The last few appts late in pregnancy

[Anonymous]

I know that appointment are typically done weekly in the last month. I am at nearly 39 weeks and my doctor's office is unexpectedly closed today (i think their renovations are running longer than expected), so they left me a voicemail friday evening saying they'll have to call and reschedule the appt i had for today. it's already been 10 days since my last appt, and i have no idea when they'll now see me next. when i tried to call their office today, i only got a voicemail saying to call the answering service and the doctor on call if it's an emergency. it's making me a bit nervous, since it's so late in the game. i ASSUME the doctor wouldn't just leave me hanging like this if it were vital that he see me weekly. but ... it's still a bit nerve-racking (and making it difficult to plan my work week too, but that's a more minor concern). any advice? just relax and not worry about it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know that appointment are typically done weekly in the last month. I am at nearly 39 weeks and my doctor's office is unexpectedly closed today (i think their renovations are running longer than expected), so they left me a voicemail friday evening saying they'll have to call and reschedule the appt i had for today. it's already been 10 days since my last appt, and i have no idea when they'll now see me next. when i tried to call their office today, i only got a voicemail saying to call the answering service and the doctor on call if it's an emergency. it's making me a bit nervous, since it's so late in the game. i ASSUME the doctor wouldn't just leave me hanging like this if it were vital that he see me weekly. but ... it's still a bit nerve-racking (and making it difficult to plan my work week too, but that's a more minor concern). any advice? just relax and not worry about it?

I'd be incredibly annoyed, but not stressed. In those last few appointments they check to see if you're dilated, how much, and to discuss any last-minute concerns. If you've had an uneventful pregnancy to this point, I wouldn't worry. I would keep calling and let them know you need to get there ASAP.

[Anonymous]

If it's a group practice (or even if it's a solo, maybe . . .) you may have to be aggressive. I switched providers, from an OB practice to a midwife, at 34 weeks, but I didn't tell the OB's office I was switching, I just didn't make my next appointment. At 36 weeks, I saw a nurse practitioner to get abx for a UTI, she didn't say anything . . . had my baby at 39 weeks, hadn't heard from them . . . baby is now six weeks old, and I've never heard a peep from them. I would have thought they would call to see what happened to me, but no. It was quite a factory, so I guess it's easy for patients to fall through the cracks. Saying all this to say: they may not be paying attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it's a group practice (or even if it's a solo, maybe . . .) you may have to be aggressive. I switched providers, from an OB practice to a midwife, at 34 weeks, but I didn't tell the OB's office I was switching, I just didn't make my next appointment. At 36 weeks, I saw a nurse practitioner to get abx for a UTI, she didn't say anything . . . had my baby at 39 weeks, hadn't heard from them . . . baby is now six weeks old, and I've never heard a peep from them. I would have thought they would call to see what happened to me, but no. It was quite a factory, so I guess it's easy for patients to fall through the cracks. Saying all this to say: they may not be paying attention.

I wouldn't be surprised if you never heard from the doctors/nurses again, but I bet you'll be hearing from their billing people. Hopefully they won't "accidentally" charge you for the delivery that they didn't do!

OP, I would insist on being seen. There are things that can happen later on that could be serious - elevated blood pressure, low amniotic fluid etc etc. This smacks of patient abandonment and I wouldn't tolerate it. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I would definitely call the emergency line, and leave a message for the doc to return your call--either s/he'll refer you to a colleague or tell you it can wait....don't worry about it being not an "emergency"--you want to prevent one.....

[Anonymous]

I agree with 14:16 - you don't need the stress this late in the game and it's good to have a regular check-up to make sure everything's still on target.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know that appointment are typically done weekly in the last month. I am at nearly 39 weeks and my doctor's office is unexpectedly closed today (i think their renovations are running longer than expected), so they left me a voicemail friday evening saying they'll have to call and reschedule the appt i had for today. it's already been 10 days since my last appt, and i have no idea when they'll now see me next. when i tried to call their office today, i only got a voicemail saying to call the answering service and the doctor on call if it's an emergency. it's making me a bit nervous, since it's so late in the game. i ASSUME the doctor wouldn't just leave me hanging like this if it were vital that he see me weekly. but ... it's still a bit nerve-racking (and making it difficult to plan my work week too, but that's a more minor concern). any advice? just relax and not worry about it?

OP - Is this Dr. Bridges office? I thought he was supposed to be back today, but also got the answering service.

Regarding not seeing him today - I am sure they will get you in this week as soon as they can, and if something urgent came up in the meantime (i.e. tonight) call the answering service and I am sure they will put you through.

Try to relax because worrying is not going to change anything (easier said than done!!).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it's a group practice (or even if it's a solo, maybe . . .) you may have to be aggressive. I switched providers, from an OB practice to a midwife, at 34 weeks, but I didn't tell the OB's office I was switching, I just didn't make my next appointment. At 36 weeks, I saw a nurse practitioner to get abx for a UTI, she didn't say anything . . . had my baby at 39 weeks, hadn't heard from them . . . baby is now six weeks old, and I've never heard a peep from them. I would have thought they would call to see what happened to me, but no. It was quite a factory, so I guess it's easy for patients to fall through the cracks. Saying all this to say: they may not be paying attention.

This is a little over the top and not really relevant. I am sure their intention was not to miss your appointment - all of us have experienced delays with contractors doing work on our houses and I am sure this is no different - they promise you a date and never deliver (no pun intended) on time.

Also at 39 weeks logistically I think you would have a hard time changing doctors. Try not to get upset and see what they say tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Yes, it's Dr. Bridges' office. At the very least, I just wish I had some indication/reassurance of when they're definitely going to be open again and can fit me in ...

[Anonymous]

If you call tomorrow and he is not there still, do you know who his back-up is and could you call them to be seen?

[Anonymous]

oh wow - good to know what's going on with Doc Bridges office. Their message sure wasn't very explanatory. I think this is very minor compared to your situation - but they have been promising me for 3 1/2 weeks that they will tell me my c-section scheduled date and still they can't seem to get it. Something was going on with the on call scheduler at Sibley that played a part in this delay but at this point its kinda crazy.

If you are stressing I wouldn't feel bad about using the emergency line. I'm sure its fine but still - I would probably be worrying about it too.

[Anonymous]

I've had to use the answering service twice so far for Dr B and each time, he called back fairly promptly and did not seem at all perturbed, so I would go ahead and call the service and ask him what you should do. Get the name of some of his backups, and see if someone can do a check up--I think one of the Dr Footers is among his list of backups but I can't remember whether its Richard or Robert (confusing) and there are others, who are on call for him. If they can't get you in tomorrow, why not go somewhere else he recommends, simply to get checked for bp, dilation, signs of labor, etc. at 30 weeks I'd wait it out, but at 39--I wouldn't.

on an only semi related note: I love Dr Bridges, but have found the staff to be less than stellar and have some scheduling problems.

GOod luck!

[Anonymous]

Hey OP - FYI I just called the office and they are open today!

[Anonymous]

Just to chime in: I agree with 17:52, it was really a major factor to me in transferring care (I also really did not want a hospital birth, though I like Dr. Bridges personally a lot.)

I took the time to send a handwritten note to him but his office staff is just clueless and not all that friendly or informative.

[Anonymous]

Relax and don't worry about it. If you are having a normal and healthy pregnancy, not seeing the doctor every week at the end is not that big of a deal. My care provider had me coming in every two weeks, not every week, even at the very end.