Hi everyone,
I was just wondering if I would be completely nuts to switch OB/GYNs at 33 weeks. Would another practice even take me this far along? Has anyone else done this? I am currently with Kansas City Women's Clinic, which I think may be getting too big and busy. In addition, with my first child my OB seemed to be somewhat judgemental about my weight (I am 5'9" and wear a size 16 when not pregnant, so I'm far from huge). I was unhappy with my experience with my first pregnancy with my doc because I felt she gave me little reassurance or guidance and she scared me repeatedly about not being able to give birth to my child because he was running large. She had me convinced I was going to have a section and induced me a week early because of his size. He was born at 8 lbs. 13 oz. and delivered vaginally to my relief. My second measured much smaller at my 20-week sono, and I decided just to stay with the devil I knew because I thought I wouldn't have the same issues this time, and I felt like I would probably need less hand-holding the second time around. Now, since my uterus is measuring large for dates, they have me scared about a possible section again or induction. I wish I would have switched at the beginning of my pregnancy so I could have a warm, fuzzy experience this time. Maybe this is just nerves with the end of pregnancy and facing labor again, I just wish I had more reassurance from my doc instead of more to worry about. So has anyone switched this late in the game? Anyone with large babies and helpful, encouraging docs they recommend? I am delivering at Overland Park, so that limits me a little. I would love to hear the experiences of others. Thanks!
Thanks so much for the tips. Your support and encouragement gave me the strength to follow through with a gazillion insurance and billing calls and making an appointment with someone else to see what is out there. Anyway, I saw midwife Lindsey O'Neill yesterday at FWO and really loved her. She spent well over and hour talking to me about everything. Then a couple of L&D nurses at OPRMC told me they felt KCWC was the most conservative practice out of KCWC, For Women Only, and Women's Healthcare Group and least likely to do an induction or section unless they found it absolutely necessary. Now that's completely screwed with my head, but did make me feel better that my doctor may have taken the course she thought was necessary in my last pregnancy, and the midwife said she would probably do the same. I just wish my old doc would explain her decisions as Lindsey would, and have a better bedside manner! I now feel reassured on the decisions my old doc is making, but I still believe our personalities are not a good mix.
I really like the Women's Health Care Group. They are at OPRMC in the Doctors building right next to the hospital, and there are many different providers. I see Dr Moulton and was very happy with him. He isn't quick to induce or go to a c-section unless there's a real good reason. http://www.whcg.org/women/
My husband and I moved to Kansas City when I was 36 weeks pregnant - so I had to find another doctor since my old one was back in Colorado. I had a little trouble finding anyone to take me but I LOVE who I went with. Dr. Douglas Perryman. He is located at 4400 Broadway, right by St. Luke's on the Plaza. He was nice enough to take me and has delivered both of my children.
He made the stressful transition of having to find a new doctor so late in my pregnancy very comforting and easy to do. So I would definitely say go for a new person because you need to feel good about all aspects of the situation.
Good luck to you.
NO YOU GOTTA DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO MOMMA. I had to switch OB's around that point as well b/c of a move, but would def. do it if I was in your boat, which I sort of am. The Women's Clinic is who I had my last daughter with and I am 8 weeks along. I went to my visit and have decided like you they are too big, etc. and am leaving as well. Just get on the phone and start calling everyone you have ever heard good things about and see what you can do.
Always go with your GUT!
I honestly think that you should do whatever you need to in order to make your birthing experience as pleasant as possible. Having a baby is stressful enough without having to deal with an insensitive OB. I am currently seeing a nurse midwife at For Women Only, which for you is conveniently located right across from Overland Park Regional Medical. Their number is ###-###-####. I had a not so pleasant experience with another doctor with my first pregnancy, and I must say that For Women Only has been a very welcomed relief!
L., i don't have any experience with this situation, but it looks like a lot of the advice given is to switch if that's what you want to do. if you do, i applaud you because that would make me nervous too! but whether you change or don't, i just wanted to say (aside from them scaring you),a GOOD dr. should give you all the options, their recommendation, and let YOU decide. if you are determined to try vaginal, then you should be respected in that by your medical team. your first birth plan should always be respected by your dr. it annoyed me with my son, he was not huge but "kinda big" and they talked about inducing, but happily she waited till he was almost a week late to schedule. luckily my water broke the day before. but he was only 8 lbs 1.3 oz. NOT huge. (i had to have an emergency c-section because he was breech, so i didn't deliver vaginally) anyway, some of my facts might be wrong but the point i'm trying to make is, RESPECT for your desires should be present in whatever dr. i wasn't totally thrilled with mine either, but she did ask me what my plan was and respected it, and other than that (and the fact that she seemed to know what she was doing) i was okay with her, because i had much bigger things to think about. good luck and congrats in advance!
If you don't like your doctor you should change. I love mine, Dr. Maureen King with Women's Care, ###-###-####. Good luck.
Dr Kimberly Schlicter is a great ob she is in Overland park I think I would make the call and talk with her.
I switched at 27 weeks with my 2nd. My doc had no bedside manner, which is fine once a year, but when hormonal and pregnant, not so much. I didn't even leave the practice- I just went to a BETTER doc within!
I loved Randy Sheridan- they do deliver at OP Regional and Shawnee Mission Med.
Go for it!
L.,
I would say go with your gut instinct. If you are unhappy with your doctor, then switch. My roommate just had a 8Lb 13 0z boy and they did a c-section on her. I could NOT understand this.
At 17 y/o I had my son vaginally and he was 8, 14 1/2. I am also 5'9. When I got pregnant with him I was only 123 lbs. He will be 20 later this month. My two girls were smaller at 5 1/2 lbs and 7 lbs. (Now almost 19 and 16). But I do not understand these new, younger? doctors and their infatuation with c-sections lately. Unless you labor and the child is stressed or you are not dialating, then I don't get it and I have been an RN now for almost 7 years, in the ER for 6 years (in the medical field since I was 13). I am seriously considering becoming a midwife.
I went to doctor Gerald Miller and his group at Research Medical Center to deliver all three of my babies and was never told the babies were too big.
I think my roommate would have been fine, but they scared her too (she went to Menorah) so she had the c-section. She and the baby are fine, but still. They also told her she had gestational diabetes, but her blood sugars were always fine no matter what she ate. I told her there was no way I would have stayed with her doctor.
I have another friend who is 5'4ish. She had 3 babies all around the 10lb range, all vaginally, without any difficulty.
So, again, I say, go with your gut instinct. I believe you can switch hospitals too, as long as your insurance is accepted there. There is no reason that I am aware of that you cannot switch doctors, even this late in the game. ALL of your records are transferred to the new doctor. Good luck and God Bless :)
T., RN, BSN
Listen to your gut feeling! However, I trusted Womens Healthcare Group with my care and I am very sorry I did. My precious son had a congenital heart defect and a mass in his lung. My pregnancy was awful and after reading the symtoms a mother experiences when her baby has these comditions I certainly believe with my whole heart they should have detected these conditions. I would be scared for you to go there. God Bless you and your baby
I agree...you should totally switch! You don't need to feel underappreciated and upset ever, but especially not while you're pregnant! I'm sure another doctor would take you on at this late date, especially if you explain your situation.
I truly love my OB, Mark Finkelston. He delivers at OPR I know. He is warm and friendly, but what I like best about him is that he tells it to you straight and up front, I need that b/c I'm far too neurotic! Ha ha! Anyway, no matter who you choose, make sure you're happy and good luck!
Listen to your heart. Switch now. You are not crazy and women should do this more often. If you are not happy with your care- take your healthcare dollar somewhere else. Having a baby is a very big deal. Go to a provider who shares your philosophy of birth and get the birth you desire. ps: Don't forget to let your previous provider know why you left.
Hi L.,
I actually switched to Dr. Thomas of the Kansas City Woman's Clinic after I had my Daughter. I wanted to switch during but was told that after a certain amount of weeks other offices won't take you. What I did when I was pregnant was switch Doctors at the office I was at until I found one that I liked and then I prayed that the Doctor I didn't like would not be the on call doctor that delivered my Daughter. Hope this helps and good luck!
M.
You should switch if you want to, for sure. There is no reason to induce or section you for a large baby. The truth is, many large babies can be delivered vaginally with no complications. The fact that you delivered an 8.13 baby just reinforces that. You do not have to anything you don't want to do. Try to find a midwife, or at least check the OB's section and induction rates should you switch practices. My midwives' rate is 5% for csecs. I checked before I went to them. It is all the rage lately for OB's to induce or operate early because of "big babies." It is bad for babies and mothers. Also, why do you have to deliver at OP? Try to be more flexible if you want more options.
I agree with the other posters... go with you gut, and find someone who you feel comfortable with.
Also, ACOG does NOT recommend induction for suspected fetal macrosomia (large babies) as there is no evidence that this results in better outcomes.
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20010701/practice.html
Yours in health,
Dr. Alyssa
Hi L.,
I use the facility right next door to Overland Park Regional Hospital. I use the medical plaza. It's called For Women Only. They are really awesome! They even have midwifary which is really cool. Give them a call and ask to talk to Dr. Mirable. Their number is ###-###-####. They really listen to you. I have had nothing but good experiences. Hope this helps! Good luck and congrats and your 3rd!
A.
I also went to For Women Only and had Dr. Mirabile for both of my pregnancies. I had a wonderful experience both times. My babies were big - 8 lbs 12 oz and 10 lbs 0 oz although I did have a section with both of them - my first was breech. I am also tall - 5' 11" and weigh more than some doctors think I should. Dr. Mirabile can make a 9-month pregnant woman feel like a supermodel.
Good luck!
