Feeling overwhelmed - newly pregnant and can't get an OBGYN office to answer the phone

[Anonymous]

I'm ~5 weeks pregnant with my first and feeling overwhelmed by the the whole ~finding a doctor and essentially picking my birth hospital now as a result~ thing. I've called several offices that are in network (as far as I can tell at least) and none of them answer the phone or call back. Is that normal? Will they call back eventually? I imagined I'd have some choices about doctor, hospital, etc. but it feels like I'll just get whoever will take me. Maybe that's a relief because I have no clue how to pick which hospital I want anyway. I don't know what kind of "birth experience" I want. I just want to have the baby and have people on deck who are equipped to give needed care to me and to the baby if things go wonky. With so many appointments, I should pick an office I can get to easily, right? Is that more important in practical terms than absolutely loving the doctor?

I'm in DC and my insurance is Aetna. Any advice on how to manage this without going nuts is very much appreciated!

[Anonymous]

I don’t really think it’s normal for a doctor’s office not to answer the phone or call back. It happens occasionally but shouldn’t be a persistent problem.

Have you thought about what hospital you’d like to deliver at? Do you want midwives or an OB? Would you prefer a large practice or a small practice/solo? These are all things I’d think about and then start calling around.

[Anonymous]

Do you have a regular gynecologist or GP? The first thing you need to do right now is get some blood work to confirm the pregnancy and your hormone levels. If your gynecologist doesn't do OB, they might have recommended providers. You can start there...you've got a lot of time!

And Congratulations!!!

[Anonymous]

Use the portal. Most use that instead of phone, it’s more confidential.

[Anonymous]

Use the portal or look further out

[Anonymous]

Congratulations! Try sending a message through the portal of an Ob convenient to you. You have time. I know a few women who waited months for an initial appointment, but that is third kid type of business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Use the portal. Most use that instead of phone, it’s more confidential.

OP here. I've tried portals and they let me get as far as making an account and uploading my insurance card, but then I get a "Opps! Only existing patients can make appointments through the portal. Please call us to schedule" message. I have a GP where I've had my pap smears and such done but I don't have an existing OBGYN.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a regular gynecologist or GP? The first thing you need to do right now is get some blood work to confirm the pregnancy and your hormone levels. If your gynecologist doesn't do OB, they might have recommended providers. You can start there...you've got a lot of time!

And Congratulations!!!

+1 Yes! My OBGYN didn't even care (and it was my second) that I was pregnant until I had bloodwork done. We're too stupid on our own to know that we're pregnant....

[Anonymous]

Congratulations! You got this. It will all be OK.

Start with your GP. Make an appointment to confirm the pregnancy, which is really an appointment to talk about how you’re trying to get in at an OB and can’t. Ask your GP for a referral and help getting on someone’s calendar. Come armed with 3-4 practices you wouldn’t mind starting out with. Know that getting in for your first appointment at 8-10 weeks is normal.

In the meantime, start taking a prenatal vitamin. It doesn’t matter which one. Know that absent unusual circumstances (a history of miscarriage, other major health factors) nothing you do or don’t do at this point is likely to affect the viability of your pregnancy either way.

It’s easy and common to switch pregnancy care providers. Right now, look for someone with a convenient location. If your opinions on what you want during pregnancy care or labor/delivery change, you just ask your old OB to send your records to your new provider. Being a patient is not an irrevocable blood oath.

(P.S. - Don’t choose your hospital based on which pediatricians have privileges, and vice-versa. It’s OK to have the hospital pedi do the initial newborn checks and then start regular care with someone you prefer.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Congratulations! You got this. It will all be OK.

Start with your GP. Make an appointment to confirm the pregnancy, which is really an appointment to talk about how you’re trying to get in at an OB and can’t. Ask your GP for a referral and help getting on someone’s calendar. Come armed with 3-4 practices you wouldn’t mind starting out with. Know that getting in for your first appointment at 8-10 weeks is normal.

In the meantime, start taking a prenatal vitamin. It doesn’t matter which one. Know that absent unusual circumstances (a history of miscarriage, other major health factors) nothing you do or don’t do at this point is likely to affect the viability of your pregnancy either way.

It’s easy and common to switch pregnancy care providers. Right now, look for someone with a convenient location. If your opinions on what you want during pregnancy care or labor/delivery change, you just ask your old OB to send your records to your new provider. Being a patient is not an irrevocable blood oath.

(P.S. - Don’t choose your hospital based on which pediatricians have privileges, and vice-versa. It’s OK to have the hospital pedi do the initial newborn checks and then start regular care with someone you prefer.)

This is the perfect advice. I will add that I would choose a doctor's office that is close to your home or work (or easiest to get to) because you will be going a lot. For calling, try calling first thing in the morning (8:00am) or immediately after lunch (1:00pm).

[Anonymous]

1. Maybe they are expecting a referral from your family doctor and/or 5wks is so early they don't care
2. Talk to a girlfriend who recently had a baby or doula

[Anonymous]

Your experience was my experience in DC. Particularly at GW. They will never call you back or answer the phone. Not even the emergency line. That’s where I delivered my first and the lack of response was just the beginning of the nightmare.

My second two were born at VHC. My calls are answered and returned. Not sure I’ve ever waited more than five minutes for an after hours emergency call back either.

Good luck OP

[Anonymous]

This seems odd... how long has it been waiting for a call back? Delivered two at gw, including one this week, and had great experience.

There's only 4 main hospitals in DC to deliver at, and then a lot on md/va...I'd choose based on where you want to deliver and then you choose ob based on that ( e.g. if you want to deliver at gw you see gw ob, if you want medstar they have their own ob, Sibley you could do cwc or bloom or desouza)

[Anonymous]

You are only 5 weeks. How long have you been pregnant that you have been waiting for a call back? You literally just peed on a stick. No doctor is going to hunt you down and want you to choose them. Leave a message, they will call back. I do not know why you want to choose a hospital. All doctors know how to deliver, so you get the one close to home. Were you planning this child that you have no clue what happens after you pee on a stick?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are only 5 weeks. How long have you been pregnant that you have been waiting for a call back? You literally just peed on a stick. No doctor is going to hunt you down and want you to choose them. Leave a message, they will call back. I do not know why you want to choose a hospital. All doctors know how to deliver, so you get the one close to home. Were you planning this child that you have no clue what happens after you pee on a stick?

Stupid advice.. and hospitals differ- some have high level nicus, others don't. I did not choose the closest and am thankful for it