Would you switch practices?

[lilles]

The practice I currently go to is part of a teaching hospital. Every time I go I see someone different which is fine if not ideal and some of the doctors have been very curt. What concerns me the most is that due to my due date I will most likely get a brand new resident for delivery and for the epidural if I decide I need one. I don't want to be one of the first persons the anesthesiology resident practices on. The plus side about this hospital is that they have the best NICU in the area and if anything were to happen at the other hospital I would go to if I switched practices we would be sent to the teaching hospital anyways. I have had some complications during this pregnancy but everything is ok as of now. I will be 20 weeks tomorrow so I should be deciding soon. Would you stay or switch?

[rbp]

I would lean toward switching. I am specifically avoiding the teaching hospital in my area because my H, who did his residency there (not OB), wasn't comfortable with it. I think he would have been ok if there were a good reason to deliver there, but our friends who have delivered there weren't really happy with it either and there are five other maternity wards within 15 miles of us.

My only concern is what is the other hospital like? Assuming that your baby doesn't need the NICU, would you be comfortable delivering there?

[starlily]

I would probably switch. Good bedside manner is very important to me.

[daisycat]

I think I'd lean toward switching too.

[Deleted]

I dont want students practicing on me and I do expect decent bed side manner. No teaching hospitals for me.

[chickadee77]

My hospital is also a teaching hospital, but the times I've been there, they haven't just turned students loose on me - they are closely monitored by experienced personnel (though I realize it may be different elsewhere). I would bring up my concerns with whoever your primary doctor is and see if they offer any reassurances. If not, and you're still uncomfortable, switch if you like - no biggie. Maybe if they explain the procedures/policies/rotations/whatever to you, it will make more sense and not be as troublesome. But at the very least, you'll have a better picture of what will happen if you stay, or, God forbid, need to utilize their NICU.

For me, anyway, knowledge is power.

[melsamoony]

I wouldn't switch having the top NICU is big asset and a deciding factor. Most likely if you are due in July the residents won't be doing anything yet at that point. It takes a long time for the residents to be aloud to do things like epi's and other procedures. I would stay for NICU alone.

[Deleted]

The resident anesthesiologist thing would make me want to switch, if you're sure about that. I've had two diffult epidural experiences, maybe because I have mild scoliosis. It took a very experienced anesthesiologist multiple tries over the course of 45 minutes last time. I don't want a newbie in my spine with that shit.

[papie]

This timing thing never even crossed my mind. I am delivering at a teaching hospital and the residents are always competent (I had my two first kids there). The first year residents are normally under the supervision if the more experienced residents and they still do a lot of observing. The end students basically just observe and ask questions, fill some forms. I had my kids in August and October and both were great experiences.

[sh10]

I wouldn't switch, had I delivered at the other local hospital, my baby would have been transferred to the nicu at the hospital I actually delivered at, while I would have stayed where I gave birth. No way would I have been happy with that, nor do I think I would have been able to breastfeed. I never expected a nicu stay, but I'm glad I was close by and it was available.