Doctor Care

vivienmelican

should i be concerned, my mum in law says i should but im easy going
anyway im 25 weeks pregnant and attending my GP as you do roughly every 4 weeks.
He has been my GP for about 2 years.
Each time i visit he looks blankly at me, doesnt know who i am or that I am pregnant. I have to tell him my name and that im pregnant each time.
He fills out nothing for me, doesnt weigh me etc. Has only ever took my bloodpressure and used the doppler. Im in there all of 5 minutes.
He also asks me everytime is it my first baby when he is the same GP who cares for my 2 year old daughter.
Any time i attend him for any sickness, either myself or my daughter or my husband. He will as a standard refer us to a hospital consultant as well ! just to be on the safe side he says. Nothing ever comes of it because its either just a cold or a bug.
I had a cough once, im a non smoker, and he frightened me to death and sent me off for tests. of which of course nothing was found except i had an enlarged tonsil... cost me 150 euros each time he sends me off
The latest thing is he said he detected a very minor heart murmour in my 2 year old. he said its nothing but again to be on safe side i have to go to a consultant.
Is this all normal practice these days? would it be ba dform to switch doctors at 25 weeks gone? I would like to stay in the same clinic though of which there are 8 doctors in total. am i being a bit silly and its all normal?

jeeney

Hi,
If I were you, I'd change doctors. You need more reassurance than that when you're pregnant and he should be weighing you, checking a urine sample as well as checking blook pressure and checking for a heartbeat at every apt. He's obviously not being thorough enough. Just switch doctors at the same clinic. I'd have no hesitation if I were you...

crazy cat lady

You should definately be getting your urine checked at your check ups. Weight isn't an issue though, I don't believe there is any evidence to suggest that monitoring weight gain in pregnany is of any benefit.

At the end of the day, if you don't have a good relationship with your GP, you should ask to change to a different one.

As for being referred to specialists, you have to remember that most GPs are 'Jacks of all trades, masters of none' so some are more thorough than others in getting a second opinion with someone in a field more specialised to your health complaint.

Hope this helps and good luck with the rest of your pregnancy

Neyite

I'd change too. I found it a great reassurance to know that my practice knows me, my medical history, and I can chat away with any concerns that I have.

My own GP surgery have been amazing. I would literally trust them with my life. You shouldnt have to recount your medical history every time you go into them, thats why they are supposed to keep records.

You should definatly be getting your urine monitored at the least. Do they measure your bump for fundal height?

littlemissfixit

Agree with all above.
And going by your post, you dont sound very satisfied with the care you are given, so that is reason enough to change.
It was only second time I was seeing my GP when I got pregnant, and right from then she knew my name, and the details of my case... this is not to say that they should remember everything and everyone, but that if doing their job properly, they should have had a quick look at your chart before you get in at least.
They are paid well enough, you have to be able to request the highest level of care!