I all weirded out about finding a doctor.

[Jalapeñomel]

We are all set up for insurance, and it will begin on the 27th. I would love to make an appointment so I can go in on the 27th or 28th, but the list of providers is endlessly long, I have to find out if I am required to visit a PCP first (I have an HMO, and I don't know if OB/GYN visits count as a specialty...I just need to phone them), and I am just overwhelmed and weirded out by the whole process (not to mention that I am convinced that I missed so much being in Lima---so dumb, I know).

Just had to vent a little. The end.

[piaffe]

Can your DH ask some ladies he works with who they recommend? Hopefully you can get in soon and start planning.

[thejackpot]

Ugh, sounds like a big to do. Hopefully you can get some referrals. God luck.

[Jalapeñomel]

Aug 14, 2013 14:21:40 GMT -5 @publius said:

I missed that you moved. Are you back in the US for good now? I did the international move and finding new doctors thing a few weeks past where you are so if there is anything I can help with let me know.

I am in NYC, and we are back for at least 5 years.

Any advice you can give me, I am grateful for. 

I'm also worried that they will tell me that I cannot be seen for like two more months or some outlandish amount of time that I obviously won't be able to do. 

It's definitely a huge scenario built up in my head...and FFS, I managed to do it in Lima, where I didn't even fluently speak the same language, so clearly I should be able to do it here, right??

[Jalapeñomel]

Aug 14, 2013 14:29:51 GMT -5 piaffe said:

Can your DH ask some ladies he works with who they recommend? Hopefully you can get in soon and start planning.

DH doesn't start work until the 27th.

[formerlyak]

Most HMOs no longer require you to get a referral for an ObGyn, so hopefully yours works that way. Saves you a step. I second asking ladies that dh works with. You can also read reviews on Yelp. If you do that, remember that what one person things is a bad thing, you might think is a good thing (like I like that I get to see the Nurse Practitioner for most of my regular appointments because she knows what she is doing and it saves time, but my doc got some low Yelp reviews because of this matter - people wanted to just see the doctor no matter what and were annoyed when he was late because he was delivering someone's baby; I mean "they had an appointment!"). But the narrative reviews do tell you a lot about some docs. And remember you can always change docs if you don't like the first one you see.

[snickers]

I have no advice, but I am sure everything will work out

[Velar Fricative]

You might have better luck researching hospitals first and then narrowing down the list of providers based on who delivers at the hospital you want to go to. Maybe that'll make it less overwhelming? I'd offer help but you're not in my part of NYC but I can ask friends who have delivered in Manhattan to get their opinions (if that's where you want to deliver).

[Deleted]

i don't think you have to get a referral from your PCP, even under an HMO. but the OB's office can tell you that when you call.  and they're sensitive to the timing of pregnancy and will fit you in. 

i'd pick a hospital, then from there pick doctors/practices with privileges, then from there ask around/do research. i know beyonce delivered at lenox hill. maybe start there? ha.

[Jalapeñomel]

bronxgirl did you give birth in the Bronx? Do you have any advice for me?

I'd rather not go down into Manhattan, because it's quite the trek from where I live (we live at the very edge of the Bronx, almost into Westchester county), and I'd be afraid I won't make it on time, LOL.

[bronxgirl]

Aug 14, 2013 15:32:51 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

bronxgirl did you give birth in the Bronx? Do you have any advice for me?

I'd rather not go down into Manhattan, because it's quite the trek from where I live (we live at the very edge of the Bronx, almost into Westchester county), and I'd be afraid I won't make it on time, LOL.

I gave birth in lower Westchester (Bronxville).  It's about a 10-15 minute drive from my apartment.  My OB's office is in Yonkers.  I really liked my doctor and the hospital.

[Velar Fricative]

Aug 14, 2013 15:32:51 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

bronxgirl did you give birth in the Bronx? Do you have any advice for me?

I'd rather not go down into Manhattan, because it's quite the trek from where I live (we live at the very edge of the Bronx, almost into Westchester county), and I'd be afraid I won't make it on time, LOL.

If you're that close to Westchester I have heard good things about Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville. It's really not that far from the Bronx-Westchester border.

[Jalapeñomel]

Aug 14, 2013 15:24:01 GMT -5 cville said:

i don't think you have to get a referral from your PCP, even under an HMO. but the OB's office can tell you that when you call.  and they're sensitive to the timing of pregnancy and will fit you in. 

i'd pick a hospital, then from there pick doctors/practices with privileges, then from there ask around/do research. i know beyonce delivered at lenox hill. maybe start there? ha.

Well shit, if Beyonce did Lennox Hill, then I will do Lennox Hill.

[Jalapeñomel]

Aug 14, 2013 15:36:19 GMT -5 bronxgirl said:

Aug 14, 2013 15:32:51 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

bronxgirl did you give birth in the Bronx? Do you have any advice for me?

I'd rather not go down into Manhattan, because it's quite the trek from where I live (we live at the very edge of the Bronx, almost into Westchester county), and I'd be afraid I won't make it on time, LOL.

I gave birth in lower Westchester (Bronxville).  It's about a 10-15 minute drive from my apartment.  My OB's office is in Yonkers.  I really liked my doctor and the hospital.

I'm assuming you have a car, yes?

The lack of a vehicle does really limit my options, doesn't it?

[AlpineSlide]

Good luck! I hope it all works out quickly and easily for you.

[Jalapeñomel]

Aug 14, 2013 15:24:01 GMT -5 cville said:

i don't think you have to get a referral from your PCP, even under an HMO. but the OB's office can tell you that when you call.  and they're sensitive to the timing of pregnancy and will fit you in. 

i'd pick a hospital, then from there pick doctors/practices with privileges, then from there ask around/do research. i know beyonce delivered at lenox hill. maybe start there? ha.

So I just phoned the insurance company, and I do need a referral, because they still consider the OBGYN a specialists (which is truly bizarre to me, but that's neither here nor there). 

[bronxgirl]

Aug 14, 2013 15:44:10 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Aug 14, 2013 15:36:19 GMT -5 bronxgirl said:

I gave birth in lower Westchester (Bronxville).  It's about a 10-15 minute drive from my apartment.  My OB's office is in Yonkers.  I really liked my doctor and the hospital.

I'm assuming you have a car, yes?

The lack of a vehicle does really limit my options, doesn't it?

Yes, I have a car.  Montefiore's a really good hospital so that might be worth looking into. 

[Deleted]

Aug 14, 2013 15:47:41 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Aug 14, 2013 15:24:01 GMT -5 cville said:

i don't think you have to get a referral from your PCP, even under an HMO. but the OB's office can tell you that when you call.  and they're sensitive to the timing of pregnancy and will fit you in. 

i'd pick a hospital, then from there pick doctors/practices with privileges, then from there ask around/do research. i know beyonce delivered at lenox hill. maybe start there? ha.

So I just phoned the insurance company, and I do need a referral, because they still consider the OBGYN a specialists (which is truly bizarre to me, but that's neither here nor there). 

JERKS.

[Jalapeñomel]

Aug 14, 2013 15:52:47 GMT -5 cville said:

Aug 14, 2013 15:47:41 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

So I just phoned the insurance company, and I do need a referral, because they still consider the OBGYN a specialists (which is truly bizarre to me, but that's neither here nor there). 

JERKS.

Right?

Ok, I phoned, I have a PCP, and my heart dropped when they told me I'd have to wait for a new patient appointment until November.  But then I told her I was PG, she said phone at 8 am the day I want to come in, and ask for a same day appointment.  She was helpful.

bronxgirl  I have heard good things about Montefiore Hospital and Albert Einstein, and it seems that most OBs practice at both, so I am looking at those two places.