Finding the right doctor!

For the first day of Chanukah, Ill talk about a different first, my first doctors appointment. When we found out I was pregnant, the first thing I did was call the OB to make an appointment. Finding the right OB for you, can be a hard process, I changed doctor 3 times. Some of you may have never even went to an OB/GYN before and wouldn't know where to start or who to call. I did go to on OB/GYN before but I
didn't like them, and did not want to use them for my pregnancy. The doctor I called was my sisters, she had mentioned her doctor once, and I took down the name and googled the number, so when the time came I wouldn't have to ask anyone. Great; that was easy right? Little did I know that they did not accept my insurance, I'm not sure why they didn't ask me over the phone, while making the appointment. But when they called to confirm, I was asked and then was told "We don't accept your insurance, but you can keep your appointment, but you will have to pay $500 for the first visit." oh great thanks, but no thanks Ill try another place.

I thought I was getting of easy, but I guess not. So now it was time to start the doctor hunt, an easy way to find out what doctor in your area accept your insurance, is just to call the insurance company and ask, and they will provide you with a whole list. But they wont tell you how good, or anything about that doctor. So now that you have a list, time to start making calls. First question to ask them, is if they are accepting new patients? If they are you can continue the conversation, if not then that's one off your list. Feel free to ask them if they can provide you with information about there office, some may even let you come in and check the place out. But don't expect receptionist to be nice. (Big mmistake I made) If you like how it sound or maybe you heard of that office before and got some great feed back, then you are ready to schedule your first appointment.

I had went through my list and chosen a doctor and had my first appointment set for June 24 2013. (I was 6 weeks) When the day finally came, I had no idea what to expect for this appointment. I get to the office, and I already didn't like it, the receptionist had her daughter there with her and it just made me very uncomfortable. Remember how pregnant women can smell everything? This place had a smell that was making me so sick. They called my name and took me to the back, where I saw a lady standing there holding her urine sample and another getting her blood drawn, no not privately in there room, this was out in the hall where they had a little section where the nurse did her thing.

I met the doctor, it was a little awkward, he was a quite guy, that let you do all the talking. But it was my first appointment and I didn't know what to say, so there was alot of awkward silence. He did give me a book (the one good thing I liked) I let the doctor and the nurse do there thing, what ever needed to be done, I let them do it but I knew I wasn't going back there. Time to find a new doctor!

As I was on the hunt again, I needed to speak to the doctor, but he was on call so they had a different doctor call me back. The doctor who called me seemed really nice, and was on the phone with me till all my questions where answered. So I did the brave thing, and asked him if I can come to his office, and he was more then happy to see me. I thought I hit the jackpot, what where the odds of a doctor I liked, be calling me. He gives me the office information, to give them a call to schedule an appointed. Funny enough, I call the next day to find out its the doctors office I had went to before I was pregnant. I figured ill give them another chance, since its a different doctor who see you when your pregnant anyways. I was 8 weeks by this appointment and my morning sickness was really acting up. I spent half my visit in the bathroom, with my head by the toilet, and a nurse rubbing a wet cloth on my neck. And the other half sleeping waiting to see the doctor. The nurse had been asking me really strange questioned, like if I have a boy who will be my mohel, and other questioned that I felt were just so not relevant at the moment, I was only 8 weeks! But I brushed it off because I haven't seen the doctor yet, and I still liked him. My appointment was going ok so far, I even felt conformable enough to tell them to invest in air refresher's, as there are plenty of pregnant women here, and I couldn't be the only one bothered by the smell. They laughed and said they will take it into consideration.

I wasn't trying to be picky, but something was bothering me that the doctor had said. So I had asked other people there opinion and they agreed that it wasn't appropriate for the doctor to have said that. I wasn't actively looking for a new doctor, I thought I'll give them another try. A few days before my appointment they called me saying, how the doctor wont be in and well need to reschedule. We had hung up without setting a new appointment.

I have been seeing a gastroenterologist, who is an amazing doctor, but is a little car ride away. I called and asked there office if they can refer me to on OB/GYN. They gave me someone who they were affiliated with. When I called, the receptionist on the phone was so nice, she stayed on the phone with me as we were looking online at all the different doctors, (its a group) and how there office is ran. She emailed me her information, and told me as soon as I get my medical record sent over, she will call me to schedule my appointment. My first appointment there was amazing. The office is nice, clean and no funny smells, everyone is friendly and there to make sure you are happy. My doctor is amazing, I guess third time really is a charm!

You may think I am crazy for changing so many times, but it is so important to like your doctor, it makes things alot easier. So if your not happy with your first, second or third doctor, don't be afraid to change. There is a doctor that is right for you, even if you have to travel a little like I do, its all worth it, you'll see!

P.S I recently received a call from doctor office number 2, asking if I had I changed doctors. Because they see I haven't had any follow up appointments since July.

Here's what to look for in up coming posts!
Babies heart beat!
My no show baby bump!
Memory loss?
Interviews!
Product reviews!
The advantage of exercise!
and much much more!

Happy Motherhood!!

Me at my first appointment, at the first doctor.