I need your opinion on my doctors behavior.?

I am also 17 weeks 4 days pregnant and I am also not seeing the same doctor that I was.

The first time I went in I was only 4 weeks along but didn't know it and they weighed me, blood pressure, checked my urine and did a sonogram and couldn't see the baby. So I went two weeks later they weighed me, blood pressure, checked my urine we did another sonogram and we got to see the little dot at 6 weeks and 3 days. One month later (10 weeks 5 days) I had a new appointment with a different doctor because he retired. The new doctor weighed me, blood pressure, checked my urine and did yet another sonogram and listened to the baby's heart. At 15 weeks they only listened to the heart and weighed me, blood pressure, checked my urine. I will have an appointment on my 19th week to have another sonogram to determine the sex of the baby.

I don't believe your doctor is being as attentive as he should be. Do what is best for you but I would get another doctor.

When they check your urine, they aren't doing a urinalysis. They are just doing a dipstick test in the office for protein & sugar to monitor you for pre-eclampsia. Some doctors might not start doing this until closer to the end of your pregnancy, because really if you're blood pressure and everything are okay, it's unlikely that you will have pre-eclampsia this early in pregnancy. Also, doctors do not routinely monitor HCG levels. There is no reason for this unless you are having bleeding or other problems that could signal a possible problem... So I wouldn't worry about the urine stuff. And not every doctor jumps to do an ultrasound right away. In fact, many just recommend one around 20 weeks to check the baby's anatomy & growth.

What I *would* worry about is that he isn't measuring your abdomen or listening for the heartbeat-- This IS routine stuff that I think every doctor should be doing. If he isn't feeling/measuring your abdomen, how does he know if you are measuring correctly for how many weeks pregnant you are?? If you were measuring too small, this would indicate a problem. And although they don't *have* to check the heartbeat each time, especially if you're feeling movement, I thought this was just routine to check the baby's heart rate to make sure it's within normal range.

I mean, some doctors are just more relaxed about pregnancy as long as you aren't having problems. Especially older doctors... Not sure if yours is or not... But they kind of look at pregnancy like it's a healthy condition and not a disease.. I mean, even 25 years ago, they didn't bother with all the testing that they do now. But I personally like a doctor who plays it safe as well. We have more technology now and I'm like you-- I want it used to make sure everything is ok, even if it seems unnecessary! I'd probably get a new doctor.

After about 12 - 14 weeks most doctors will listen to the heart beat and measure the height of the uterus. But if you already confirmed your pregnancy there is no reason to keep doing urinalysis. I never knew what my HCG levels were in either of my pregnancies. With my second pregnancy I had done a home pregnancy test and they didn't even do a pregnancy test because they said it was the same test as the one I did at home and wasn't necessary. Most of my appointments were just weight, blood pressure, listen to the heart beat and measure the uterus. I do think it is strange that he's not listening to the heartbeat at each visit, but I don't think it is strange that he isn't doing a urinalysis. But if you are unhappy with him you should look around for another doctor.

I personally would not feel comfortable with that situation either. My OB always measures me across the belly and gets out the doppler and listens to the heartbeat. The nurse should always record your weight and take your blood pressure. You probably already know all of this because you had three children previous to this and you seem to know what's missing ;) I would be concerned too.

It may be a sign to switch doctors. Just my opinion, as I am not in your exact situation so always do what you feel is best. ;) Good luck and don't stress too much for the baby's sake. Unfortunately there are incompetent people out there in authoritive positions and it happens.

Wow, that seems pretty inattentive. I'm in my first pregnancy, and I've been a little surprised that my appointments are so short. But they always include urinalysis, weight and bp, uterine measurement, doppler heartbeat, and q & a with the doctor if I want it.

I don't know if I'd be comfortable with less attention than that, and if you're not, it's definitely time to see another doctor. ANYONE can tell you you LOOK pregnant. You seek the medical attention to make sure everything's okay with the pregnancy. If you don't feel like you're receiving that attention, definitely go find a doctor you're more comfortable with!

Good luck!

I want to say its not easy to find a doc you can trust. So my biggest recommendation would be is for you to go back to the old doctor you know you can trust and he will do everything possible for your baby to have a healthy start. My sister drives one hour to her doctor too and it was her second child with this doc and she didnt have the baby in the car or anything. Especially with the 4th child you know what contraction feel like, and when you notice the time between contraction decreasing get in the car and go to the doc you know you can rely on. This new doc you have is so lame he sounds like my other doc i had years ago that was using drugs on duty hes in jail now, but imagine how many wrong prescriptions he wrote out to patients. anyway good luck and take care

Hmm. I know ever doctor is different and does things differently from the next.

But I would think he would check your urine for protein levels which I know if really important during pregnancy.

I'm 31 weeks along and I get urine, weight, blood pressure, and doppler at EVERY visit. He's measured my belly twice. I've had an ultrasound at 8w, 13w, and 20w. I'm getting one more around 36 weeks to check baby's position.

Do you feel comfortable asking him why you haven't gotten urine checked and your other concerns?

no i would get me a new doctor. honestly you should try asking your former doctor for a reccomendation for a good doctor in your area. most doctors know each other in the immediate area, and maybe your ob/gyn can suggest a doctor and a pediatrician. but i wouldnt go to this doctor anymore. in the mean time i would continue to see my former doctor in thats an hour away, but actively look for another one close by. plus in the begining, you only gotta go every so often. by the time you get to your 2nd trimester which is only 2 1/2 weeks away you'll have to go once a month. so i would find one by then.

Don't even think another second about it. If you're not comfortable with him, get another doctor. He'll be able to transfer over all your records (the few that he has anyway) to your new doc. Do this as soon as you can because the more knowledge your new doctor has, the better for you and your baby - good luck!!

I peed in a cup at every visit to check sugar and protein. He doesn't need to check your urine for pregnancy - he drew blood. I never knew my HGC levels.

Some doctors don't do ultrasounds until the 20th week - and that is the only one to do.

Really - it doesn't sound as if he is being too awful. Have you asked to hear the heartbeat?

If you don't like it - you should definitely switch doctors, but I don't think he is giving you poor pre natal care.