Pediatrician

I called my pediatrician's office to ask if I could have a 'talking appointment' to discuss the pediatric portion of my Birth Plan. The receptionist gave me a flat, "No." to any appointment that was just to meet with the doc. I understand that they can't 'bill' for that, but the best doctors I've been to have made the time for interviews in their practice. I pushed a little and she suggested I leave a message for a doctor and let them decide if they would call me back.

They did call me back pretty quickly, but it became evident that the doctor had no idea what I was looking for. When I said I wanted to go over my birth plan concerning kangaroo care, Vit K, immunizations, newborn tests and breastfeeding twins to make sure that when I was in the hospital that the nurses and staff knew I had my care provider's backing on rooming in (this hospital is notorious for trying to force babies to the nursery instead of leaving them with mom) and other things I felt strongly about, the doctor was obvious confused why I was calling. I'd hoped that this would help if any questions arose in the hospital so that I would have leverage in the moment. She kept assuring me that a doctor would make 'rounds' everyday and answer any questions I had once the babies were born.

I kept asking if we could meet and review my birth plan in advance. Finally, I realized the disconnect: She didn't know a birth plan was a written document that I wanted put in my medical file. When I explained that she got quiet and uncomfortable. Then she said, "Well, if you want us to sign a formal plan we'll have to meet and read over it."

Finally! "Yes. That is exactly what I want!"

Then she asked, "Is this something you did with your other births?"

"Yes, of course."

"Hmmm. How strange."

I felt the same way about her. Sorry to be negative. But I don't understand why I get treated like I am an alien with two heads. I just want to communicate, negotiate and get on the same page with my care providers. I would imagine not wanting that would be the odd way of doing business. Sigh...

The Strange Mom

Start at the beginning

I am not a blogger. I don't have the attention span for it. I've tried a little, but to be honest I can't even read other people's blogs because I get bored quickly. But since I found out I was having twins I wanted to journal my experience partially because I hoped it would help it all feel real. I have no idea if I'll keep up with the blog, or were this journey will lead, but I'll give writing it down a shot.

I had an OB appointment today. If I were to give it a grade it would be a C-. Dr G. is nice an professional and I think he really will do his best to make sure we are all healthy, but I didn't get the feeling he cares much about my feelings. I guess the world would say to me, "Well, why would he? That is not his job afterall." But in my mind he is a CARE-provider and I expected/hoped for a little more compassion.

I asked about monitoring and his response was, "You'll have to take the tour and ask the nurses there. I don't know. And I can't trump hospital policy anyway." Sigh.... It doesn't give me confidence when a doctor doesn't know the answer to something basic like that... but more realistically it doesn't give me confidence when they do know, but they pass the buck.

On the other hand, he seemed to think that it was likely that I would be delivering vaginally. He talked about how he wasn't concerned about Baby B breech extractions if that became an issue and talked about his history with delivering breech babies. That did help. He was really willing to talk about that openly and he has some solid experience with both twins and breeches.


I wish I didn't feel so stuck. I feel like I am between the rock and the hard place. The 'establishment' and all the unnecessary standard policies that have nothing to do with my health and everything to do with their convenience.... and the risk of something actually going wrong.

I just want personalized care. But there doesn't seem to be any to be found here.