the big OB switch

I talked about this in December, but after my most recent appointment with my (now former) OB, I decided I needed to switch. I had brought up a few concerns to her (increased/change in CM and cramping), all I really wanted was for her to give me some confirmation that things would likely be okay and tell me any symptoms that should cause concern. Instead she took it as me wanting an u/s and told me that they don't do ultrasounds on all their patients just to find the one or two that are going to lose their babies. Um...WTHeck? I called a different OB the following Monday and made an appointment for a new patient consult. Like I said before, I used to see this (new) OB before but had to switch due to insurance changes, so I already had an inkling that I would like her. Well...in between my last appointment with my old OB and the appointment with the new OB I experienced spotting. Twice. It was always brown and never heavy, but it didn't come after a BM, lots of walking around/lifting, or sex. I was also experiencing cramping. So, I was concerned. I had read that I should call my OB if I experience spotting. So, I did. The nurse called me back and basically ignored what I told her (that it wasn't brought on by any activities that can cause it and that it was accompanied by cramping) and then said, "If/when you start bleeding heavily, go to the ER." Again, WTHeck???!!! Um, if I'm bleeding heavily isn't it already too late. I wanted to choke her!! It affirmed what I already knew about my old OB, that it just wasn't the practice for someone with a history of IF who is scared out of her mind that she is going to lose her baby ESPECIALLY after experiencing worrisome symptoms.

The hard part was that I wasn't scheduled at my new OB for another week and I was so freaked out! I managed to make it to the appointment (instead of making a trip to the ER) and explained to the nurse my situation. She was SOOOO sweet. She said that the doc would definitely want to get me in for an ultrasound and that she would probably be able to get me in that day. The OB then came in and affirmed what the nurse said. I explained to her that I had stopped spotting, but she said it was always best to be safe. EXACTLY!! I could have hugged her right then. I liked that she also said that while spotting *can* be normal in pregnancy, sometimes it can be a symptom of something more serious. She also asked me the questions that my former OB failed to ask, "Have you noticed an increase in CM? Do you feel like you are losing fluid throughout the day? Was the spotting brought on by BMs, sex, or an increase in activity? How long did the cramping last? Did it come at regular intervals?" I was impressed. Plus, when I explained that the baby was a product of TWO IVFs she responded with, "Oh, what a miracle!" This OB got it. She understood.

What is interesting about her practice is that she does not have an ultrasound machine/tech in her office. Instead, all of her ultrasounds are done at the local hospital (the one at which I will be giving birth). The plus side of this is that they do ultrasounds from 7am-9pm. Very convenient! After speaking with me, she said that she would get me in for an ultrasound that afternoon and made sure that MBL would be able to make that work with his schedule. She explained that in order to get me scheduled for that afternoon she would need to write the order as "threatened A/B", but she assured me that she didn't see any reason to worry. She (and I) just wanted to see if there was a cause of the bleeding. I could have cried throughout the whole appointment because I just felt listened to and well cared for and that is all I wanted. MBL and I went to the ultrasound and everything looked perfect! The tech was so sweet and even recorded the four chambers of the heart beating for us. At first our LO was sitting with her legs crossed, so we couldn't get a good potty shot, but she finally moved at the end of the ultrasound and the tech was able to see three lines. She's still a girl! The tech explained that the ultrasound was not our full anatomy/anomaly scan so we would get to come back in a few weeks! She told us to schedule it for 21/22 weeks because that is when we could get the best 3D pictures. So...we have another ultrasound scheduled for this Monday :). The best part is that I won't have to miss my internship and MBL won't have to miss work to attend...we were able to schedule it at 7:00pm.

All in all, I feel so good about making the OB switch. I did have to call my old office and cancel my 20 week ultrasound/appointment and the receptionist asked if I was going to reschedule and all I could muster at that point was, "My husband and I may be switching to a different provider, but if I need to reschedule I will call back." I need to call them and tell them that I have switched and I would like to write a letter to my (old) OB explaining why. MBL and I also had to pay $240 for maternity care and we will obviously need to get that back since we will not be continuing with their care for this pregnancy. The problem is that I just hate confrontation!! But, I think it's important for them to understand the flaws in their care and hopefully open their eyes to the sensitivity that IF patients need when they are pregnant! I'm just not worrying about it right now because I'm so excited that I will get to see our little girl again on Monday!! YAY!