I had a miscarriage this year and the way this practice handled it left the experience so much more…read moretraumatizing than it already was. I couldn't get consistent information from anyone, I wasn't allowed to see a doctor, and sometimes I couldn't even get someone to pick up the phone. If this is your first pregnancy, I would advise you go elsewhere.
I knew something was wrong so I called the office to try and be seen sooner than the 10-week appointment I was scheduled for. They would not let me see a doctor before 10 weeks (only the NP), and told me they couldn't fit me in any sooner for an ultrasound. When you call, you can only talk to reception or the nurse on call - they never let you message or speak with an actual doctor. They're also on a rotation, so you aren't assigned to any one doctor, and the doctor on call will consult with the nurse, but they really aren't familiar with you at all. They said I was probably fine and should call back if the bleeding was accompanied with cramps. The bleeding was getting a lot worse so when I called again, a different doctor advised that I definitely shouldn't go to the ER because I would just get sick, but they still wouldn't let me come in to see a doctor...I was still told to just wait and see what happens. When cramps started happening, I called again and this time a different doctor was on call who told the nurse to refer me to a third party for an ultrasound and started tested my hcg levels. The hcg results came in over night, and the nurse told me someone would call me first thing to discuss. I saw the results and knew they weren't right, but I wanted to speak to a doctor to confirm. No one called. After an hour of the practice being open, I called and was on hold for an HOUR. Finally, the nurse picked up and told me very bluntly that it was not a viable pregnancy and that I was having a miscarriage and there's nothing I can do. I asked what I should do and whether I should go to the ultrasound later that day, and the nurse said "that's really up to you. I can see if the doctor can call you today if you want?" Obviously, yes. When the doctor calls me 20 minutes later (this is the first time I've ever spoken with a doctor here), she starts by saying "so what's going on?" As if she hadn't even read my chart. I explain the situation and that I'm having a miscarriage, per the nurse. The doctor proceeds to say "why would you say that? I don't think that's true, we don't know that based on these numbers. You should definitely go to the ultrasound. I don't know why the nurse would tell you that". I still was not able to make an appointment to see a doctor. There was a heartbeat at the ultrasound, but later that night I passed tissue and only when I sent a picture of the tissue did the office finally make an appointment for me on Monday. I had to wait all weekend, and then on Monday it was confirmed I had a miscarriage.
Everyone at the practice just kept telling me how common a miscarriage is and how there's nothing you can do to prevent it so we just have to wait and see. That's fine, but I am a paying patient at the practice who deserves care. I'm bleeding and in pain, and no one would see me or talk to me. I understand there's maybe nothing you can do to stop it, but I have no idea what's going on and I have questions about what's happening to me that no one would take the time to answer. Because of the rotation of doctors, there is also no continuity of care. Maybe if you have a straightforward pregnancy this practice would be okay, but they made me feel so alone and uncared for.
