Normal to see OB only 3 times during pregnancy?

**Mixmix** · 21-07-2011 16:49

Hi all. I'm hoping to get some advice on what is normal regarding seeing your OB during pregnancy.

I'm 37 weeks and this is my first pregnancy. I chose my OB early on and had my first appointment around 12 weeks. Since then, I've had several appointments at the standard intervals, but have only seen the OB three times altogether - she is hardly ever there and so I usually see the midwife instead.

Although my pregnancy has been trouble-free, I'm getting close to my due date and I'm a bit concerned that I've only seen her three times. Is this normal or should I be worried? I still have a few questions about the actual labour and delivery, which I'd prefer to discuss with the OB, but I'm afraid I won't actually get to see her again until I'm in hospital! The midwife is great, but she won't be the one delivering my baby.

Would appreciate hearing from others re the level of contact with OB prior to delivery.

**Edit - should add I'm going private, so have paid the full pregnancy management fee etc.

**Cue** · 21-07-2011 17:00

Seems a little odd to me. I've seen my OB heaps of times, I'm on weekly visits at the moment as I'm almost at the end and I see the OB every time I go - although I do have to wait a while as he gets busy and runs behind due to births etc.

I would be checking that she will be available at the next appointment as you'd like to discuss the birth, so they can book a time that she's scheduled to be in her rooms.

**One of THOSE mums!** · 21-07-2011 17:09

Are u pubic or private?

**Mixmix** · 21-07-2011 17:14

We're going private. So it seems like we're not getting all that much for the $2,800 pregnancy management fee....

**Mezmerised** · 21-07-2011 17:16

I only saw an OB once. I did midwife care (public hospital) and had an OB appointment at around 20 weeks (after the scan). The next appointment booked was 36 weeks but I didn't get that far!

If you don't have any risk factors, then it seems normal to me. But it would depend on public vs private and the hospital's procedures. Did you get anything from the hospital outlining what to expect at each visit?

**One of THOSE mums!** · 21-07-2011 17:27

Sounds right for public but not for private!!! You pay the money for their care, not a midwife. Otherwise u may as well have gone public.
I would research what the fee is for. Some obs charge a management fee on top of appointment fees.
I would be pretty upset like yourself!

**FluffyDucks** · 21-07-2011 17:38

I went Private for first two bubs and now going Public for this one because the care I have recieved for Private and am receiving for Public is teh same...without the expense.

I am seeing a Public OB who is also Private but during my regular appointments I see the midwife. The OB does stick his head and says Hi and asks I have have any qs but apart from that its pretty normal for Public.

For Private I imagine you SHOULD be seeing your OB for every visit...if not then what is the $$$ for?

Originally Posted by Mixmix

The midwife is great, but she won't be the one delivering my baby.

Funnily enough...the midwives do 95% of the work...they are there with you while you labour for however long it takes. The OB just comes in at the last minute and does their thing...if they get there in time.

I would be asking the midwives as well as your OB about your labour and delivery questions.

The midwives I think can supply the most practical advice as they are the ones that get to do all the dirty work

**chase** · 21-07-2011 18:58

Does not sound right even if it was public! As far as I know, visits should be the same frequency (at least) as public - so monthly visits changing to fortnightly after 30 weeks then weekly after 36? Or thereabouts. That should be at least five visits by 37 wks.

If you're seeing midwives at each visit I'd be seriously questioning the point of going private and paying all that money! For one, you're paying to see an Ob, which isn't happening, and two, your visit frequency seems totally out of whack - if you are low risk then I guess that isn't a major issue, but you should be getting more regular monitoring than you are at the moment!

**Bubbles10** · 21-07-2011 19:43

Actually, you will be birthing the baby, not the Ob 'delivering' one.

The service you have been given seems dodgy to me. If you have questions for the Ob, ring up before your appt and request that your appt be with her so you can get questions answered.

**garfield13** · 21-07-2011 20:33

Not normal with my ob. With dd it was him at every appt, this time around he has a midwife. I have spoken on the phone with her once and was told when i booked in i may see her for a couple of appts during the pg but my ob will always come in at the end to see me but would only see my ob late in the pg. Im about to have my 4th appt and still havent seen the mw only my ob. I would not be happy to be paying all the $ to only see the ob a little.