My GP sux and now I'm confused. Do I have to see an Ob?

[blackstar]

Hi All. Hoping someone can advise.

I've had really bad luck finding a good GP in the areas I live and work.

I was on holidays when I fell pregnant so didn't bother seeing GP until I got home. By then I was 7 weeks. The GP I saw was quite incompetent and told me that I didn't need a referral to anyone - midwife, scans, Ob - until I was 15 weeks (as well as some other whacky advice). Clearly she was wrong and I've now been to a random GP so that I can book in a dating ultrasound and make sure everything is normal for the stage I am at.

However, this doctor has told me that I need to book in with an Ob. If I want a midwife managed birth a birthing centre, do I still need to see an Ob throughout the pregnancy, or just the midwife?

Obviously this is my first pregnancy and without proper guidance from a good GP I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing and when!

[Jaycee]

Hi Blackstar

Are you planning to go public or private?

With the public birthing centre I went to I saw my GP initially who did a referral to the birthing centre and then they contacted me for an appointment. I saw a midwife the first time there around 8 weeks and then i kept seeing a midwife until the later stages of pregnancy when I was told I needed to see an ob as i had high blood pressure and signs of pre-eclampsia.

I'm not sure if this has helped, all I would suggest is that you phone the place where you plan to have bubs and ask them for some advice as to what to do.

Hope this helps

[StrawberryMumma]

Hey Hunny

Sorry you are having a tough time atm. Firstly what I would do is decide on what type of care and birth that you'd most like to have.
I would also phone the birthing centre you spoke about, and just ask them how it all works (ie. When do most people have their apps, how often...etc). They will tell you in 30 seconds how everything works then you'll know and you can book as you need.
Or if you have private health insurance with mat cover, and would like one obstertrician that will look after you throughout your pregnancy and birth then phone around and just see what they all say. Again, ask them how it all works etc..

I'm sure after a few quick phone calls you will have it all sorted.

Good luck.

[[M]umma[M]ia]

i havent seen my OB since i fell pregnant but he did help me falling pregnant lol. Um i have a midwife only and i seen my GP when i first found out and he gave me referals for blood tests and my first scan (12 weeks) and told me who to contact to find a midwife.

My advice hun, find a midwife and stick with that. No real need to see a OB unless u are high risk.

Hope that helped, good luck xox

[blackstar]

Thanks everyone. As soon as I get my scan results, I'll ask this 2nd GP for a referral to the birthing centre I want to go to. Surely once I've seen a midwife, I'll be on the right track.

I can't believe how many incompetent GPs there are! Grrr....