't call on Monday, I was done.

I ended up switching to a midwife practice. They took me, even at 34 weeks. The only "complication" I had was borderline BP, but no other symptoms of PIH, and they were fine with that. I did have a long conversation about why I was switching, but they happily took me. No regrets at all. I love the new office and midwives.

I agree with being really nice when you call other practices and ask how late they will still take transfers. The secretaries didn't know, so they put me on hold and asked the lead midwife right then. Get a copy of your medical records to have in-hand for your first appointment (or before, if they want to look it over ahead of time).