Does anyone have a SUPER relaxed doctor/midwife...

[Allie84]

...and is not getting extra scans, monitoring, etc?

I feel like every pregnant lady in 3rd tri is getting growth scans, NSTs, etc and I have had nothing but super quick appointments since my 19 week u/s.

My doctors are SO relaxed. No matter what symptoms I am having...cramping, tummy ache, brown spotting...they tell me it's all normal normal normal. And maybe it is, but I feel like when most people have these symptoms they get examined and reassured.

I also have gestational diabetes and I'm not getting any extra care even though I'm 'high risk' now, like extra scans or NSTs or anything, because my sugars have been good. They just look at my (self-reported) paper with my levels and tell me I don't need monitoring unless I go on insulin. It just makes me uneasy becuase I feel like every other woman with GD gets a bunch of extra tests.

I'm just wondering if it's just my practice that is sooooo relaxed about everything, and to know I'm not the only one who is hardly getting looked at when I got in for appts, etc.?

 

[seoj]

I can understand your concern hun... evern if there IS nothing to be worried about... we want that reassurance and explanation... not just the "brush off"-- I would think you would get some extra appts and blood work to monitor your GD??? My friend had this in her recent pregnancy (as well with her last) and she was put on a restrictive diet and had a few extra appts and bloods drawn to monitor it all. As they didn't want her to get to where she needed insulin...

I mean my OB is pretty laid back, but she always takes the time to see me and answer my questions and talk me through any concerns... because of my placenta previa I get my cervix checked via u/s more often... to make sure it's where it should be. Even though I've had weeks I went without an appt as all looked good... but I've never felt brushed off or like she wasn't doing all she could. I've just not had any issues. Even still, I've had several scans...

I would voice your concerns to your doctor and hopefully they take it more seriously. If you were earlier on I might even recommend finding a new doc, but at this point- not sure what would make the most sense??? Sorry hun...

Best of luck!

 

[Milliemoo x]

My midwife is oober relaxed too. I told her my tummy was really tender cos it was worrying me and she was just like "yeah that can happen." She doesnt even look at my blood tests cos she missed loads of things last time so now i just go to my doctor cos shes fab! It just doesnt fill you with much confidence does it, i mean how do they know its all fine if they dont check you properly?!?!?! Its madness! x

 

[Belle25]

I never had any additional scans etc in my first pregnancy, but am only getting them in this pregnancy as I have low fluid and am now higher risk and under consultant care not midwife care.

I would have thought they ought to keep a closer eye on you if you have gestational diabetes than an average pregnancy.
Are they checking your urine, fundal height, bp etc at the appointments? Make sure they do these, as it was my fundal height that prompted further investigation.
xx

 

[Allie84]

Thanks ladies.

Yeah, they check my BP, fundal height and urine but then it's like "bye!" I don't think they go over my blood work because they were surprised when I told them some of my results and they had to go look into it. I told them I'd like some sort of extra monitoring for GD but they told me they won't bother as long as my fundal height is normal. I call the nurse line when I have concerns and every single time I've been told it's all normal....when I had BV in 2nd tri, I had to pretty much beg for a swab! I was told I had a fibroid at my u/s as well and there's going to be no follow up on that...I'm not trying to be needy, I just kind of feel like I may as well be my own doctor for as much attention as they seem to pay. Especially considering I have GD now.

One one hand I know I should be grateful they don't seem to think I need anything extra, but I'm a worrier anyways and I'd just feel a lot better if I was getting some sort of reassurance or extra scans (especially for the GD) as it seems to be the norm.

 

[vintage67]

Does Allie84 mean that you are only 27 years old? This may be part of it as well. Many of us that get GD are over 35 and being over 35 is what usually gets you a lot of extra scans and tests when age is combined with high BP and/or GD.

 

[luvmyfam]

Sounds like my doctor. I never had any extra scans or anything with my first pregnancy or this one. And your visits sound just like mine. If your fundal height is fine and your sugar levels have been fine there is probably no reason for NSTs or scans. Most experienced doctors are comfortable with their own judgement on whether further care is needed. My doctor felt my belly 2 days before my first LO was born and said "yep, he's 8 pounds" and he was 7lbs 15 oz!

 

[Allie84]

Does Allie84 mean that you are only 27 years old? This may be part of it as well. Many of us that get GD are over 35 and being over 35 is what usually gets you a lot of extra scans and tests when age is combined with high BP and/or GD.

Yes, I'm only 27...but I feel like I'm 80 these days. What with the pregnancy discomfort and aging with worry! It's interesting that may have something to do with how concerned the docs are, though.

It's just really bugging me today. I have a half a mind to call them up and say I'm getting super bad anxiety. I just can't seem to shake feeling anxious and I'd feel much better if I was getting listened to or looked at....

luvmyfam, so you had GD and had no extra monitoring? That makes me feel better...though I don't seem to trust my docs as much as you trust yours!

 

[ellie27]

I feel the same, but this is my 2nd baby, and its normal to have a lot less appts.

I have had 2 scans and 3 midwife appts so far and I am now 32 wks.

I know I am well and not having any problems so I am happy with that!

 

[Scarletvixen]

Its standard procedure here to scan all diabetics monthly xx

 

[Angelique]

OK... just my advice.... I'd switch doctors. Honestly. I love my doctor who is super relaxed, and un-doctorish, but is very thorough. If you don't feel comfortable it would be better to switch

 

[sun]

My MW is super relaxed too but our appointments are usually longer due to chatting about the birth, birth options, etc. If I had an OB, I'm sure I would be in and out in 5min or less. I know there isn't really anything complicated about my pregnancy though - it started off rocky, but has been totally normal since. There's really not much for them to do! xx

Not sure about the GD though. My friend has GD as well, but it is borderline and she just sticks to her diet. She hasn't had any additional scans because of it and she has an OB!

 

[robinator]

I don't get squat. No growth scans; they've never even checked my fundal height, even though all the books say that happens at every visit. I often wonder what my doctor would talk to me about at each visit if I didn't bring in a list of questions. Because he answers my questions but doesn't talk about anything else!

I'm wondering if the FH checks will start now that I'm further along, but I have no idea. I see one of the practice's ARNP's at my next visit; we'll see what happens there....

 

[aley28]

I don't get squat. No growth scans; they've never even checked my fundal height, even though all the books say that happens at every visit. I often wonder what my doctor would talk to me about at each visit if I didn't bring in a list of questions. Because he answers my questions but doesn't talk about anything else!

I'm wondering if the FH checks will start now that I'm further along, but I have no idea. I see one of the practice's ARNP's at my next visit; we'll see what happens there....

Mine started checking FH at 24 weeks this pregnancy, and at 26 weeks last pregnancy.


I've had two ultrasounds; one for dating how far along I was, as I had no AF after a miscarriage before conceiving. And the second for the anatomy scan at 20 weeks. I don't expect to have any further ultrasounds unless something seems off, and that's fine by me!

I haven't seen my doctor in 5 weeks, and nobody is very concerned about that, although I should be seeing him every 3 weeks at this point. He had an out of town emergency and I am tentatively scheduled to go in and see him tomorrow, but he may or may not be back yet.

He's very laid back, though, and would probably give me extra ultrasounds and anything I asked for if I wanted it. He always listens to any questions or concerns I have, reminds me to call his office if I have any problems between appointments, and checks my weight, blood pressure, fundal height and baby's heart beat at every appointment.

I feel confident that if he felt there was need for extra monitoring for me, I'd receive it. If you're feeling brushed off by your doctor, it really could be worth looking into a different doctor. This is your health and your baby's health... might as well be satisfied with the care you are getting!

 

[Allie84]

Thanks everyone...there is no hope of switching for me. I live in a small city with only two choices of hospital/practice, and the other one is actually worse (they don't even check urine at the other one )

I called and asked again today if I'd be getting anything extra for the GD but they said no. I've decided I'm going to bring in the guidelines if I can find them and point out to my doctor that people with GD generally get a scan at least! I'm just going to have to be really pushy......

Yes, like one poster said, if I didn't have a list of quesitons I have no idea what the doctor would even say to me. She just waits for me to start talking.

 

[OctBebe]

Mine is which is good as I get myself in a panic then ask her at my app and she just says "thats fine" or "thats normal" kinda bums me out a little if I was convinced there was something wrong. She gave me some good advise on Monday. She said with labour you won't be wondering 'maybe this is it' or 'i think this is it' you will know its go time.