How could my doctor abandon me like this?

Question

I'm 29 weeks pregnant, and at the end of my appointment today, my OB informed me that she is leaving the practice. Her last day will be October 27, and my baby is due November 9. She offered to continue seeing me until she leaves, but told me that she would understand if I wanted to start seeing some of the other doctors in the practice so that I would be familiar with them when it is time for me to deliver. This is the sort of thing you tell a pregnant woman in the FIRST trimester, giving her time during the 2nd to find another doc that she likes. If you have stayed until a woman reaches her third trimester, I think a doc should be morally bound to see her through and refuse to take on any new cases.

I don't like all of the other docs in the practice. My last doc left just after my two year old was born, and I chose my current one because of the other ones, she was the one that I loved going to. One of the others I still refer to as the evil skinny wench. What if she is the one on call the night I go into labor?

I am distraught over this. Thanks for letting me vent.

Answer 1

I'm sorry about your situation! I had a similar one happen to me but here's what I can tell you...Even if you see the same OB for every appointment, there's no guarantee that that doc will be the one to deliver you baby so it's probably a good idea to make appoinments with and meet the other doctors in the practice anyways. You're pretty close to the finish line so my suggestion would be to stick with this practice since they have all your history, info, etc. and it's somewhere you know and feel comfortble with. BUT if you really don't like any of the other doctors you can always find another practice at anytime. Talk to friends, relatives, coworkers for their recomendations for doctors. Good luck, and I wish you the best! Congrats on your little one!

Answer 2

She gave you 2 months notice. She probably didn't make the decision to leave until just recently. It sucks, but your doctor has every right to do it.

You could always change to a different practice as well. You don't have to stay with that group of OBs.

Answer 3

She has to do what she has to do, why should she be obligated to see u through your pregnancy if she has other issues she needs to pursue?

I left MY doctor at 34 weeks, because I had business to take care of.  It is what it is...people have lives.

Answer 4

Things happen for a reason sister and take this decision as something positive and beneficial for you and your family. Things like this are not always to be understood but will work out for the best. God Bless!

Answer 5

I know it's tough for you, but the truth is: her patients are all in different periods of pregnancy. She would be bailing on first, second, third, trimesters, birthing, and all others. If she waited until everyone was "ready" she would never be able to leave.

It's not just you. But I feel your frustration. And it sucks. At least you have time to move on and find another. Maybe she has a good recommendation?  

Answer 6

OMG!! That happened to me too...with my first child [I have 4 now]

I went through THREE doctors [all at the same office] and I was pissed.

Especially since I was young...very young...and it was already hard and pretty nerve wracking so to have to keep changing doctors definitely did NOT help. It's bad enough to have to spread 'em for one doctor...let alone a whole funch of them...blah. d**n doctors.

Thanks for letting me vent too...lol :-)

Oh...and not to mention...when I went into labor my doctor [well...the 3rd one I was seeing] wasn't even there for the delivery!!! It was some psycho looking redhead with bright red glasses and spiky hair...oh I was not amused. Yeah...so I feel ya on this...GRRR!!!

Answer 7

If your doctor happened to not be available when you went into labor someone else would have had to deliver the baby.  You never know who will be there when your baby is delivered.  Think of how many patients she has, is she suppose to wait to change practices until they all deliver?  You have more than enough time to find another doctor.  Pick the one you like most and go with them.